Blood results

[Trendywends]

Had bloods done last week and did the fasting and no med night before. Results were TSH 11.8 range (0.3 -5.0) T4 14 range ( 11-27). Now the last time I got bloods done they were 3.1 TSH. I am a little worried that fasting and not taking meds night before bearing in mind I was only 10hours without meds when blood was taken has caused a higher result and might be over medicated once I see doc tomorrow. I am new to all this so advice much appreciated.

[shaws Administrator]

With a TSH of 11.8 you are undermedicated and doctor (if you've not been given levo before) should prescribe.

Don't worry as a gap of 24 hours is found to be best for us, the patient, as doctors only look at the TSH and T4 and if we have a blood test shortly after taking thyroid hormones it would result in a very low TSh and T4 etc woulds also be skewed.

If someone is 'overmedicated' their TSH will be much lower.

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[Trendywends in reply to shaws]

I'm on 50mg of Levo just now. My first ever result was 11.9 before I started med so a little worried as why it's so high. I know it's not as high as some people's can be.

[greygoose in reply to Trendywends]

You just need an increase in levo, that's all. Not taking your dose of levo the night before, won't have any effect on your TSH, because it doesn't react that fast. But, just leaving ten hours between your last dose of levo and the blood draw could mean that your FT4 was slightly higher than it should have been. But, with that TSH, you do need an increase in dose, anyway, so don't worry.

[shaws Administrator]

Hi, you have no thyroid history in your Profile. I have looked at a couple of your post posts.

If you've been on thyroid hormones for months, your dose is far too low. The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower. Many doctors though think that a TSH anywhere within the range is fine but it isn't. Request an increase of 25mcg and tell GP the aim is a TSH of 1 or below. You need a blood test every six weeks with a 25mcg increase. If you've not also had vitamins/minerals checked, ask for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate next time.

[jimh111]

There's no need to fast, it has a small effect. As you are on levothyroxine skipping the previous night's tablet will cause your TSH to show a little higher than it really is. Nonetheless you do need an increase probably up to 100 mcg, but it's OK to go to 75 mcg for now. It's important to let the doctor know how you are feeling, the blood test is only for guidance.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

50mcg is only a starter dose

Nice guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine

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

Ask GP to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 plus thyroid antibodies if not been done

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's