Re: recent blood test results via GP.

[Guest guest]

My T4 was 26.5, whereas the GP says that the norm should be 11 to 24. My T3 was 14.8 whereas he says that it should be 3.9 to 6.8. My TSH is less than 0.01, when it should be 0.035 - 4.5. He is concerned about osteoporosis if this continues.Hello Vicki,

Let me have a guess....- you took your Armour on the morning of the blood draw ? ... If you had just taken your Armour a few hours before the blood draw, that would most certainly explain your results and if so, please tell your GP not to worry – everything is fine. Those FT results look artificially high. To get valid TFT figures you need to stop your Armour for about 24 hours.

If, however, you had not taken your medication on the morning of the blood draw, then you'd indeed be overmedicated and would need to reduce your dosage ASAP.

Don't worry about your TSH. It is suppressed, but this is perfectly normal for a patient on Armour (or any kind of NDT). For as long as your FT4 and FT3 are within their respective ref ranges, your bones will not crumble as a result of a suppressed TSH.

Also, I have tried to obtain the Armour in the UK, but hear that now it is not available, even on prescription.This is correct. It is now no longer possible to obtain Armour on prescription in the UK. You will have to buy it directly from an International pharmacy, as the US pharmacies are for some reason no longer allowed to supply European pharmacies with Armour. You will not be able to get Armour anywhere here in the UK.

With best wishes,

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much! You have set my mind at rest!

>

>

> My T4 was 26.5, whereas the GP says that the norm should be 11 to 24. My

> T3 was 14.8 whereas he says that it should be 3.9 to 6.8. My TSH is less

> than 0.01, when it should be 0.035 - 4.5. He is concerned about

> osteoporosis if this continues.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

- my TSH is suppressed and my T3 and T4 level are both higher than the

reference range Not by loads but they are higher. I see Dr S and he says for me

this is fine and not to worry. Are you self treating?

Dawn M

>

>

> My T4 was 26.5, whereas the GP says that the norm should be 11 to 24. My

> T3 was 14.8 whereas he says that it should be 3.9 to 6.8. My TSH is less

> than 0.01, when it should be 0.035 - 4.5. He is concerned about

> osteoporosis if this continues.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, I am self-treating, but on the advice of Dr. P.

>

>

> Hi,

>

> - my TSH is suppressed and my T3 and T4 level are both higher than the

reference range Not by loads but they are higher. I see Dr S and he says for me

this is fine and not to worry. Are you self treating?

>

> Dawn M

>

>

>

>

> >

> >

> > My T4 was 26.5, whereas the GP says that the norm should be 11 to 24. My

> > T3 was 14.8 whereas he says that it should be 3.9 to 6.8. My TSH is less

> > than 0.01, when it should be 0.035 - 4.5. He is concerned about

> > osteoporosis if this continues.

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I thought other forms of natural dessicated thyroid were available though which

you might find just as effective. Isn't that the case?

Miriam

> Also, I have tried to obtain the Armour in the UK, but hear that now it is not

available, even on prescription.

> This is correct. It is now no longer possible to obtain Armour on

> prescription in the UK.

[Guest guest]

Did you take your thyroid hormone replacement on the morning you

had your blood drawn for the thyroid function tests. If you did, then this will

give a flawed reading as the T3 in Armour peaks in the blood between 2 to 4 hours

after taking it so your free T3 would have shown up as very high in the range,

if not above the top of the range. Your TSH would naturally have shown up as completely

suppressed, because TSH is only secreted by the pituitary gland when it

recognises there is insufficient thyroid hormone in the blood. Because you have

loads of thyroid hormone circulating in the blood, there is absolutely no need

whatsoever for any TSH, so it is right that it would remain completely

suppressed. Unfortunately, NHS doctors are not taught about the differences

between blood test results for those on levothyroxine and those taking some

form of T4/T3 combination therapy, either synthetic or natural.

If your GP is concerned, ask if you can go and do another blood

test before you have taken any form of thyroid hormone that day and he will see

your results will drop, probably by as much as half. The TSH will remain

suppressed, that is natural, and is of no concern whatsoever for anybody taking

NDT. Stop the thyroid hormone preferably 24 hours before the test, and take the

thyroid hormone with you so that you can take it immediately the blood has been

drawn.

Tell him how well you feel, that this is your decision and that

under 'The Duties of a Doctor' registered with the GMC that he should listen

and work with his patient and that you are happy for him to continue " to

humour " you whilst you are making yourself fit and well again. He should

NOT be treating bits of paper, he should be treating you.

Armour is not available in the UK now as the manufacturer has

stopped exporting it to Europe and the UK so those doctors previously

prescribing it for their patients should change the prescription to the

Canadian licensed NDT Erfa 'Thyroid' and , Westhroid or Nature Throid if their

patients don't do well on T4p-0nly. You can, however, still purchase\se Armour

Thyroid and other forms of NDT from the reputable Internet Pharmacies we

recommend in our Files section.

Luv - Sheila

The GP has now just phoned me as he is concerned about my thyroid levels and so

I wonder if you could give me some advice please? My T4 was 26.5, whereas the

GP says that the norm should be 11 to 24. My T3 was 14.8 whereas he says that

it should be 3.9 to 6.8. My TSH is less than 0.01, when it should be 0.035 -

4.5. He is concerned about osteoporosis if this continues.