Test reults

[Jumpey]

Hi.I am new to this forum and would really appreciate some help to interpret my test results which my doctor says are normal. I have no idea what optimum levels are so I would really like some advise. My TSH is 1.57 and my T 4 is 12. Should I be concerned?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

"Should I be concerned?"

Possibly but test results can't be interpreted without reference ranges, as ranges differ from lab to lab. Please post the ranges for your tests, but it's safe to say that TSH isn't that bad.

Are you diagnosed hypothyroid and treated with Levo or are you looking for a diagnosis?

All thyroid tests should be done at the very earliest appointment of the morning, fast overnight (water allowed) and if taking thyroid meds leave them off for 24 hours. This gives the highest possible TSH which is needed when looking for a diagnosis or increase in dose or to avoid a reduction in dose.

The aim of a treated hypo patient generally 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 if that is where you feel well.

[Jumpey in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi Susie.Thanks for your response and your advice.I am looking for a diagnosis.I will get in touch with my doctor for the ranges. The test was taken in the afternoon so not sure how reliable it is.x

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jumpey]

Jumpey When looking for a diagnosis, or when already diagnosed and looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction, we need TSH to be as high as possible. This is achieved by having blood drawn at the earliest appointment of the day, fasting overnight (water allowed) and, if on thyroid meds, leave Levo off for 24 hours. This should be the same for future thyroid tests too.

TSH is highest early in the morning and lowers during the day, it also lowers after eating and drinking.

The fact that you had blood drawn in the afternoon has resulted in a lower TSH than if you'd had it drawn in the morning. You might want to try and persuade your GP to retest in a few weeks and get the first appointment of the day. I think your FT4 could well be low in range so emphasise that, also ask for antibodies to be tested as sometimes you can have thyroid antibodies but it doesn't show in the standard test.