Can you be hypo with 1.89 TSH and 17.1 FT4? These were considered normal but are at the higher end of the scale and I have classic symptoms.

[London_Lady]

The past six months I have felt tired, had very dry, lifeless hair and dry skin (most noticeably my constantly peeling lips, even in the summer). I have also recently had a bout of unexplained anxiety which leads me to believe an underactive thyroid may be responsible. Sorry, I don't have the lab ranges for my results but according to this website both readings are on the higher side which may not be my normal even if some people with the same levels don't have symptoms. I also had my blood tests done in the afternoon which makes the results seem even higher than they should be. On one section of this site it says over 2 TSH means you're hypo but then on another section of this site it says the range can be up to 4.5 TSH. I'm a little confused, help! I have a GP appointment in the morning and don't know how to encourage my GP to investigate further without seeming like a hypochondriac.

[silverfox7]

In my opinion the easy answer is yes! You really need the fuller picture of a FT3 result but you could not be converting your T4 which is inactive to T3 which is the active bit. This could be because your vitamin and mineral levels are to low so you must also ask for iron/ferritin, Folate, B12, and Vitamin D to be tested. These need to be optimum, not just in the range. Selenium also aids conversion. Then make sure your GP gives you the results and ranges-the ranges differ from lab to lab. Post them on here and I'm sure you will get a lot of helpful suggestions. Good luck with your GP

[Jackie in reply to silverfox7]

I meant to say, always have a print out with bloods + ranges, as lots differ, it is fine to use different Labs but essential to always have the ranges.

Jackie

[GeorgieB in reply to silverfox7]

Good luck mostt GP's think we're hypochondriacs

[Jackie]

Hi I think the answer may be ,what is your Free T3? If that is really low, it would account for everything. at the T4 of 17.1, unless your range is higher than the usual max 22, without treatment , I have to agree, that you do not need any.However, if you feel ill, I am convinced that you are probably not converting the T4 to free T3 as your body should. This is common. Normally not on treatment you would expect a much lower T4. If GP cannot do the free T3 test, use a reliable on line Lab, that the GP will recognise. However, do not go through a private hospital an, expensive., venous or finger prick on Blue horizon site, quote TUK 10 for a discount. Also you need to have the TSH and T4 done at the same time, always ask for a print out with ranges as differ. £60-£"70 for the 3 tests.

As my NHS can no longer do Free T3, my GP will fill the phial, from the company at the same time as having my other non thyroid tests done. do in fact have all 3 done at the Lab, by choice, that way.. If you are on Beta Blockers, take after the test as they give a false result ( as do thyroid meds)

You also need tests for vit D ( hormonal)., if low corrected calcium before treatment, script, retests 4 months on treatment. Iron/ferritin needs to be clearly in range, if give some , ie low , retest 4 months.B12+ foliates, need to be high in range and Diabetes.These are hormonal autoimmune and can be the problem , or make thyroid worse etc.

Best wishes,

Jackie

I do not expect you know, to reply to a certain post, click on "Reply to this" under that post..

[hpfan123]

How long have you been experiencing the symptoms? Have you had any other tests done because it could be a number of things causing them symptoms.

[Terricotta]

Hi LondonLady

How old are you, if i may ask?

[London_Lady]

Thank you all very much for your replies, I genuinely appreciate the time you have taken in your responses and the suggestions for tests and possibly causes of my symptoms you have made.

I saw my GP on Friday and, unfortunately as I expected, he just said my thyroid tests were "normal" so that couldn't be to blame for my anxiety and physical symptoms and that was the end of the conversation. My GP is one of the better ones so I'm not saying he's incompetent but I feel like when you go to a GP having suffered with anxiety they take your health complaints less seriously and put it down to the anxiety and you being on the hypochondriac side rather than investigating further. I am far from a hypochondriac, I go to the GP maybe once a year.

For my dry skin and hair, he told me to moisturise and eat healthily and that he couldn't think of any more blood tests I could undergo (!). I suggested maybe I might have a vitamin deficiency then he said take some vitamins then which is a bit difficult if I don't know which one I'm deficient in. I do eat a balanced diet, rarely eat junk food, fried food etc. I have had the same diet for a long time and it is only in the past 9-12 months I have noticed a dramatic difference in my hair texture and skin. Another symptom I forget to mention in my first post is slow wound healing. I got an oven burn on my arm a few months ago and it is almost as red as the day I was burned. I've had similar oven burns before that healed completely relatively quickly.

My GP did a bunch of tests in the summer, ones he suggested, because I had persistent mouth ulcers, large, painful ones that would be present for weeks and wanted to rule out any serious conditions. I was tested for coeliac disease, anemia and diabetes and all were "normal" (again, I don't know the exact levels but will get a print-out soon).

I guess I will just have to wait until the New Year when I have some spare cash to do the more comprehensive thyroid blood tests privately. I'm 20 so I know statistically it is less likely than not that I have hypothyroidism (or similar) but even if it is just to eliminate it, I need to get the full picture.