Recent thyroid test

[Maxinemurray]

Had some thyroid test currently on 25mg of levothyroxine latest result are

Serum TSH level 1.2 mu/l (0.35 - 4.7)

Serum free t4 level 10 pmol/London (7.8 - 21)

Is this normal?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Maxinemurray No, not really normal. The aim of a treated hypo patient is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it is needed for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges.

For your quite low TSH (which is good), you have a very low FT4.

How do you feel?

When were you diagnosed?

How long have you been on 25mcg Levo - has your dose been changed recently?

Do you have positive thyroid antibodies therefore autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's?

[Maxinemurray in reply to SeasideSusie]

Was diagnosed in October, been on 25mg since, feel tired, muscle ache weight a problem

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Maxinemurray]

Maxinemurray So you're still on a starter dose. On the one hand, I can see why your dose hasn't been increased ie your TSH is 1.2 and a pretty good place to be normally. On the other hand, your FT4 is very low and that's unusual. Your GP is obviously dosing by TSH only.

A few other things -

Are you taking your Levo on an empty stomach - one hour before or two hours after food?

Did you take your Levo before your blood draw?

What time did you have your blood draw?

When having blood drawn for a thyroid test, always book the very first appointment of the day, fast overnight (water only), and leave Levo off for 24 hours (take after the blood draw). This gives the highest possible TSH which is what is needed when looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction.

Have you had vitamins and minerals tested? Muscle aches could possibly be indicative of low levels of nutrients, Vit D in particular.

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

All these need to be optimal, not just in range. Ferritin in particular needs to be a minimum of 70 for thyroid hormone to work properly. If you've had them tested, please post the results with ranges for comment. If not you could ask your GP to do them or get them done privately with a fingerprick test, they come as part of a thyroid bundle with Blue Horizon bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/T...

That test also does both types of thyroid antibodies, which will be worth having done to rule out, or in, autoimmune thyroid disease.

Weight will, unfortunately, probably be a problem until you are optimally medicated. Don't be tempted to go on a restrictive diet or to do anything other than gentle exercise such as walking or swimming, it wont help at all.

[Maxinemurray]

Test was done on the morning, did not take Meds, but did have a cup of tea on the morning as not told to fast, always take my levothyroxine on a national empty stomach. I take 420 mg of iron but leave over 4 hours after levothyroxine, I also have addison's disease.

[Maxinemurray]

Sorry forgot to say never had a vitamin test

[Maxinemurray]

I have 2 test results regarding my thyroid, first one on 14.12.16

TSH level 1.3 mu/London (0.35 - 4.7)

T4 level 11 pmo1/London (7.8 - 21)

Next test on 26.01.17, results are

TSH Level 1.2 mu/London (0.35 - 4.70mu/L)

T4 Level 10 pmo/l (7.80 - 21.00pmol/L)

I believe my T4 levels are low, but currently I'm only on 25mg of levothyroxine, is this too low a dose?