Blood Tests NOT T4

[SnowQueenOne]

Hi all

Just looking for a bit of a steer.

I was diagnosed with Graves' Disease in 2021 but as of now not on any medication, i couldn't tolerate Carbimazole as it made me very unwell.

My last tests in around June 2022 with my endocrinologist showed my graves disease antibodies were very weak and things had levelled off.

At that point she asked my GP to test regularly but this hasn't happened at all.

I've just had some bloods done at the request of my Cardiologist who asked my GP to keep a close eye on my thyroid function and noticed on the bloods form the GP (not my usual one) stated NOT T4.

Appreciate I'm not clinically trained and of the impression everything needs testing to get a true picture of thyroid health but why would T4 not be tested?

Hope that makes sense! Thanks

[pennyannie]

Hey there again - SnowQueenOne :

You'll probably find this reply pops up on the Thyroid Uk forum as we tend to end up over there where there are very many more forum members able to offer support and advice.

It is my understanding that Graves can be life threatening if not medicated - and generally if Carbimazole is not well tolerated the alternative Anti Thyroid drug - Propylthiouracil - PTU - is prescribed.

Do you have there your original blood test results and ranges at diagnosis of your TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 plus the antibodies found over range and positive in your first blood test ?

Graves can wax and wane throughout one's life - it is an Auto Immune disease for which there is no cure and all the AT drug does is semi block your T3 and T4 rising higher and higher while we wait for your immune system response to calm down and your thyroid recover and reset itself.

A thyroid panel - even from the doctor should initially be a TSH and Free T4 - though many of us now arrange our own thyroid blood tests as we can't get the appropriate tests run in primary care, and simply post back on the thyroid forum for an explanation of the results.

A basic thyroid function test should be a TSH+ Free T3 and a Free T4 result and range and this can be processed from just a DIY finger prick test.

If you go into Thyroid UK - the charity who supports this forum there is a whole page dedicated to Private Blood companies who can run the necessary blood tests for you plus a comprehensive explanation of all thyroid health issues.

thyroiduk.org

Hope that helps

[SnowQueenOne in reply to pennyannie]

Hi PennieAnnie

Thank you for your reply.

I wasn't offered PTU after it was discovered I couldn't tolerate Carbimazole. I can only assume that was because by that point thyroid levels had started to level off???

I'd have to go back through my emails to see if I got the original results sent through.

I'll see what the GP says and will post the results if I'm unsure. Thanks

[pennyannie in reply to SnowQueenOne]

Ok then - just to say for thyroid hormone results - you may well be in the ranges - many of us are - though still suffering symptoms of hypothyroidism - as it is more about where your T3 and T4 need to sit within the ranges that gives you back your wellness.

blood test should be a fasting one and taken by around 9.00am :

If well and without a thyroid health issue your TSH should be around 1.5/7 -

and your T4 around mid way through it's range with a Free T3 tracking at around the same or slightly lower percentage through it's range.

Too high a T3 for you and you may feel you are running too fast and a little

hyper - just as too low a level of T3 for you and you will likely be with a slowed metabolism and experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism.

The Free T3 and Free T4 need to be seen in context as it is also about the relationship between these 2 vital hormones that gives you back your wellness.

Graves antibodies can be blocking or stimulating at any given time - and may well have a bearing on your TSH reading being lower than one would expect.

[PurpleNails]

Usually doctors request TFT (thyroid function test) & the lab decides what tested. Usually TSH is runs IF abnormal FT4 follows.

See what’s tested, if insufficient arrange private test.

[SnowQueenOne in reply to PurpleNails]

Hi PurpleNails

Thank you for your response. Surgery should get the results by Thursday so will ask for a copy and take it from there. Cheers