What could be wrong?

[DebbieBraybrook]

Hi

I had a blood test a month or so ago.

The results were normal TSH low free thyroid. Sorry I don't have any more info such as ranges etc.

I have to get retested in a month or so.

This is all new to me and wondered if any of you had any idea what could be wrong with me.

Any help would be welcome.

Debbie

[Hidden]

Who said the results were normal? They could be anywhere in the range. You really need to get hold of a copy of your test results, you're legally entitled to these although there may be a small charge. Details here:

nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1309.aspx?...

Once you have these, start a new thread and include your symptoms. We really need more info to be able to assist!

[DebbieBraybrook in reply to Hidden]

Hi

Thanks for your reply.

I will try to get a copy of the results.

I just wondered if that was enough for you experienced sufferers to say what it was most likely to be hyper or hypo.

Just wanted an idea so that I can target my reading.

Debbie

[greygoose in reply to DebbieBraybrook]

When you say 'free thyroid', I imagine you mean FT4? If FT4 is low, then it's hypO, not hypER.

[shaws Administrator]

Your doctor wants to get you retested just to make sure that your blood test wasn't just a 'one off' as sometimes that happens.

When your next blood test is due make the appointment as early as possible and fast (you can drink water). If you were already on thyroid hormones you'd leave about 24 hours between your dose of levo and the test.

Always get a print-out of the blood test results, with the ranges for your own records and you can post if you have a query.

Ask GP to test your vitamin B12, Vit D, iron,ferritin and folate as we can be deficient. Also ask him to check thyroid antibodies as that is another type of thyroid deficiency.

If your symptoms are getting worse bring your blood test forward and follow procedure above. Getting the earliest appointment, etc allows the TSH to be at its highest as that seems to be all the doctors refer to. Don't worry as all of this will be extremely strange to you but keep reading others' posts and you will learn as you go along.

[Heloise]

Debbie, you should try to keep up with any tests that take. Your TSH should be about 1.0 when being treated but if it is above 3, you probably are hypothyroid however, they don't like to start giving you hormone unless it is over that level.

If they begin to treat you with Levothyroxine, they steadily raise your dose beginning at 25 mcgs and eventually ending up to possibly 200 mcgs. They should test FT4 and FT3 levels, but often don't. FT4 should be in the upper half of ranges and FT3 should be in the upper quarter.

Keep in mind that you may have a battle on your hands as the NHS is reluctant to be reasonable about this condition.

health.howstuffworks.com/hu...

[eeng]

Sometimes there is a pituitary problem. The pituitary should produce more TSH if your FT4 (free thyroid hormone) is low. TSH is the messenger hormone which tells the thyroid to work harder. If the pituitary is not working properly it will fail to tell your thyroid to produce more hormone. Unfortunately many doctors will not realise this could be the problem and leave people to suffer unnecessarily.

[Gwendoline1612 in reply to eeng]

Hi eeng

Is the test for the pituitary a blood test or something different ?

Thanks

😳

[eeng in reply to Gwendoline1612]

The test for pituitary problems are the full thyroid blood test (TSH, FT4 and FT3) and I think they test for prolactin too. Yes it's a blood test.

[Glynisrose]

TSH tests are no use when you are taking any form of thyroxine.

[DebbieBraybrook]

Hi all

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to answer me. Useful pointers for me.

Really grateful, very helpful.

Many thanks

Debbie