I don't have anything more accurate than the following
First test done 6th Sept and results were 8.37
Second test done 19th October and the results were 4.08 which I'm told is 'within range'
Why would my results change so much?
Was the first result an anomaly?
I'm disappointed because I was so hopeful that this would be the answer to my years and years of lethargy. (I'm currently 12 weeks pregnant so would've been 6 weeks pregnant for the first test, if that makes a difference.)
Thank you
There is no TS3 test. Is it TSH or FT3?
Are you diagnosed with a thyroid condition and on thyroid meds? If not then it will be TSH. FT3 is only done by the lab when TSH and/or FT4 are abnormal.
not sure where TS3 came from! 🤔 Doctor hasn't told me what the test is other than 'thyroid', I had assumed FT3 as the normal range was 3-5.
Not diagnosed with anything at the moment.
Why would the results change?
So if you're not diagnosed and these are initial tests to see if you have a thyroid problem, and they're only doing one test, the standard test is TSH. As I said, the lab have to be requested to do an FT3 test on a diagnosed patient, and it's only done if TSH and FT4 are abnormal.
I'm thinking that to clear up any confusion you should go and ask at your surgery for a print out. If you've been given these results verbally, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that whoever gave them to you had read them wrongly. A print out is always best, there can be no mistakes then and it will say what the test name is, the result and the reference range.
Without knowing exactly what you've had tested and the range, it's not possible to interpret the result you've given.
I actually think it's TSH and the first test at 8.37 was over range, and now it's come down to 4.08 it's within range but at the top. The reasons it's come down so much could be:
1) The tests were done at a different time of day (TSH is highest early morning and lowers during the day).
2) You may have just eaten before the second test (eating lowers TSH)
3) You may have had some other non-thyroidal illness going on when you had the first test which have a high TSH. This is why the first abnormal test is repeated.
Thank you for taking the time to reply.
The tests were done at 09:10 and 11:30 and I will have almost certainly eaten not long before the second appointment.
It's very frustrating as the doctor is quite dismissive of me!
I think that could very well explained the difference in results then. I imagine another very early blood draw after an overnight fast would produce an over range TSH again.
Geworgie,
At 12 weeks pregnant the foetus will have developed its own thyroid gland and the demand on your maternal thyroid hormone will have dropped so that is the likely reason for the reduction in TSH. However, TSH remains too high at 4.08.
Your GP needs to prescribe 50mcg Levothyroxine as a matter of urgency to reduce TSH to the low-normal TSH 0.4 - 2.5 BTA recommends during the first trimester and 0.4 - 2.0 during the second trimester. Higher TSH increases the risks of miscarriage, poor foetal developement and post-partum psychosis in the mother.
Management of primary hypothyroidism: statement by the British Thyroid Association Executive Committee
13. The serum TSH reference range in pregnancy is 0·4–2·5 mU/l in the first trimester and 0·4–3·0 mU/l in the second and third trimesters or should be based on the trimester-specific reference range for the population if available. These reference ranges should be achieved where possible with appropriate doses of L-T4 preconception and most importantly in the first trimester (1/++0). L-T4/L-T3 combination therapy is not recommended in pregnancy (1/+00).
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...
Thank you so much for this. I had a telephone appointment with the doctor just now and she just kept repeating to me that it 'was within normal levels'. Very frustrating.
I suggested that it was too high for pregnancy according to BTA and she just again said 'its within normal range'. She is calling the lab to check the results though although suspect I already know what she will say when she calls back!
Print off the information about pregnancy and TSH and make an appointment with another doctor, say how worried you are because you know someone who was undiagnosed for years and lost four babies during pregnancy due to undiagnosed Hypothyroidism (my daughter-in-law) and ask that your concerns be taken seriously on the strength of the evidence you have provided.
I think your GP should be calling an endo who specialises in thyroid (rather than diabetes) as well as the lab!
I'm so sorry to hear of you daughter in law's losses.
Geworgie,
Your GP obviously isn't very knowledgeable about hypothyroidism and pregnancy. I would print off the BTA statement for your GP and highlight the section about thyroid levels during pregnancy. You can also print off the NICE recommendation which advises referral to endocrinology for management during pregnancy. cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...
Thank you, Clutter.
I'll read those guidelines shortly but does it make a difference that I've not been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder?
I've also just remembered the midwife said there was a note on my file to redo the bloods in 3-6 months to check but Dr didn't mention it to me...
Geworgie,
No, pregnancy can alter thyroid function. It is possible that thyroid function may normalise post partum.
You may want to show your GP the Camden CCG pathway for treatment in this link gps.camdenccg.nhs.uk/cdn/se...
Thank you, Clutter. You've been very helpful. Much appreciated.
I think I'll make an actual appointment for tomorrow rather than telephone. I think I'll be able to get my point across easier plus, it's much harder to fob someone off face to face!!
Geworgie,
Print off the docs and take them with you.
As an update, the doctor called me back yesterday and she'd spoken to a consultant endocrinologist at my local hospital who was satisfied with my test results. 🤔 So don't feel I can push any harder on that but she did (reluctantly) agree to do redo the test in 4 weeks time so I guess that's something.
Geworgie,
I suggest you see another GP now or increase your own dose by 25mcg.
I'm not currently on any medication for thyroid so I can't increase a dose myself! ☹️
Geworgie,
I strongly urge you to see another GP for a second opinion and to provide the docs you were linked to support your case for Levothyroxine.
I want to; I'm not comfortable with the results myself either but i feel like if the Dr spoke to the consultant I may just get laughed out of town, even with all the print outs.
I spoke to the midwife who didn't seem concerned but also didn't have any knowledge on thyroid issues so it didn't set my mind at ease particularly!
My result was actually 4.8 not 4.08 so I will be speaking with the Dr again to find out why a high result AND a borderline result doesn't warrant looking into...
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