Blood Test results

[Shenow]

Here are the latest:

Free T4: 12.2

TSH: 0.61

That's all the Endo will test for.

[greygoose]

Do you have the range for the FT4? The number by itself is meaningless. But it does look low. So, how do you feel? What are you taking?

[Shenow in reply to greygoose]

Thanks Greygoose,

The range for T4 is 7.9-14.4, I am 12.2

The TSH range is 0.4-3.5, I am 0.61

I take Levo of 62.5mg a day.

I lack energy, have anxiety and headaches and I get hot very easily.

[greygoose in reply to Shenow]

Oh! OK That's a strange range. So, you're not as low as I thought you were. So, the next thing to do is to get your FT4 and FT3 tested at the same time, to see if you're converting. But, you'll probably have to do that privately.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you in Uk? If they have not been done ask GP to check levels of vitamin d, b12, folate and ferratin. These all need to at GOOD (not just average) levels for thyroid hormones (our own or replacement ones) to work in our cells

Also you say you have Hashimoto's- have you actually had thyroid antibodies checked? There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) Both need checking, if either, or both are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's the most common cause in UK of being hypo. Do you have any antibody results?

ALWAYS 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.

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. (£99)

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 ALL thyroid tests, (home one or on NHS) is to do early in morning, ideally before 9am. No food or drink beforehand (other than water) If you are taking Levo, then don't take it 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 definitely do have Hashimoto's then you may find adopting 100% gluten free diet can help reduce symptoms, and might lower antibodies too.

You do not need to have ANY obvious gut issues, to still have poor nutrient absorption or low stomach acid or gluten intolerance

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, low stomach acid, leaky gut and gluten connection to autoimmune Hashimoto's too.

hypothyroidmom.com/92-of-ha...

[Shenow]

Thank you Greygoose & Slowdragon for your helpful replies. All very useful info

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Shenow]

Having read your old posts, I see you are in France, so assume you can't do Blue Horizon tests?

As you are vegetarian & hypo B12 is very likely low.

You do not appear to have ever had antibodies tested, but if you do have Hashimoto's then you may find going gluten free improves symptoms

It's helpful to put a summary about yourself on profile. E.g. In France, vegetarian. If had any vitamin tests etc

[Shenow in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you Slow Dragon, I have updated my profile. No I haven't had vitamin tests so that is my next challenge.