Help with new blood results

[vickylou36]

Have recieved my blood results this morning from my blue horizon finger prick test. Total T4 and thyroid peroxidase antibodies couldn't be done as not enough blood so they are sending me more viles to do them again. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Well, I like to do it very early in the morning and preferably straight out of bed when I am nice and warm. You could try taking a drink of water before you start, I've heard of washing your hands in warm / hot water.

Make sure you use the little elastic band you get in the kit. I am testing my blood sugar before and after meals at the moment (long story!) and doing that I have discovered some fingers are easier to get blood from than others. My best fingers are ring finger and little finger on both hands, I find it best to prick it slightly to the side of the pad but not too close to the fingernail. I also find it better if I stand up.

I think it is better if you put the lancet at the place you want to punch your finger, hold it firmly then shut your eyes and 'surprise' yourself, that way the lancet will hopefully go in a bit deeper, you might be jumping just as you press it because you are expecting it to happen and the lancet might not be going in deeply enough. Either that or ask someone to do it for you that might work.

Hopefully some of that will help.

[vickylou36 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thanks for the tips and I will definitely get someone to help next time.

[Clutter]

Vickylou36, thyroglobulin antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). Total T4 isn't a useful test, Free T4 (T4) is a better guide. Unless you particularly want to know the level of thyroid peroxidase antibodies you could skip the TPOab and T4 testing. 100% gluten-free diet may reduce Hashi flares, symptoms and antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

TSH is low in range and FT4 mildly over range. Unless you feel overmedicated there's no need to reduce dose as FT3 is less than half way through range and reducing dose will cause FT3 to drop. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

CRP is an inflammation marker but is non-specific about where and what is causing inflammation. Autoimmune antibodies can cause inflammation. Your GP could do a full blood count to check it out.

Ferritin is low in range. 70-100 is optimal. Supplement iron taken with 500mg-1,000mg vitamin C to aid absorption and minimise constipation. Take iron 4 hours away from Levothyroxine and retest 4-6 months after you start supplementing.

B12 is sub optimal. PA Society recommend 1,000 as optimal. Supplement 1,000mcg methylcobalamin and take a B Complex vitamin to keep the other B vits balanced. High folate isn't a problem unless B12 is very low.

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I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[vickylou36 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you Clutter I started taking the Jarrow B12 again Friday. My doctor refuses to supplement my iron and I am a bit nervous about doing it myself but I will look into it.

My levothyroinxe was increased from 100 to 125mg 3- 4 weeks ago and I have been having anxiety quite bad could this be a sign that I am over medicated? I was thinking of dropping the back down to 100mg should I speak to my doctor about this first.

Thanks

[Jazzw in reply to vickylou36]

Did you take your levothyroxine before the test? If so, how many hours before?

It might be reading artificially high if it hadn't been very long...

[vickylou36 in reply to Jazzw]

Hi Jazzw I did the finger prick test first thing before taking my levothyroinxe.

Vicky