I have just recently come across this forum and what an eye opener it has been for me..I have been underactive for 20 years and I am 57 now and on 100 Levothyroxin. Having read so much over the last 7 days I asked my GP surgery for my results from my last couple of annual blood tests. Nievly I just assumed Doctors knew what they were doing.
If somebody could advise me where I go from here with testing etc. I have so many symptoms, aches ,pains, headaches, sleeplessness to name but a few. I am a farmer so my lifestyle is very physical and demanding.
Dec16= SerumTHSlevel 3.97mu/L(0.27-4.2)
May16=serumTHSlevel 2.53mu/L (0.27-4.2)
March15= 1.3mu/L(0.35-4.5)
I did not know to leave off my tabs for 24 hrs before test, but do take them last thing at night.
Many Thanks
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Caroline59
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Email louse.warvill@thyroiduk.org.uk and ask for a copy of the Pulse Online article by Dr Toft (ex President of the BTA) and read question 6 and highlight the aim of optimal hormones to bring your TSH right down to below one. Either drop a note to your GP (you don't want to waste her time or yours) and ask for an increase. You can also enclose a copy and highlight of Dr T's information.
When next test is due, it has to be the earliest, fasting and allow 24 hours gap between last dose and test and take afterwards. Ask for a Full Thyroid Function Test, i.e. TSH, T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3 and antibodies. Also ask for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. Get a print-out with the ranges and post on a new question.
Caroline59 I do think our GPs do us a massive disservice by not explaining anything about our condition. I was diagnosed over 40 years ago, never told anything about it, just told to take my tablet and was tested every year, dose changed from time to time with no explanation. Then about 20 years ago things went haywire and I had to start learning. Now I realise how doctors know very little, don't listen to us, only go by numbers and never consider symptoms. And if you're (un)lucky enough to be referred to an endo then they can be worse than the doctors, because most of them are diabetes specialists and don't know how to treat hypothyroidism.
There, I've got that off my chest
So, as you can see your TSH has been rising steadily. You are very undermedicated going by your TSH only. What a pity that's all that's been tested. You need an increase in dose but because your result is within range, and your GP possibly doses by TSH only, you may find that hard to achieve.
The aim of a thyroid patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below and FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges if that is where you feel well.
So, as a start you can ask your doctor to test other things, you may be lucky. If not you can get a private test done and depending on the findings you can discuss them with your GP and hope something comes of it.
What you need is
TSH
FT4
FT3 (probably wont be done by NHS, only usually done when there's something very wrong with TSH and FT4)
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
Thyroglobulin (TG) antibodies (almost never done, and then only usually by an endo)
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
Vitamins and minerals all have to be optimal (not just within the range) for thyroid hormone to work properly.
You can get these done privately with a fingerprick test with Blue Horizon or Medichecks, ThyroidUK has arrangements with both of them, and they are very good.
Caroline59 They are both the same tests, just offered by different companies but usually processed by the same lab (they use accredited labs). It's a very good test and covers everything needed. When you are ready to do it, just compare the price and go for the cheapest.
It was announced on the forum today that ThyroidUK is now working with Medichecks and until 28 February you can get a 15% discount. Worth considering
If you're unsure about doing a fingerprick test, Blue Horizon explain it here bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/F... and click on Paul's picture for a really good guide on how to do it. If you're still not sure, Blue Horizon offer other options, all shown in the link on my first post further up. Medichecks are fingerprick only.
When doing thyroid tests, at GP surgery or these home tests, always do it as early as possible in the morning, by 8.30am if possible, fast overnight (you can have water) and leave off Levo for 24 hours. That way you get the highest possible TSH which is what you need when looking for an increase in your Levo or to avoid a reduction in dose. If you get into the habit of doing this every time, you then have exactly the same conditions for every test so get an accurate comparison which can come in very useful if you want a change in dose and your GP doesn't ahree. Start keeping a spreadsheet with results, ranges, what dose of Levo, how you feel, etc., so you can refer to it if necessary to explain to your GP how you felt on what dose, how your symptoms changed of dose was changed, etc.
Oooh, I never knew that! That's a really good price. I normally do fingerprick but wanted rT3 so paid £45 for the home nurse phlebotomy service from BH as there's nowhere near me. Just checked Medichecks, again nothing near me
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New thyroid results to add to my previous ones
New Bloods - Very Confused
new test results and dose review advice.
Hi new here
I'm new here. 
