Lab Results

Question

Hello, I am hoping someone can help me with recent testing. I take Cyromel .25 and Synthroid .75.  Before I had my blood work, my doctor told me to stop the Cytomel for a day or two as it could mess up  the results.  I am curious to find out how others are tested.  Do you stop your Cytomel?  While my TSH looks fine my t3 and t4 seem low to me
Thank you, Dee

My TSH         .511     (.350-5.500)
Free T3        2.31      (2.30 - 420
Free T4           .9      (.06 - 1.8)

gimel · Accepted Answer

Our usual recommendation is to hold off on any T3 meds the morning before the blood draw.  That is because T3 builds up so quickly that taking it before can cause false high readings.  I think two days is too long, and would give a false low result.  On the other hand, there is no good reason to hold back on T4 meds the morning of the blood draw because T4 is much slower acting.

So, I would say that your Free T4 is too low in the range.  Midrange is a good target.  Free T3 needs to be increased as necessary to relieve symptoms.  So if you are having any symptoms, please tell us about them.  

Also, just for info, TSH frequently becomes suppressed when taking significant doses of thyroid meds.  That does not mean you become hyper, unless you do have hyper symptoms, due to excessive levels of Free T3 and Free T4.  TSH is almost useless when already taking thyroid med, so don't ever let a doctor convince you differently and try to change your meds/dosages based on TSH.

Dee1956 · Answer

Thank you so much, I will get tested
Dee

gimel · Answer

Some further info that might be helpful to you.  Hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.  That is because hypothyroidism reduces stomach acid and thus, affects absorption of vitamins and nutrients.  So it would be good to test for those.  D needs to be around the middle of its range.  B12 should be in the upper end of its range, and ferritin should be around 70 minimum for women.  A deficiency in either can result in symptoms.  Also affects how thyroid hormone is metabolized.

Dee1956 · Answer

Hello, thank you so much for your answer.  When I first started the Cytomel 10 years ago, my doctor told me to stop taking if for 5 days as it could give me a very odd result.
This time he said I only needed to stop it for a day.  I did not stop the Synthroid....just the Cytomel.

I am actually feeling pretty good, but I am losing hair and my nails are crumbling so that was why he tested me.

Thank you again, I really appreciate your response and also the previous reply to another person, it really helped me.
Dee

Lab Results

Thyroid and Tinnitus

Should I increase my T4, T3 medication or both?

Opinions about my bloodwork results please.

FT3 Won't Budge

Thyroid and Tinnitus

Should I increase my T4, T3 medication or both?

Opinions about my bloodwork results please.

FT3 Won't Budge

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