Advice on thyroid blood results please

[mommym31]

HI everyone, I have been tested for thyroid since I was 30 (35 now) as all the females in my family have it, my TSH In Feb was 4.8, and GP asked for 3 month repeat, its now 4.7 but he's asked to see me saying its not normal

does this mean I may go on thyroxine?

thanks for any advice!

[galathea]

Actually, if you have symptoms and a tsh which is more than about 2 then you should have been given replacement thyroid hormone a long time ago....

If it runs in your family has any doctor thought to check your antibody levels? And all very well checking the tsh, but what are your levels of free t3 and free t4? If your doctor doesnt test levels then he is relying on guesswork.....

I would get yourself a full thyroid profile done. ( about £100) so you can challenge his crappy diagnostic techniques....

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Xx G

[Hidden in reply to galathea]

Unfortunately, too many doctors rely on TSH only I was told by one doctor once that measuring the Free Ts is a waste of time and money, as, and I quote him: "The TSH doesn't lie"...sigh. There is so much stupidity out there.

I agree with Galathea, you need to have your free T3 and T4 levels tested, along with antibodies. If you have Hashimoto's disease (autoimmune hypothyroidism), your thyroid gland has been attacked and destroyed by antibodies, and you will need life-long thyroid hormone replacement. As Galathea says, a TSH >2 already is an indication the thyroid gland is struggling.

[radd]

mommym,

Welcome to our forum and sorry to hear about your possible thyroid problem.

A slow raising TSH indicates a progressive decrease in thyroid hormone production. TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is secreted by the pituitary gland to signal the release of thyroid hormones and as these become lower, the TSH has to work harder.

If you are symptomatic (cold, fatigued, weight gain) thyroid hormone replacement (Levothyroxine) will help to address the inbalance and hopefully make you feel better.

Ask your GP to test Vit B12, Vit D, folate and ferritin as these are commonly deficient in people with low thyroid hormone and required for good hormone synthesis. Post results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

For a clearer picture of thyroid function, T4, T3 and thyroid antibodies TPOAb & TGAb need to be tested but GP's are often reluctant so members use private labs- link below. Again post results for comment.

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Private labs testing

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[mommym31]

thanks to everyone, I know I'm deficient in vit d and in feb it said I was pos for thyroid antibody but this time only had the TSH taken

[radd in reply to mommym31]

mommy,

Positive thyroid antibodies indicates Hashimotos which is a progressive autoimmune disease that attacks your thyroid gland. Once you have them, they are with you for life, just in varying degrees, so are usually not tested for again.

Are you supplementing Vit D now ?

If you have results, post them complete with ranges for members to comment.

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Hashimotos

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

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Vit D & Thyroid disorders

chriskresser.com/the-role-o...

[mommym31 in reply to radd]

Thanks all I know its back in feb it said POS for antibodies with repeat needed in 3 months,