Explanation of thyroid test results. Can anyone... - Thyroid UK

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Explanation of thyroid test results. Can anyone help?

Josiah150767 profile image
11 Replies

Hi all,

I’m new to this forum, and glad that I have joined. I have lupus and was diagnosed with an under active thyroid in 2013. I was initially put on 50 mcg of levothroxine which did initially help some of my weight gain come off, but not with some of my other symptoms, feeling cold and very dry hair, so then put up to 75mcg, but still very dry hair and the past year, I have been noticing harder to keep my weight down. I eat very healthy and I definitely don’t overeat. I had my pineal gland checked a couple of years ago as my gp was slightly unsure of my results, but test results came back ok. My thyroid function test results from may last year were TSH-0.21 with a free T3 of 6.7 and free T4 of 12.0. My latest results while still on 75mcg were T4 and T3 are now both normal at 11.4 and 3.4 respectively with a TSH of 0.10. My rheumatologist sent me a copy of these results in a letter as I’ve moved down south. She has written to Endocrinology for advice as she is slightly unsure of what to make of these results. My apologies for long winded question. Can anyone offer any advice?

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11 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

I'm afraid we need the ranges for those results to make any sense of them. Ranges vary from lab to lab - sometimes, quite wildly!

Have you had your antibodies tested? Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies? If your results are swinging around you could have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - aka Autoimmune Thyroiditis. :)

Josiah150767 profile image
Josiah150767 in reply togreygoose

Hi

Thankyou for reply. This unfortunately is the only information I have. I am looking to get private testing. I am due to see my rheumatologist so I’m going to enquire for more info.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toJosiah150767

Who did these tests? Couldn't you ring them and ask for the ranges?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

As you have Lupus it’s highly likely your hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s

hss.edu/conditions_top-ten-...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/213...

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Please add the ranges on TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 results

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many patients need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 is in top third of range and FT3 at least half way through range

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also note what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

Josiah150767 profile image
Josiah150767 in reply toSlowDragon

Hi slow dragon.

I am going to get tested privately. I feel my gp isn’t much help. I thought it was due to lupus, but my consultant has never mentioned hashimotos. In letter from rheumatologist results also show that B12, folate and ferritin normal. I take vitamin D 1000iu as my vit D levels were low. I will ask my gp to test for vitamins and antibodies. Many thanks

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toJosiah150767

Do you have the actual results and ranges of folate, ferritin and B12

How low was vitamin D ?

Vitamin D may still be low on 1000iu

GP will often only prescribe vitamin D to bring levels to 50nmol. Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...

NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required

ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...

But improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Test twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function. There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7

It’s trial and error what dose we need with hashimoto’s we frequently need higher dose than average

Government recommends everyone supplement October to April

gov.uk/government/news/phe-...

Josiah150767 profile image
Josiah150767 in reply toSlowDragon

Hi slowdragon

To be honest I don’t have those, but I will find out. I am awaiting appointment with rheumatologist . When I was diagnosed I was prescribed Levothyroxine and pretty much left to get on with it. I will post my results when I get them. Thankyou for your help and knowledge.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toJosiah150767

Most recent results...Ft4 and Ft3 both look very low assuming typical blood test range

....but different labs have different ranges...so you need the ranges on those results.

Josiah150767 profile image
Josiah150767 in reply toSlowDragon

Hi

Would I get that info on my medical records? And also private testing, should I have the test that does the full spectrum? Thankyou

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toJosiah150767

Test results from Rheumatologist should include ranges ....See if you can find them

But you need to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing anyway

Make sure to get blood test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Josiah150767 profile image
Josiah150767 in reply toSlowDragon

Will do, many thanks

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