Thyroid underactive

[cathy1110]

Hi just had blood tests come back underactive. Dont know my numbers yet. Can let me know what numbers does it come beeteen .and if higher number is more ynder active.thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

cathy1110 Reference ranges vary from lab to lab so no-one can say what the range is for the lab that did your test.

If TSH is high/over range you are underactive.

If FT4 and FT3 are low, this can also indicate underactive, but it's usually high TSH that diagnoses hypothyroidism.

[cathy1110 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thankyou

[cathy1110]

Thanks

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum,

If we have been diagnosed as underactive it means we have to take levothyroxine for the rest of our lives. If we don't we shall become very unwell as thyroid hormones are required to run our whole metabolism, from head to toe and our heart and brain need the most thyroid hormones.

Blood tests have to be at the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between the last dose of hormones and the test and take afterwards. This helps give us the best possible results.

Get a print-out after each blood test and make sure ranges are stated. Labs differ and so do ranges and it makes it easier to respond.

We are entitled to get a print-out of our results with the ranges. Ranges are important as labs differ.

If GP hasn't tested B12, Vit D,iron, ferritin and folate ask for these at your next blood test.

Blood tests should be every six weeks with a 25mcg increase in levothyroxine until you are symptom-free.

[cathy1110 in reply to shaws]

Hi i wAs dignise with fibo .and i have terrible tideness dont have energy.evan to sent out a thought at times.i think i could had this years.i saffer terrible fibo fog.pain inlegs where can cut them off .my doctor just give me 20.000 vid d to take once a week.then she said later put me. On 1000 daily. She gave me folic acied 5mg. But told me my vitamin b was fine .now been told i have under active thyriod. Said tsh 5 2 this is second time i had come back underactive.and second time by vitamin d low.my first texts were last year.and this is just my second.a new doctor now.

[cathy1110 in reply to cathy1110]

I waiting to do another blood text agin in octorber for antibotics but not been given no medication. I am worried now cause last year came back underactive then another blood come back normal.and now underactive again.

[shaws Administrator in reply to cathy1110]

She should have prescribed 50mcg of levothyroxine but for some unbelievable reason they've been told not to prescribe until TSH is 10 which could be months ahead.

Ask for thyroid antibodies to be checked as you should be prescribed if you have them, when TSH is below 10.

Tick off your symptoms.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[cathy1110 in reply to shaws]

Hi yes that what she doing on my next blood text she mention antibiotics

[cathy1110 in reply to shaws]

Thankyou

[shaws Administrator in reply to cathy1110]

cathy1110

Please ask the surgery to give you a print-out of your latest thyroid results and the one before in which she gave you folic acid.

Our B12 may be low and I believe you shouldn't be given folic acid until B12 is investigated in case we have undiagnosed pernicious anaemia.

Always put your ranges as labs differ and it makes it easier to respond.

It is a pity that doctors are unaware how low vitamins/minerals can also cause symptoms but they are 'happy' if they are somewhere in range, whereas B12 for instances should be around 1,000 but I will guess your B12 isn't at the number (it can be a little lower).

What dose of levothyroxine has your GP given you?

[cathy1110 in reply to shaws]

Hi my results are TSH 5.2 (0.27-42) T4 free 12 Pmol/L (11.0-22 0) she said my b vitamins were ok. But give me folic acid now.has not put me on any medication now. Wants me to another blood text in 4 weeks as she said she has to follow rules but said on next blood text she will gime me medication.

[cathy1110 in reply to shaws]

Hi my tsh result 5.2 mU/L (0.27-4.2)

[shaws Administrator in reply to cathy1110]

According to Thyroiduk.org.uk you will see we can be hypothyroid if TSH is above 2.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

You can tell your GP you are a member of Healthunlocked Thyroiduk.org.uk and have been advised that your TSH is sufficiently high to be given levothyroxine at 50mcg to try to help your painful clinical symptoms.

[cathy1110 in reply to shaws]

You mean dose should be higher

[cathy1110 in reply to shaws]

Hi why do we wait another month before another blood test please

[shaws Administrator in reply to cathy1110]

I now read that you have said that the doctor has told you she will give you another test in 4 weeks.

She is doing this to see if your TSH goes higher than 5.2 and if it is she will prescribe levothyroxine. Even though you have bad symptoms.

If you follow the hints below to try to keep your TSH at the highest is:-

Make an appointment now for four weeks time (otherwise all spaces may be filled) for another blood test and it has to be at the very earliest and fasting (you can drink water).

If you are given levothyroxine you will have a blood test every six weeks until your symptoms have improved. It has to be slow increases of 25mcg each time. Always follow early morning test procedure.

If you have a thyroid blood test late in the afternoon your TSH will be lower. It is highest very early in the morning and doctors only look at the TSH so it is better for us to have the earliest test.

[cathy1110 in reply to shaws]

Thanks

[cathy1110 in reply to shaws]

Thankyou

[cathy1110]

Thankyou