Newly diagnosed... test result help

[MrsR1412]

Hi, I have recently been diagnosed as hypothyroid. I have spent a lot of time reading up on it and reading through posts here. Would love some advice on blood results.. I will attach a photo. I have been taking 25mg of Levothyroxine since 22nd December, Still feel rubbish

Any help/advice greatly appreciated

Thanks

[Marz]

Cannot read results - please type them in if possible !

[MrsR1412 in reply to Marz]

Thanks for replying. I didn’t realise that would happen with the picture.

Sept 2017

Serum TSH level 4.860. 0.55-4.78 my/L

Serum free T4 level 14-600 pmol/L 10-18.7 pmol/L

Dec 2017

Se thyroid peroxidase Ab conc 107.000 u/mL 0-60u/mL

Serum free T4 level 16.900 pmol/L 10-18.7 pmol/L

Serum TSH level 5.390mu/L 0.55-4.78mu/L

I was prescribed 25mg of Levothyroxine following the second bloods. Felt like I had to beg the doctor to do something! Have got my next blood test in a weeks time.

Many thanks.

[Marz in reply to MrsR1412]

So you have Hashimotos and need a dose increase urgently. 25mcg is such a small dose and only for people that are old or have a heart problem

INSIST on tests for B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD ....and then post in a new thread with results when you have them.

There are 1000's of post here about Hashimotos - so read and read. We have to help ourselves. Going gluten free could be a good step ....

Most of us feel better with a TSH at 1 or under and the T4 and T3 in the upper part of the range ....

Happy to help

[MrsR1412]

Thanks, That was the conclusion that I was coming too. I’ve been gluten free for almost 4 weeks now. Can I ask my GP for those extra blood tests or will I only get them privately? Are they to detect any vitamin deficiencies? I guess I’ll have to wait until I get the results of my next bloods on the 19th to have a dosage increase. The doctor said they will only increase by 25mcg after each set of bloods, thinking it may take a while to reach a beneficial dose 😕

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ask GP to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

These are often too low when we have Hashimoto's.

Unless frail or heart condition they should have started you on 50mcg

Nice guidelines saying how to initiate and increase

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

Note most patients need between 100mcg and 200mcg

GP's often under dose, thinking anywhere in range is good enough

Most Hashimoto's patients need TSH between 0.2 and 1.0 with FT4 near top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

See if you can get full thyroid retesting and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3

Private tests are available

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.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

Very good you have gone gluten free. Watch out for cross contamination eg shared cutting board, toaster, jam, butter etc

[MrsR1412 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your reply. I am definitely going to ask for the extra tests.