Thyroid blood results

[Bellmitzi]

Hi can someone have a read of my recent blood results please been feeling unwell very stiff joints here are my results thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Did you get Vit D and Folate tested as suggested in your last thread? Vit D could be linked to your joint problems.

Your TSH is much improved since last time but FT4 is still very low. You need FT3 tested.

What thyroid meds are you on?

Other results all in range as you can see so appear to be fine.

[Bellmitzi in reply to SeasideSusie]

I’m waiting for appointment for blood forms as they weren’t included yet again I’m on 100 Mg levothyroine and I get b12 injections every 3 months thanks for reply what range should my FT4 be around please ty

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bellmitzi]

It's a very individual thing but generally a hypo patient feels best when TSH is 1 or below with FT4 and FT3 in balance in the upper part of their ranges. It's very strange that your FT4 has stayed so low.

[Bellmitzi]

Awe that would be my luck my doctors really don’t want to know could there be any other reason why myFT4 May stay low any idea would be much appreciated as I have no idea on ranges and when I read up I then forget brain fog awful thanks again for your help

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bellmitzi]

The ranges are in brackets beside your results

FT4: 11.4 (11-25)

Most of us would feel best when it's around 19, but like I say it's individual.

Your really ought to know your FT3 as well. T4 is a storage hormone of which some converts to T3 which is the active hormone that every cell in our body needs. I'm not sure how much T3 is being made from such a low FT4, not much I imagine and you will probably remain unwell if FT3 is low.

I don't know why your FT4 isn't rising. I think you should bring this up with your GP

[Bellmitzi in reply to SeasideSusie]

I will be ringing in the morning and writing this down they can check online how many times I’ve been to the surgery to weak to stand I’m so grateful for your help it is very much appreciated thanks again x

[Bellmitzi]

I will ring in the morning I can’t thank you enough for this I’ve been Ill for a long time and no one is listening to me I’m embarrassed to say to people now I’m still feeling ill as it’s gone on for so long thankyou again x

[Bellmitzi]

Yes I am on other medication for epilepsy wonder if this could be the cause but no ones questioning this and I’m on this for life since the age of 3 ty

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bellmitzi]

Google

"the name of your epilepsy med" + levothyroxine interaction

[Bellmitzi in reply to SeasideSusie]

I will do this now and also ask the pharmacist tomorrow as I’m on high dose of 3 epilepsy drugs thankyou

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bellmitzi]

I hope you get some answers.

Do you remember what your results were when originally diagnosed? Did you have a high TSH over 10, which indicates primary hypothyroidism?

[Bellmitzi in reply to SeasideSusie]

I think I posted online I know I’ve still got the results as I ask for them all now as my surgery receptionists think they are gps an been told I’m fine a few times when my results said different thankyou

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bellmitzi]

I'm just thinking about what RFU said about pituitary and central hypothyroidism.

If TSH was over 10 when diagnosed you would have been diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism.

If TSH was within range with a low FT4 that would suggest central hypothyroidism.

With central hypothyroidism there is a problem with either the pituitary or hypothalamus which stops the signal (TSH) getting to the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone. So if you had a TSH over 10 originally then you will have primary hypothyroidism not central hypothyroidism.

However, that doesn't mean that you don't have a pituitary problem now.

[Bellmitzi]

That will be fab I will call in to the pharmacy on my way out of the gp hoping I can get in tomorrow so a miracle is needed there thanks again I will keep you updated

[Jazzw in reply to Bellmitzi]

It is known that phenytoin can reduce the half life of levothyroxine, which, in other words, means that someone taking phenytoin burns through their levo dose much faster than someone who doesn’t. That would mean a higher dose is needed. Obviously I don’t know if that’s one of the anti-epilepsy drugs you’re on, but it just goes to show that these things can cause issues.

[Bellmitzi in reply to Jazzw]

Thanks I’m trying to get through to doctors at this moment and will re post what I’m told later probably not alote but I’m so fed up of being constantly ill sorry I’m moaning but thanks for replying

[MikeM46]

Maybe Dr Wentz knows

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Pergsos yoj could ask?

But anyway, sounds like this is well beyond GP knowledge and even if you got referral to an Endo, you’d need to know it’s one knowledgeable in this field and not “just” diabetes.

[Bellmitzi in reply to MikeM46]

It’s really getting me down now thanks for your reply I’m first goin to see if I can get more bloods done even thinking of buying T3 myself don’t know if this is a good or bad thing thanks for replying