Thyroid Levels

[teyris]

How often do you have your thyroid checked? Do your results vary? My last result was 0.313 but my doctor said it was "normal" Should you have your blood test at a certain time of day depending on when you take your medication? Any advice most welcome. Thanks

[marram]

Hi there, teyris. I suspect that when you say 'thyroid levels' you are referring to your TSH level, which is, of course, not a thyroid hormone, but a pituitary hormone. It is at its highest in the morning, so the best time to have that checked is first thing. That is true whenever you take your medication. The reverse is true for the thyroid hormones T4 and T3. They are at their lowest in the morning, so again morning is the best time to test.

There are different views as to whether you should take your thyroxine when you have a blood test. If you decide to wait until after your test, remember you have to take it well away from food, to make sure it is absorbed properly.

If you are stable and on a regular dose with no changes, every six months is adequate, or even once a year, but if you feel you need an increase or a decrease, you should have another test about 4-6 weeks after any changes to see how it has affected your levels.

Have you asked the GP to test more than just the TSH? It would help you so much more to know how your levels are. It can be a challenge to get the T3 but the T4 should not be too much of a hassle.

Marie XX

[teyris]

this is my levels from when first diagnosed

1 June 2009 9.91 TSH 11.2 T4

16 June 2009 5.9 15.8 75mg Levothyroxine

3 Sept 2009 4.09 100mg

17 Oct 2009 0.8

11 Jan 2010 3.2

15 Mar 2010 0.12 24

17 May 2010 0.121 18.7

18 Aug 2010 0.036 23.6 125mg

18 Feb 2011 0.025 26.5

8 Apr 2011 0.2 17.8

5 Aug 2011 0.054 22.8 100mg one day 125mg the next day

28 Oct 2011 0.5 100mg

27 Jan 2012 0.9

20 Apr 2012 1.37

12 Oct 2012 1.01

30 Nov 2012 0.41

15 Mar 2013 0.319

24 May 2013 0.313 20.8

October last year I went to the doctors as i felt really poorly. I had no energy, my hair had started coming out loads again, I had palpitations and my face across my nose and under my eyes was swollen. I also had thrush in my mouth that had started when I was on holiday and because it had happened the year before as well I thought I had better find out what had caused it. It was a totally wasted trip. My doctor said that he would see what my results were and then think about the swelling. When I got my results he said they were fine including the diabetes test he had done so I said to him what about the swelling and his response was 'thats just you'!! I was so annoyed I didnt know what to say and have never seen that doctor since. They wont do the T3 and only do T4 sometimes as you can see from my results. One doctor I saw who was really helpful asked for it and even phoned the lab when they didnt do it and they said that because I was within in 'normal' range they wouldnt do it. They also wont refer me to an Endo for the same reason. I am feeling a lot better in myself now but have found out this year that I have an arrythmia so am on medication for that while they find out what is causing it so that could also have added to why I felt so poorly.

I have researched what I can on the internet and was recommended a book 'Your Thyroid and How to Keep it Healthy by Dr Barry Durrant-Peatfield' by my chiropractor who I turned to when the doctor wasnt helping me. It was very informative. I just cant believe that with Hypo being so common that doctors know so little.

Sorry I am moaning now

Not sure what you can tell from my results but my chiropractor says my level shoudnt change if my dose of Levo is correct.

thanks for getting back to me

K