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Have I got thyroid issues?!

maskedfirefly profile image
9 Replies

Hi

I’m new to this group so I hope this is allowed....

I’ve just had a thyroid function test and my results have come back. My doctors wants to see me to discuss them. If I can have any advice on what he may or may not say/suggest....

Many thanks in advance

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maskedfirefly profile image
maskedfirefly
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9 Replies
Marz profile image
Marz

Your TSH is over range which indicates you are Hypo. No FT4 and FT3 test results - which would give a better picture of what is going on.

Your low in range MCV could point to anaemia - but no test results for Ferritin. Also B12 - Folate and VitD need testing as they must be optimal for your thyroid hormones to work well. I would also ask for a Full Iron Profile if your Ferritin is low.

Welcome to the forum !

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply toMarz

There is a Free T4 of 15.1 pmol/L (12 - 22), which is less than half way through the range.

Since TSH is over the range it makes me think that Free T3 might be low in range.

maskedfirefly profile image
maskedfirefly in reply tohumanbean

Hi what does this mean?! I have no idea so sorry to have to ask lol!.

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply tomaskedfirefly

The hormones produced by the thyroid are usually referred to as T4 and T3. Other organs of the body such as the liver and the gut can also convert T4 into T3.

T4 is a storage hormone - the body can store it to some extent and use it when necessary. T4 is mostly inactive.

T3 is the active hormone and it isn't stored to any great extent as far as I'm aware, and is more likely to be produced as and when necessary if T3 gets used up and someone has a healthy thyroid and a healthy body.

The body can use T4 and T3 when they are in the form called Free T4 and Free T3, and it is these last two that are the most useful tests of thyroid function.

Someone who is taking Levothyroxine (which is the standard treatment for hypothyroidism) tends to feel best when Free T4 is in the upper half of the reference range at the very least. Some people need the level to be in the upper thrd or upper quarter of the reference range.

Also when taking Levo, Free T3 usually needs to be as high as the Free T4 for patients to feel well i.e. in the upper half of the range, or possibly the upper third or quarter. Sadly, doctors rarely test the level of Free T3. It is low Free T3 that gives patients their symptoms.

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply tomaskedfirefly

There is a Free T4 of 15.1 pmol/L (12 - 22), which is less than half way through the range.

In that statement I wrote above, the level of Free T4 in your blood at the time of testing was 15.1 pmol/L.

pmol/L is the units of measurement for Free T4.

(12 - 22) is officially called the reference range, but doctors often call it the "normal range" which annoys many of us because there is nothing normal about it. It is supposed to show the range of values found in the middle 95% of a group of healthy people.

The middle of the range (12 - 22) is 17. Your result is below 17, so is in the lower half of the range. If your result was over 22 then it would be above range, and if it was below 12 then your result would be below the range.

Sadly, the people who are tested to produce a reference range are rarely checked for ill-health, so the reference ranges are often not accurate.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tohumanbean

Thanks humanbean - ooops ! - missed that :-)

maskedfirefly profile image
maskedfirefly in reply toMarz

Thank you for your swift reply.

I have an appointment with my doctor on Tuesday at his request to discuss these results, I’m not sure if he’s aware that I can view them or not.

He has asked me to book a repeat thyroid function test for March, but so far this is it. Again this came through a text message from the surgery auto system and didn’t come from anyone verbally.

I’m wanting to go into Tuesdays appointment with as much info as possible.

B12 definancy runs in my family, with my mum and aunt both suffering from it and my sisters being low in her pregnancy last year.

Thank you for the warm welcome

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tomaskedfirefly

No B12 result above :-( The link below is the main website for this Forum where you can read and learn so you will know more than your GP next Tuesday.

thyroiduk.org

Silver_Fairy profile image
Silver_Fairy

Do your mum and aunt suffer from Pernicious Anaemia? Make sure you have B12 tested before supplementing with B12, or it will skew the results. If your B12 comes back really low then ask for intrinsic factor to be tested.

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