Blood test results: Hello again , just been to my... - Thyroid UK

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Blood test results

Paul1108 profile image
10 Replies

Hello again , just been to my doctors and had set of results

14/6/16

Serum TSH 8.78 mU/L (0.35-5.50) "High"

That's all that was tested

17/2/15

Serum TSH 59.24mu/L (0.35-5.50) High

Serum free T4 6.5pmol/L (7.0-17.0) Low

That's all they had for me ,hope it helps

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Paul1108
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PinkNinja profile image
PinkNinja

Hi

I notice the comment at the bottom "difficult to stabilise tiredness". It is obvious from your blood test results that you are still not on a high enough dose of your thyroid medication as your TSH remains too high. Your dose should be increased periodically until your symptoms disappear whilst keeping your TSH within range. Many people find that they feel best when their TSH is below 1 but this value may need to be higher for some. 8.78 is definitely too high and your GP should increase your dose. I imagine once you are on a more appropriate dose your tiredness will no longer be difficult to stabilise!

I hope you get the increase in dose an that it starts to make you feel better soon.

Pink :)

Paul1108 profile image
Paul1108 in reply toPinkNinja

Thank you , I see the letter makes a comment to increase my dose . Crazy that I see it and they haven't

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Email Lousie at Thyroid Uk for copy of article by Prof Toft stating clearly that we need TSH of around, or even slightly lower than, 1.

louise.warvill@thyroiduk.org.uk

Also ask GP to check Vit D, folate, ferritin and B12. These are often low, especially if under treated or have Hashimoto's. They need to be at good levels (not just in range)

Make sure you get the actual figures from tests (including ranges - figures in brackets). You are entitled to copies of your own results. Some surgeries make nominal charge for printing out. Alternatively you can now ask for online access to your own medical records. Though not all surgeries can do this yet, or may not have blood test results available yet online, but all should be doing this with couple of years.

When you get results suggest you make a new post on here and members can offer advice on any vitamin supplements needed

If you can not get GP to do these tests, then like many of us, you can get them done privately

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

Blue Horizon - Thyroid plus eleven tests all these.

This is an easy to do fingerprick test you do at home, post back and they email results to you couple of days later. Usual advice on this test, (home one or on NHS) is to do early in morning, ideally before 9am. No food or drink beforehand (other than water) don't take Levo in 24 hours before (take straight after). This way your tests are always consistent, and it will show highest TSH, and as this is mainly all the medics decide dose on, best idea is to keep result as high as possible.

If you have Hashimoto's then you may find adopting 100% gluten free diet can help reduce symptoms, and lower antibodies too.

Assume you know that Levo generally should be taken on empty stomach and no food or drink for at least hour after. Many take on waking, some prefer bedtime, either as more convenient or perhaps more effective. No other medications at same time, especially iron or magnesium, these must be at least 4 hours away

Best advice is to read as much as you can. Vitamin and minerals levels are very important, but standard NHS thinking, doesn't at the moment seem to recognise this. You will see, time and time again on here lots of information and advice about importance of good levels of B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D.

Paul1108 profile image
Paul1108 in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you for the rep,y , certainly have a plan now

It says you are undermedicated or not taking your levo. I'd go for undermedicated. You should be getting an increase about every six weeks until symptoms are relieved. If your GP goes on TSH only, you may never be right.

Paul1108 profile image
Paul1108 in reply toAngel_of_the_North

They told me I'm within range !!! Hence my choice to go private

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle in reply toPaul1108

Ok, but you aren't within range. This is an error which should be simple to sort out. You need an increase in levo and regular testing every 6-8 weeks until your levels are better (tsh lower, t4 higher) and see where you are. If you still don't feel well then you might want to go deeper into the issue, but it should be patently obvious to literally any doctor that you need a levo increase. Based on nothing more than my own experience w endos, this isn't something to pay a private endo for. Is there another gp in the surgery, or is there another local surgery?

How much levo are you on now?

Paul1108 profile image
Paul1108

I'm on 175mcg Levo and 5mcg t3

Have been for years and I e almost begged for increase and they say I'm within range even after last tests with a note to increase !! So frustrating that's why I'm having blue horizon tests done to post here and then see someone to hopefully have a plan and look at adrenals etc diet

Skeeter1956 profile image
Skeeter1956

Hi Paul

I think it's appalling that your GP won't consider an increase in meds with such a high TSH . I think it unlikely your GP would act on private tests if he ignores advice from local NHS lab tests . I think you should try another GP within the practice failing that another practice .

Best wishes Skeeter

Paul1108 profile image
Paul1108 in reply toSkeeter1956

Definetly feeling that way Skeeter1956 , once I get my own results and post here I have more information to go with as I seek change

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