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Thyroid results... All fine or not?

31 replies

tethersend · 05/08/2015 16:33

They're within normal parameters, but I just feel so sluggish and... meh.

T4 = 13.7
TSH = 1.57

Do these results seem ok, or should I push the issue a bit further with the GP?

OP posts:
Handsup · 11/08/2015 09:11

It was a fasting test & done in the afternoon.
I was deficient in D a couple years ago but since supplementing in large doses it has shot up to 141! Range 50 - 200. I was low in ferritin too (15) & since taking iron has also shot up to 331! (I'll be laying off the iron now).
I've now been refered to a rheumatologist & neurologist - so in terms of investigating my GP
is looking out for me.
I've had autoimmune tests too, not sure what's left to test for tbh.
I have ankylosing spondylitis but these symptoms seem completely unrelated.

Clarella · 12/08/2015 15:55

Tbh hands up you could try a higher dose - nearer the 1 or 0.5 tsh mark. Either extra 25 or 25 every other day.

Wow to those scores! I panicked at a ferritin on 130!

You sound very autoimmune though with AS too. Is that under control? Tested for coeliac etc?

ColeslawSandwich · 18/08/2015 14:37

Could I ask what dose of the Thai Thyroid-S you take per day? Thanks

itsonlysubterfuge · 20/08/2015 09:28

when my GP tested my thyroid, he only did a test for TSH and didn't bother with T4, is that normal?

My TSH was 2.4 and the range was a similar range as the others, can't remember exactly, but the GP said it was exactly in the middle so it was perfect and it couldn't be any better.

Clarella · 20/08/2015 10:25

Yes it could be better if you still feel symptoms. It could be at the bottom of the range and you will be fine if not feel much better.

The GP has overlooked the fact that In a normal thyroid some t3 is made directly (about 20% of the total). The rest is converted in tissues and the liver from t4. T3 is difficult to test as it varies during the day with a short half life, t4 has a long half life and is a bit more stable during the day. T4 is easier to administer but therefore we need a little more to accommodate the lack of our own t3 (t3 is what is actually used by the body, as well as t2 and t1, t4 is really a pro hormone).

To accommodate the conversion it helps if ferritin, vit d etc are all really good too.

Therefore most patients need a complete suppression of tsh to feel well and have a good supply of enough t3.

This is clearly explained in the BMA book understanding thyroid disorders by Dr A Toft. We should be aiming for the lower ref range - 0.3 is fine if you feel ok at that level and t4 in upper, around 20-22 (I think). You should take the pill after a blood test and have the tests roughly the same time in the morning. (An endocrinologist told me this)

I found buying the book (recommended here!) and showing my GP really helpful.

Toft even says that ideally we need a treatment that includes t4 and t3, it is available but can be tricky as the t3 has to be taken frequently. Some find they get too buzzy on it as well.

I'm finding that, after slowly getting my ferritin and vit d really good, and getting the tsh to about 0.5, and slowly building up my strength etc again I'm well like this.,

Clarella · 20/08/2015 10:28

I was really feeling shit with tsh 2.5, low vit d and low ferritin. I was actually loosing muscle and got to the point I couldn't lift my arm off my chest. The pain was horrendous. But
GPs said "oh that's ok" even though I said I'm usually best when it's lower than that.

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