Blood test for hypothyroidism and weight gain.

[zebra78]

Hi, I'm new to the site. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism around 10 years ago after the birth of my first child and have been on levothyroxine since. I recently had a blood test as i am struggling to lose weight and am feeling tired. It's come back as within a normal range but how do I know that's normal for me? The Gp wasn't very informative really, he just said because it's within normal range they won't consider altering the dose. He told me they only do one type of test for the thyroid.

I just wondered if I should just accept this or if there are other tests that may be done to find or if there is any other advice. I'm not sure really, I just know that the symptoms I'm having are very much like those i had before I was diagnosed. I am using a calorie counter and still can't lose weight having 1200 calories a day.

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Tracysgap.

Please don't ever accept 'normal' as the result of a blood test. Ask your GP receptionist for the result and post it in a new question for advice.

I expect your GP tested TSH. The normal range is very broad and within range 0.35-5.0 0.35 and 5.0 are both within normal range but patients will usually feel dreadful with TSH near 5.0 but good when it is between 0.35-1.0.

TSH is a pituitary hormone which rises and falls in response to T4 and T3 levels. Even if TSH is 'perfect' it doesn't mean T4 and T3 are. I would order a home finger prick thyroid test from Blue Horizon or Genova to check my FT4 and FT3 levels in addition to TSH. Blue Horizon thyroid profile 11 includes ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate which are useful tests to have too. thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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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.

[Clutter]

Eljii,

In the UK the typical TSH range will be 0.35-5 or 6. Some dinosaur GPs don't treat hypothyroidism until TSH is >10.

[greygoose]

I'm with researcher volzke! And those that say no lower limit for TSH!

[greygoose]

Hi tracysgap, welcome to the forum.

You are not eating enough! When you are hypo, the weight gain is nothing to do with what you eat - I think you've just proved that, don't you? It's due to low T3, which slows down the metabolism - I bet you don't even know what level your FT3 is, do you? Doctors don't test it, because it's too expensive - so there's your answer, yes, there are other tests : FT4 and FT3. And antibodies, vitamins and minerals should also be tested. But your doctor doesn't know that. They know very little about thyroid.

Anyway, getting back to your diet, 1200 calories just isn't enough, and may be doing you more harm than good. You need calories to convert your T4 - I imagine you're taking levo - into the essential T3. So, if you cut your calories, you can't convert, which means you get more hypo, and put on even more weight!

In fact, don't count calories at all! It's very mis-leading, and not a natural thing to do. It isn't even helpful! Just eat good, clean food. Lots of protein and good fats - butter, animal fat, olive oil, nut oil, avocado, etc - but no seed oils! - plenty of fresh fruit and veg. A decent amount of carbs - you need those for conversion, too - not too much fibre (affects absorption of T4) and don't skimp on the salt. Your adrenals need salt, B vitamins and lots of vit C. And your thyroid needs your adrenals! All these things are interconnected.

On the negative side, cut out all that is processed, and all forms of unfermented soy (lots of it in processed foods!). And go easy on the sugar.

It's important that you have your antibodies tested, because if you have them (means you have Hashimoto's disease), you probably need to go gluten-free. Lots of Hashi's people find they lose weight when they cut out the gluten and/or seeds.

Whatever you do, do not just accept the rubbish your doctor hands you out. He knows nothing about it. And if he refuses to do all the right tests :

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPOab

TgAB

vit D

vit B12

folate

ferritin

you can have them done privately. And, if he refuses to give you an increase in dose, buy your own! But, first of all, ask for a print-out of your last results - it's your legal right to have one - and post the results on here (with the ranges). Let's see exactly what he's tested, and exactly what the results were. OK?

[zebra78]

Thank you so much for your helpful and informative replies. I will ask for a print off of the results on Monday.

Thank you for the advice about nutrition too, I am struggling to stick to the restrictive calories. Part of my problem is I have other health problems which restrict my mobility, I've always found it very difficult to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight without exercise but I have done it. At the moment it's just impossible, I'm as active as i can be given my problems, it seems I only have to eat a little over the 1200 calories and I put on weight the next day! I am going to stop counting the calories and do what feels more natural, fresh vegetables, some fruit and lots of lean protein etc.

Thank you all again, I feel better now. I've been feeling like something isn't right but then at the same time when Dr's are saying my levels are normal I thought I was being over fussy but now I realise there's much more to it than a single result.

Will post the results on Monday.