Can anyone help me to interpret my thyroid function blood test results please? Came back as normal - no action.

[Nickster]

Hello, I went to see my GP recently with a whole range of symptoms which I put down to perhaps having an underactive thyroid. She carried out a blood test and the results have come back as normal - no action. My results were:

Serum free T4 level 13.0 pmol/L range = 12.00 - 22 pmol/L

Serum TSH level 2.23 mu/L range = 0.30 - 4.20 mu/L

Unfortunately I didn't have my T3 tested.

I am just not sure how to interpret the results. They look normal but what do they actually mean. I can't get a GP appointment for another 3 weeks to discuss the results in detail.

Many thanks for your help.

[Hidden]

Welcome Nickster. The first thing to remember is that a Dr's normal simply means within a lab range. It doesn't necessarily mean you are well or without symptoms. Your T4 is very low - top quartile is what we are looking to achieve and in your range that would be over 17. Your TSH level is higher than many of us might feel well at, and aim for at or below 1.0. Mine is actually suppressed (below range).

Prior to being diagnosed as being hypothyroid other issues become apparent and it's recommended you ask for folate, ferritin, vit B12 and Vit D to be tested too as they can be low.

[Nickster]

Thank you Hypnoteq. I tick quite a lot of the symptoms for underactive thyroid and I know that going through the menopause (as I am) has an impact on thyroid function. I guess I am looking to arm myself with as much information as possible before I go back to see the GP.

[Hidden in reply to Nickster]

Hi Nickster, just a quick point, to reply to a post, first click on the yellow reply button otherwise no message is sent that you are replying to that person

[Nickster in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. Am obviously new to this!

[Hidden in reply to Nickster]

Not a problem, just didn't want you to be wondering why you've not received a response.

[shaws Administrator]

Hypnoteq has given good advice. Nowadays, GPs don't know or recognise clinical symptoms and have been told to diagnose only on the TSH. They are told to wait till the TSH reaches 10 and some people may take years to reach that magic number.

Some links from Thyroiduk.org

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...

Also look on the l/hand side of the column and read "About the Thyroid" and "Related Conditions". Also look for signs and symptoms which you can fill in.

If you have another thyroid gland blood test get the earliest appointment as the TSH is highest then.

[Nickster]

Thank you. I have printed these off in preparation for my next GP appointment.

[Clutter]

Nickster, don't be fobbed off by being told your symptoms are probably menopausal, ask for a blood test to confim it. Menopause often triggers hypothyroidism but it is unlikely that'll you'll get treatment until your TSH is >5 unless you can convince your GP that a trial of Levothyroxine could be beneficial in relieving your symptoms.

[Nickster in reply to Clutter]

I have had blood tests which have confirmed I am menopausal. Will try to get an earlier GP appointment and hopefully make some progress. Sounds like it could be an uphill battle if bloods for thyroid levels are "normal".