Blood tests post total thyroidectomy

[daffodilstar]

Im going for post op check up after having a total thyroidectomy last July. I take 75 Levo, and have put on 2 stone in 9 months. What specific blood tests should I ask for.?

[Clutter]

Daffodilstar,

Ask for TSH, FT4 and FT3.  If the thyroidectomy was due to cancer it may be an idea for thyroglobulin and thyroglobulin antibodies to be tested too.

[daffodilstar in reply to Clutter]

Hi, no it wasn't due to cancer, just goitres. Are these the main blood tests you would want an endo to do for you if you were feeling generally crap,  and rapid weight gain?

[Clutter in reply to daffodilstar]

Daffodilstar,

TSH, FT4 and FT3 will determine your thyroid levels and whether you are optimally medicated.

[daffodilstar in reply to Clutter]

Thank you.

[Clutter in reply to daffodilstar]

Daffodilstar,

It's also worth asking either your GP or endo to check ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate which are commonly low in hypothyroid patients and can present with hypothyroid like symptoms.

[daffodilstar in reply to Clutter]

Cheers

[KayBee57]

You need your thyroid function tests doing - thats Free T4 and TSH.  The T4 measures how much thyroxine is in your body and the TSH is the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone- those levels need to be kept below 0.1 if you had your thyroidectomy for cancer.  Good luck

Some people have low Vit D levels, you could ask for those too.

[daffodilstar in reply to KayBee57]

Thank you x

[maggykriti]

75 levothyroxine is a very small amount of thyroid hormone to replace what your natural thyroid produced prior to total thyroidectomy. I hope you will be given enough hormone replacement to feel better.

[daffodilstar]

Thank you. x

[faith63]

i just don't believe that thyroid levels in the blood, show proper medication.  I remember being told my levels are fine, i gained a bunch of weight and was so puffy.  Dr. Lowe never felt thyroid labs were any good, but t3 based meds and symptom relief is what he did.  People he treated had normal labs but were thyroid hormone resistant..