Help with blood tests.

[Chuizla]

Hi I have been following the forum for a while now and hope that someone will be able to help. I am not sure why but my TSH has been intermittently checked from 2003 onwards and has always been around 2 (1.16-4.2) At the beginning of this year it was again checked as part of hypertension screening and was 5.5 (1.16 to 4.2) my free T4 was 12.2 (12 to 22). I was told by the nurse that I had subclinical hypothyroidism and to recheck in three months. I realised at this point that I have had a lot of the symptoms of Hypothyroidism for months but have just assumed it’s my age. In April my bloods were repeated

TSH 4.0 (1.16-4.2)

Free T4 13.1 (12-22)

Anti-Thyroidperoxidase abs 12 (<34)

CRP 8.6 (<5)

Ferritin 21.5 (13-150)

Vitamin B12 825 (197-771)

Serum folate 18.6 (3.6-18.7)

Vitamin D 48 (>75)

At this point I was told that my thyroid was fine as my TSH was back in range. My symptoms were then all been attributed to the low iron and low vitamin D levels. To rectify those I have had an iron transfusion, which brought my ferritin up to 195.6 and Vitamin D tablets. This has helped to a degree but I still have what I feel are hypothyroidism symptoms. Feeling frustrated and after reading some of your comments I have had my blood tested with Blue horizon. My current results are

TSH 6.01 (0.27-4.2)

Free T4 12.93 (12-22)

Total T4 84.8 (64.5-142)

Free T3 5.10 (3.1-6.8)

Anti-Thyroidperoxidase Abs 8.8 <34

Anti-Thyroglobulin Abs 15.1 <115

CRP 14.1 <5

Ferritin 165.2 (13-150)

Vitamin B12 695 (197-771)

Serum folate 14.0 (3.6-18.7)

Vitamin D 72 (>75)

Am I correct in the assumption that my thyroid is struggling? I would be grateful for any help and advice. Thank you.

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Chuizla.

Your TSH was top of the range in April so your thyroid is struggling. Your BH TSH result is over range and FT4 at the bottom of range so you should show the results to your GP and request treatment or another thyroid test if GP won't act on the BH results.

Arrange your next thyroid test early in the morning when TSH is highest and fast (water only) as TSH drops after eating and drinking.

Thyroid antibody results are negative for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's).

CRP is elevated which indicates inflammation somewhere in the body.

Ferritin is elevated which also indicates inflammation somewhere but is probably due to your recent iron transfusion.

I would continue supplementing vitamin D to maintain your vitamin D level October-April when ultraviolet light is too low to stimulate natural vitD.

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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.

[Chuizla in reply to Clutter]

Thank you Clutter. That is very helpful. I shall make another appointment with my GP.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your vitamin D needs to improve further. Aim for at least 100.

How much & what D are you taking?

Might need more in winter than summer.

[Chuizla in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slowdragon and thanks for replying. I wasn't sure but I did think it needed to be a little higher. I was given 2500 iu of D3 by my GP for 3 months. I have some 5000 iu of D3 that I have bought. I will try taking them every day instead of every other day and check my level in a couple of months.