Would labs notice hypothyroidism in a standard blood test?

[Nainty]

Hey, so I'm not sure if I have hypothyroidism but I have every single symptom and my grandmother had a problem with her thyroid and had a chunk of it removed. So I was thinking of asking my doctor for a blood test to test for it but then I thought.. I've had blood tests within the past year or two checking for various things (viral infections mainly) so wouldn't the lab of noticed if something was wrong with my thyroid? Or do they have to do a specific test in order to see if I have it or not?

[Clutter]

Nainty,

The lab would have to analyse TSH to determine primary hypothyroidism and FT4 in addition to rule out secondary hypothyroidism if TSH is low-normal.

[Gcart]

Hi I dont think GP s check that , when I complained of tiredness etc they did the iron panel which doesnt include thyroid status

But can u ask.

Good luck

[SlowDragon Administrator]

They need to check TSH, FT4 AND FT3

Also...If they have not been done ......Suggest you 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 have you 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.

(NHS rarely checks TPO and almost never checks TG. NHS believes it is impossible to have negative TPO and raised TG. It's rare, but not impossible, there are a few members on here that have this.)

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.

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 NHSu) 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

[Heloise]

I would trust your judgment over lab tests but often the problem is not within the gland itself. Other shortcomings can interfere with the production of hormone from the gland or with Hashimoto's the gland is being attacked and form antibodies. This man has short videos about all the ways your thyroid tests can appear normal when you are still displaying symptoms.

If you found during your other tests abnormalities that could impact your metabolism, possibly correcting those would reduce symptoms.

youtube.com/playlist?list=P...

[Paulaw22]

The whole thyroid test thing is very confusing to say the least. I, like your Grandmother, have had half of my thyroid removed. I was told I would need thyroxine after a few years but my doctor only does the usual bloods which didn't pick up the fault to start with! I have symptoms of hypothyroidism but they won't do the proper tests. My Mother and sister both have hyperthyroidism but they still do the ordinary tests.