Thyroid and cholesterol enquiry

[Gemmadoo]

When should I get a repeat test for thyroid, lipid and cholesterol? I got my results this week, thyroid function test, abnormal serum tsh level 5. Serum lipids abnormal 5.5 Dr advised 3 months, I thought sooner?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Gemmadoo If you are diagnosed and just started on Levo, then retesting 6-8 weeks later is normal.

If you are undiagnosed and it's your first abnormal result, 3 months is about right, they need to rule out non-thyroidal illness causing high TSH.

[Gemmadoo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. It's my 2nd abnormal result within a year, 1st time I got repeat test, showed bavk to normal after a few weeks, but 6 months ltr came back high. They advised me to change my diet and go back in 3 months

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gemmadoo]

When looking for a diagnosis (also, once diagnosed and on Levo, if looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction) then you want the highest possible TSH. To achieve this you should book the very earliest appointment for your blood draw and fast overnight (water allowed). TSH is highest very early in the morning and lowers throughout the day, it also lowers after eating. This is a patient to patient tip so we don't discuss it with a doctor or phlebotomist.

[Gemmadoo in reply to SeasideSusie]

I am not on any medication at present but in last 2 weeks I have irregular heartbeat and that concerns me, is it to do with my cholestorol? Maybe I need to go back to doc

[greygoose in reply to Gemmadoo]

No, it's nothing to do with your cholesterol. High cholesterol doesn't actually do anything to you, it's just a symptom that something is wrong in the body, not a disease in its own right. It doesn't cause heart attacks or have anything to do with your heart. You probably have low FT3, so your body won't be able to use cholesterol properly, which is why it builds up in the blood.

[Shelley1954 in reply to greygoose]

Having had high cholesterol and been on statins for some time, within a very short time of taking T3 my level dropped significantly and I am no longer on the statins.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gemmadoo]

Why change your diet? What did they suggest?

[Gemmadoo in reply to SeasideSusie]

They suggested I eat Rex meat once a week, eat more fish and more exercise becausrcof my cholestorol but Dr said more concerned on my thyroid reading.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gemmadoo]

High cholesterol is a symptom of Hypothyroidism. If you are diagnosed and prescribed Levo, that could very well sort itself out.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gemmadoo]

So is your diet poor?

[Gemmadoo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Not at all, I eat well and healthy

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gemmadoo]

Well, it doesn't make much sense then!

Did they only do TSH? What is the reference range? What has the result been before?

Did they test FT4 and/or thyroid antibodies?

[Gemmadoo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thyroid function test Sing) abnormal serum tsh level 5 range 0.27-4.20mlUL serum free t4 13.8 range 12.00 -22.00pmo1/l

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gemmadoo]

Well, TSH is only just over range and FT4 in range (but low). Diagnosis is only usually made when TSH reaches 10 although sometimes if antibodies are present some doctors will start Levo.

What have previous results been like?

[Gemmadoo in reply to SeasideSusie]

In March 2017 serum tsh level 3.13 and serum free t4 level 13 but a month previouscyo that serum tsh level 5.54 and serum free t4 level 14.5

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gemmadoo]

Do you remember if the blood draw was done at the same time of day every time? They can only be compared if done at the same time.

[Gemmadoo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes 8am on all tests.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gemmadoo]

Well, TSH has been rising so you're on your way to hypothyroidism, if your antibodies come back positive then you should push for a diagnosis and start Levo.

[Gemmadoo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for your feedback, I will make an appointment with doctor to try and resolve this issue.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Fluctuations in levels sounds like autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's.

Ask GP to test for raised Thyroid antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

If you can't get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw or

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting

[Gemmadoo in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, I will make spot tmw with suggested requests.

[Hidden]

Don't worry about cholesterol the brain uses it and needs it too.