Looking for advice re bloods

[aimeeg82]

Hi my recent bloods show

Serum TSH level 2.05 mU/L 0.34-5.6mU/L

Serum free t4 level 9.7 Pmol/L 8-18 pmol/L

Abnormality -

Mean corpusc.Hb.conc (MCHC) 352 g/L 315-345g/L

I have an appointment with a new Dr later today who ordered these tests based on a breif verbal history given and the feeling of fluff/hair in throat, but unless shes read my file she will unaware of my 3 plus year battle with fatigue, extreme exhaustion, palpitations, hair loss to name but a few.

Am i correct in thinking they won't threat me with these levels?

Is there a possible link between the thyroid results and the mchc results? If im going to go to battle with the dr id like to be as informed as possible, previously been fobbed off with "normal" results but not actually told the results (now signed up for online results).

Any advice you can offer is much appreciated.

Thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Am i correct in thinking they won't threat me with these levels?

Yes, they are within range, although your FT4 is very low. However, do some research on central hypothyroidism where the problem lies with the pituitary or hypothalamus and is indicated by TSH being either low, within range or mildly elevated and free T4 being low.

Much less common than primary hypothyroidism and not always recognised by doctors as they only go by results being within range so don't investigate any further.

The MCHC result on it's own isn't enogh. If your MCV is low with a high MCHC that can indicate iron anaemia (what's your ferritin level?). If MCH is high with high MCHC that can indicate folate/B12 anaemia.

[aimeeg82 in reply to SeasideSusie]

From what i can work out ferritin was not tested ( at least not on my results)

MCH is 30.4 27-32pg

Am i correct to question the free t4 result with my dr, even though they are in range?

thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to aimeeg82]

As your MCH is in range then you might want to discuss the significance of MCHC being over range. MCHC is part of a full blood count and is the average concentration of haemoglobin in red blood cells and it is used to help diagnose types of anaemia. That's is all I know about it so I think it would be best to talk to your doctor as I imagine there are other things tested that might be significant along with the MCHC.

As for your FT4, as I said, "TSH being either low, within range or mildly elevated and free T4 being low" is indicative of central hypothyroidism. Do some research, gather some evidence and discuss with your doctor and maybe get a referral to a thyroid specialist if your GP has no knowledge of central hypothyroidism. Be aware that most endocrinologists are diabetes specialists, you need a thyroid specialist and you can obtain a list of thyroid friendly endos from Dionne at [e-mail] then ask on the forum for feedback on any you can get to.

[aimeeg82]

Thanks for your help, I thought my TSH test result was fine ? is that correct? Thankyou.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to aimeeg82]

It's within range so classed as normal. When TSH goes over 2 it can indicate that the thyroid is struggling. But as your FT4 is very close to the bottom of the range with a "normal" TSH and it can indicate central hypothyroidism like I said and that is cause for concern.

[aimeeg82]

Ok thankyou for your help, its a new gp so hoping shes more forward thinking than my previous gp.