Newbie - latest blood results

[Maggiemcq]

Hi, I’m new to the group though not thyroxine which I’ve been on for many years after being treated for an over active thyroid turned into an under active one. Anyway I feel rubbish most of the time, v tired even after I get up! I’m peri menopausal. I’m not great to live with cos I can be a bit moody and I’m not feeling in complete control of myself. Today I asked the dr to email my last results which I was asked to repeat in 8 weeks, though another dr didn’t know why?

Free t 4 17.4 pmol /L (9-24)

Tsh 0.07 mIU/L *L(0.34-5.4)

I have to confess this means nothing to me but I’d like to be more aware. I take 125 thyroxine

Thanks for some help - this is a great group and I wish I’d found it years ago

Thanks

Maggie

[greygoose]

Ignore the star by the TSH, TSH is irrelevant when you are on thyroid hormone replacement. Doesn't matter how low it goes.

The FT4 is good. But, you might not be converting the T4 into T3, and that could be why you don't feel good. But, you won't know about that unless your have an FT3 tested at the same time as your FT4. But, I think you'd have to do that privately. Your doctor wouldn't understand the results, anyway.

[Maggiemcq in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for that. I looked at a couple of the recommended testing web sites but didn’t feel I knew enough about which one to go for. The dr who asked for the test to be repeated says I’m boarder line ....whatever that mean? It’s useless and I guess I’ve just gotten used to feeling rubbish! Thx if you point me in the right direction I’d appreciate it.

[greygoose in reply to Maggiemcq]

How can you be border-line if you've been on levo for years? He's talking rubbish. Border-line what?

Have you looked on this page for private tests?

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/p...

[Maggiemcq in reply to greygoose]

Yes I did look but wasn’t sure which test to go for. I live in the far north of Scotland so it’ll have to postal but there is so many to choose from.

[greygoose in reply to Maggiemcq]

Well, it depends how much you want to spend, I think. I'm not much help, here, because I've never done it. But, first consideration is : how easily can your get your blood taken? Will they do it at your doctor's? Is there a hospital near by that can do a blood draw? If not, you need to go for one of the finger prick tests.

The following tests are all good to have :

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

Tg antibodies

vit D

vit B12

folate

ferritin.

However, if you've already had high antibodies, you don't need to do them again, because any change in level is irrelevant, you still have Hashi's.

So, then it comes down to price. The two basics are FT4 and FT3. You need them done together so that you can compare them to see how well you're converting.

The nutrients, whilst important, are extras. They don't absolutely need to be done right away. You might be able to get your doctor to do them, anyway.

So, I hope that helps you choose.

[Maggiemcq]

Thanks so much. Will look into it. I’m getting bloods repeated on 6th - so will ask about t3 & t4 and ask about nutrients too.

[greygoose in reply to Maggiemcq]

You're welcome. Good luck!

[silverfox7]

The aim is to get your FT4 and your FT3 in the top third or even en the top quarter of their respective range so don't let you GP lower your medication as I'm expecting him to be worried about your TSH which isn't a problem but many think it is!

[Maggiemcq in reply to silverfox7]

Thank you very much for the advice. I really don’t understand why they don’t treat the patient and not just the numbers ☹️

[silverfox7 in reply to Maggiemcq]

Suspect because they don't understand it all so going purely by numbers it's not seen to be their fault!

[Maggiemcq]

New results FT4 up 19.1 and TSH 0.07 as before. Dr leaving medication at 125 Levo and I have to say I’m feeling better than I have for ages which I think is because I take Levo at night and not with food or any other medication- thanks to the advice on here 😊 Any thoughts on my results appreciated