Explanation of blood test results

[philippa1412]

Just before my doctor calls, could I please have some help regarding my results. My results a fee months back were TSH 0.5 and T4 19. My latest results are TSH 5.0 and T4 is 17. This was after a reduction in my thyroxine. Thanks for your help.

[Clutter]

Phillippa, your results TSH 0.5 and FT4 19 were good. TSH slightly below range doesn't mean you were overmedicated because your FT4 was comfortably within range. The dose reduction has caused FT4 to drop and TSH to rise. TSH 5.0 is far too high, most are comfortable with it just above or below 1.0 with FT4 in the top 75% of range. Read Dr. A. Toft's comments on dosing and thyroid blood levels in the link below. If you want a copy of the full article to show your GP email [e-mail]

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[waveylines in reply to Clutter]

I agree with Clutter.

Doc needs to reinstate your previous thyroxine dose. He is probably trying to treat you by your TSH rather then by your signs and symptoms and blood test results including Ft 4 . Sadly this is an all too familiar occurrence these days. Proff Toftsarticle may help your GP to feel more informed and ok about a TSH below the range. Otherwise you may have to seek private consultation but see what happens when you take GP through the article. Proff Toft at my last understanding is Chairman of the Endocrinoogy Society so holds a fair bit of weight.

[philippa1412 in reply to waveylines]

Thanks for both the replies. I think part of the problem re the levothyroxine dose is that on a higher dose I have great trouble sleeping. I guess trying two days of 75 mcg and 1 day 100mcg may help. Going fully on to 100mcg also gave me quite a lot of palpitations and twitches.

[waveylines]

Ah ha -yes if you weren't sleeping that could be the case -though under medication can have the same effect strangely. Do you have the refence rsngescforvyour blood tests -they are usually in brackets next to the results. This would be helpful to work out how high your ft4is in the range. Ranges can vary from different labs.

[philippa1412]

I will have to get print out from the surgery. They have just told me over the phone.

[waveylines in reply to philippa1412]

Yeah -ask the receptionist for print out. Always a good idea to ask for them every time they have tested you and then keep a file with them in. I write the dose I was taking on them if it doesn't say. Makes useful reading back in the long run & can help in working out the dosage that works for you, alongside trends such increasing hypo or the other way!

[silverfox7]

Agree with both Clutter and waveylines, you need the higher dose. Doctors are so frightened on making you hyper so I can see why they do this though don't agree. I know we often make very small increases till we find a dose we feel good on but sometimes I wonder whether there is any mileage in creeping up till you are hyper then dropping back till we reach the hopefully sweet spot. Would that be a positive beneficial move? I don't know. I suppose it's difficult to do as we are often not even tested for FT3 which we are told we must never go above range. I suppose someone somewhere has set these ranges but can't remember ever knowing how or why.