Been to doc and getting blood re-tests done;mainly asking;does the time of month affect thyroid tests in any great way(in women,obviously!).

[cloud1]

Been to doc ask for thyroid retest(was due;every 6mnths)this time also asked for T3.and retest vitd;was v low.(i have been suppmenting higher doses)and ferritin(as was 50 last time).dont know if i should bother retest calcium(forgot to ask)as it was in higher end range last time(6months ago).Do docs test for magnesium(i didnt think of ask that either!)Another test forgot to ask retest blood glucose level(was on higher end last time);is it important?Also forgot B12 but last time doc said dont test it directly,as it were.

Also,i just realised that my period is due ,the day after the blood tests(this Mon);is this a good idea to test at that time of month;i mean,how does cycle effect tsh etc?Was think mite be better wait till after period ,when i am usually at my worst (health)cos thyroid n ferritin levels could show up worse at that time maybe?(also cos i need my thyroid levels be at worst;more of a chance of showing how seriously ill i am;cos last tsh mid-range so they wont med;even tjough i have v high antibodies and severe symptoms for yrs...)My health is affected so much at the 'time of month';wk prior to period i am more prone to depression/stress but also am a bit 'hyperactive',and temp goes up a bit(about half a °C)so am even wondering if am actually abit hyperthyroid,at that time.After the period i usually get heart discomfort with weak left arm, lower temp,constipation..,also joint discomfort..(worse hypo symptoms).So,i knoe that the cycle makes a big difference to my state of health..Any advice appreciated.

[Aurealis]

My GP told me that oestrogen and thyroxine share the same carrier protein and that if oestrogen rises it can displace T4 so free T4 rises. Then when oestrogen falls T4 is taken back up to carrier protein so free T4 falls. I have had test results close together that we're very different. So I think you're right that it might make a difference but if you have the test when oestrogen is at its lowest in cycle you'll get the lowest T4. I think it's at its lowest just before and at beginning of a period. However I gave up trying to convince them with blood tests years ago as they're unpredictable and useless. Prepare what you want to say in advance, make a list of your symptoms and tell GP how you're feeling. And return again to repeat it if not successful first time. Think it's best to always seem GP so they know they're going to have to treat you properly else you'll keep returning. Good luck

[shaws Administrator]

Re antibodies - this is what Dr Toft says in a Pulse Online article:-

The combination of a normal serum T4 and raised serum TSH is known as subclinical hypothyroidism. If measured, serum T3 will also be normal. Repeat the thyroid function tests in two or three months in case the abnormality represents a resolving thyroiditis.2

But if it persists then antibodies to thyroid peroxidase should be measured. If these are positive – indicative of underlying autoimmune thyroid disease – the patient should be considered to have the mildest form of hypothyroidism.

In the absence of symptoms some would simply recommend annual thyroid function tests until serum TSH is over 10mU/l or symptoms such as tiredness and weight gain develop. But a more pragmatic approach is to recognise that the thyroid failure is likely to become worse and try to nip things in the bud rather than risk loss to follow-up.

Treatment should be started with levothyroxine in a dose sufficient to restore serum TSH to the lower part of its reference range. Levothyroxine in a dose of 75-100µg daily will usually be enough.

[cloud1]

Thanks.Thats interesting /useful about the oestrogen affecting t4 levels(i knew that period must affect thyroid hormones as i am so much more ill at that time.)I've been v ill with Hashis for many many years;high antibodies were detected many yrs ago;but the gps are adamant that if t4 and tsh r in range i dont have hypothyroidism yet,and just say retest every 6months.In the meantime my life has been all but destroyed by this insidious illness.I am resolved to self-med this yr if gp still refuse after this test.Thing is,i have read recently that hypo and hyper symptoms can be the same and i wonder if i am actually hyper now.when i started testing thyroid ,about 6yrs ago(tjough i began feel ill when i was preg 14yrs ago)the tsh was higher than its been in past couple of yrs so i wonder if i am going from hypo to hyper.Its all so complicated.One things for sure;thyroid tests r NOT always reliable as an indication of thyroid disease.I have slipped through the net;big time.What does dr.Toft say about having severe symptoms but tsh and T4 in range;with v high antibodies?