Some advice about blood test results please.

[knitwitty]

Hi I recently posted about the best time to have bloods taken and followed the advice given i.e early morning before food.

I have got a copy of my results but it looks as though everything is well within the normal range so I am now despairing as I feel awful. I am constantly cold, basal temp ranging from 35.0- 35.9 I have been taking it daily for the last 4 weeks.

Average daily temperatures just below or around 36.

Skin as dry as sandpaper, hair brittle and very dry ( hairdresser commented on it when I had it cut a couple of weeks back).

Scalloped tongue, extreme tiredness, brain fog, I could go on.

I should add that I have a strong family history of under active thyroid problems on both maternal and paternal (mother + two of her sisters, fathers side three sisters).

I am 54 and have gone through the menopause.

My cholesterol has been steadily rising , although not measured on this occasion.

Bloods as follows:

serum TSH 2.04mU/L (0.30-5.0)

serum fT4 16.6pmol/L(11.0-23.0)

serum vit B12 534 ng/L (172-1162)

serum folate 7.1 ug/L (4.6- 18.7)

I was supposed to have ferritin levels measured bit D checked and the thyroid antibodies checked in addition but they appear not to have been done, they were on the blood form, I will have to call in to the surgery tomorrow to find out if they forgot to give me that sheet.

I have another appointment with my GP next week, I am not sure how that will go as he was sure that I was exhibiting all the signs of a thyroid condition when I originally saw him a few weeks back.

I am hoping that someone might be able to shed some light on why I feel so rotten.

I have other blood results but all appear about mid range.

[joyce59]

hi when i had my antibodies checked they took longer to come back than the tsh and t4.

[knitwitty in reply to joyce59]

Thanks for that.

[Clutter]

Knitywitty, Cholesterol rises in hypothyroid patients. It should drop when you are optimally medicated.

It takes 7/8 days for Levothyroxine to be absorbed and up to 6 weeks for the full impact of the starting dose to be felt and start working on your metabolism and symptoms. You feel rotten because the Levothyroxine has only just started working and because symptoms can lag behind good bloods by a couple of months.

There is room for a dose increase with TSH 2.0 and FT4 16.6. The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status and or most that will be when TSH is just above or below 1.0 and FT4 high in range. Read Dr. Toft's comments in Treatment Options in the link below. Email [e-mail] to a request a full copy of the Pulse article to show your GP if you want a dose increase.

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

You're unlikely to have B12 deficiency with B12 >500 but supplementing methylcobalamin sublingual lozenges, spray or patches until it is at the top of range may increase energy. You should also take a B Complex vitamin with B12 as it keeps the other B vitamins balanced and should improve your folate.

VitD results can take up to 2 weeks to come back.

[knitwitty in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter thanks for replying.

Sorry I didn't make it clear I am not on levothyroxine,I go back to see my doctor next week and feel sure that he will not prescribe any medication as I appear "normal".

I do however feel very unwell.

When I first visited him he seemed to think I had an under active thyroid based on symptoms alone.

[Clutter in reply to knitwitty]

Knitwitty, I really ought to check whether members are on medication before I reply

Symptoms can precede abnormal bloods by years so it is quite likely you have hypothyroid symptoms but it is very unlikely you will get treatment until your TSH is >5.0.

You could try supplementing 200mcg selenium or Nutri-Thyroid which is a thyroid supplement as they can improve thyroid function.

[Clutter]

Knitwitty, I've edited this post to be readable by 'everyone' and will delete your duplicate post. 'Everyone' is viewable on the internet by non-members. 'Community' means only members belonging to HU Thyroid UK can read your posts.

You can edit your own posts by clicking on the v down arrow underneath your post, selecting edit and clicking on the orange Edit response button when you've made your changes.

[knitwitty in reply to Clutter]

Thank you as you have probably already guessed I am a bit of a novice.

[Clutter in reply to knitwitty]

Knitwitty, 'twas easier for members when the stoopid v down arrow clearly said Edit prior to a site change last year.

Techies don't get it that we don't always get what symbols are for

[knitwitty in reply to Clutter]

Thanks again for your help, as I am going to see the GP again next week, and if he agreed to give me a trial of levo based on symptoms would it harm me?

I am waiting to see if I have thyroid antibodies as I believe those results may take longer, in addition to Vit D status

[Clutter in reply to knitwitty]

Knitwitty,

It won't harm you just because bloods aren't abnormal and if a trial is offered and helps resolve symptoms it means you do need it.

Bite his arm off if he offers a trial of Levothyroxine but please don't get your hopes up, I think with your unequivocally normal bloods it is unlikely to be offered.

[knitwitty in reply to Clutter]

Thanks again, I forgot to mention that I am having a scan on my thyroid next week as the Dr also thought I might be developing a goitre.

I appreciate your comments and keep you updated.

[Clutter in reply to knitwitty]

Knitwitty, goitre can develop when the thyroid is struggling to produce thyroid hormone. Your GP sounds proactive and helpful.

[knitwitty in reply to Clutter]

Thanks for everything I will post more if I find out anything new, I am shattered and off to bed.

I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.