I think I have hypothyroidism...

[Gabbychapman94]

Hey everyone I have only just joined and have done so because I am showing a lot of the signs and symptoms but my blood tests are all ‘normal’. Can anyone help?

[Gabbychapman94]

I have just had some tests...I have had a TSH which was 2.8 and a FT4 which is 9.0. I’m having a FT3 test this week

[Gabbychapman94]

Ref ranges?

TSH was 0.4-4.5

FT4 was 8.0-18.0

I think that’s what you need?

My Aunty has an overactive Thyroid

[Gabbychapman94]

I’m having the freet3 on Wednesday. Does the thyroid antibodies test get done via blood test too?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gabbychapman94]

Your FT4 is low in the range

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

FT4 and FT3 should be tested at same time as TSH

Essential to test thyroid antibodies plus vitamins

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 TSH, FT3 and FT4 thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

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 autoimmune thyroid disease or Hashimoto's

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

[Gabbychapman94 in reply to SlowDragon]

I know I do have some of the symptoms and I have been struggling for a while now. Would you suggest the tests from online?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gabbychapman94]

Many of us on here have to use private tests either to get diagnosed in first place, or for on going monitoring as NHS very often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies if TSH is in range

If getting private tests then, if can afford to, pay for vitamin tests at same time

[Gabbychapman94 in reply to SlowDragon]

I’ve had my vitamin D checked and it was 19. I think the healthy range is 20-50 but my doctor said I should be at 50? So that was really low

[Gabbychapman94]

They really have been fobbing me off. I’ve even been to an endocrinologist and they haven’t done any checks on me😔 really getting me down! Did you have this problem to get tested?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Gabbychapman94]

Yes, I had a problem being tested (no one took a blood test) but I was diagnosed with other 'things' and given medication but not diagnosed as hypothyroid.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

At the next blood test ask for Thyroid antibodies to be tested as antibodies are the main cause of hypothyroidism. If you have antibodies, you'd have an Auoimmune Thyroid Disease commonly called Hashimoto's and eating gluten-free food can help reduce the attack of the antibodies on the gland.

Blood tests for thyroid hormones have to be at the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and if you were taking levothyroxine you'd allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards.

You also need B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate checked if you haven't had them tested.

When you post results, also quote the ranges. Ranges are the figures in brackets.

[Gabbychapman94 in reply to shaws]

Hi again, I have just got my results for my FT3 blood test:

Range was 3.8-6.0 and my result was 4.7.

What does anyone suggest I do now?

Thanks in advance!

[rslnhwt in reply to Gabbychapman94]

A higher FT3 than FT4 suggests your body is rapidly converting T4 to T3, which is suggestive of hypothyroid state.

It will be difficult to get diagnosed with your current values. I'd recommend you get your antibodies tested.

[Gabbychapman94 in reply to rslnhwt]

Thank you for the reply! I’m tearing my hair out with all this now!

Will the doctors do that blood test to test for that?

[rslnhwt in reply to Gabbychapman94]

It really depends on your GP. There's no harm going and asking for it. If you see an endo, they'll be more likely to do it.

I personally got it done through Medichecks as it's less hassle to me than trying to convince my GP...

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

Medichecks has plenty of offers so if you end up ordering off there, try and get a Thyroid Thursday offer

[shaws Administrator in reply to Gabbychapman94]

Because we have to read, learn and ask questions you'd think it was the members here who are trying to become endocrinologists

It's just that we have to do so as the Endocrinologists and GPs don't seem to know much at all. If we want to get better it is good we have this forum as you get plenty of responses from others who've also had similar situations.

[Linthyro]

Hi,

Why not ask to see an endocrinologist? They may help by looking further into your symptoms. Keep going back to your GP or change your GP, I was undiagnosed for a few years and only got a correct diagnosis of hypothyroidism when I changed my GP.