I'm new!

Good evening! My I'm Freda7 I've just joined and will be browsing through until I find my feet, loooking forward to gettiing to know you!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Hi Hidden Welcome to the forum. Any questions, just ask, members are happy to help

If you want test results interpreting, please post results with reference ranges. As ranges vary from lab to lab we need the ranges specific to the lab which did your test.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hello SeasideSusie and thank you

[silverfox7]

Welcome Freda! We are a friendly bunch and many of us are able to help in answering any queries. Remember as well we have all been where you are today, no question is too small, so ask away. It can be quite daunting at first as many don't get help from their doctors but lots to learn but plenty of help available as well but it can be a marathon, not a sprint and hormones work slowly so patience is a good word to remember!

[Hidden in reply to silverfox7]

Thank you silverfox7 for your friendly welcome as well

[Treepie]

Browse Thyroid UK website and Thyroid Patient Advocacy.

[Hidden]

I've just had a blood test today one for vitamin D the other for TSH I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday fingers crossed she will have time to spend talking over my options. Will let you know how I get on.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

Hidden It's too late now, but I hope you had a very early appointment for the blood draw for your thyroid test.

For future reference, always book the very first appointment of the morning when having thyroid tests, fast overnight (water allowed) and if on thyroid meds leave off Levo for 24 hours.

For diagnosis, to avoid a reduction in Levo dose, or when looking for an increase, we need the highest possible TSH. As TSH is highest very early in the morning and lowers throughout the day, and as TSH lowers after eating, then the earliest possible blood draw after an overnight fast will give the best result.

Come back with your results if you want interpretation or help from members.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

My doctor is reluctant to increase my levo so for the past two or three days I have taken it much later than usual and had food straight away rather than what I usually do (take meds in the morning then wait about an hour before breakfast.) So I had my blood test this afternoon and took my meds when I got back from the hospital. I know I haven't been on the right dose for ages and was a bit fed up with my doctor saying my results were 'normal' when I complained about my weight gain she just said I was smack bang in the middle of menopause and I was unfortunate as most women put on weight during menopause anyways so try eat less and exercise more!!!

When I do exercise, say for around 40 mins doing aerobics or walk for about an hour as soon as I'm done I fall asleep for a couple of hours, not energised at all just really shattered!

I feel better on 100mcg and I've been on 75 mcg for just over a year and have gained and gained so much weight.

Sorry this has turned into a bit of a rant!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

I don't think the results of this afternoon's test are going to help you That is when TSH is at it's lowest. See the top graph in this post and you'll see that at 1pm TSH is at it's lowest point of the day and midnight to 4am is when it's highest, and about 8.30 to 9am is the best time for when we can get blood drawn (I doubt anyone would want to do it at midnight!)

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Always best to try and get blood done at the GP surgery and take the results when you have to go to hospital.

I hope it comes back high enough for you to lhave an increase though.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

No one has ever told me this before and I have always taken my levo dose on the morning of my blood tests regardless of time because that it what my doctor told me to do.... feel a bit gutted now. Thanks for letting me know.