Cannot understand my levels - can anyone help?

[cupcakegirl]

I’ve had three private blood tests now - one in September, one in February and one last week. First two were with Thriva and the latest with Medichecks. What I can’t understand is my relative TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels. I am not yet diagnosed or on any medication.

In September, they were:

TSH 2.02 (0.27-4.3)

FT4 12.5 (12-23)

T4 77.6 (66-181)

FT3 4.55 (3.1-6.8)

Everything seemed quite low compared to TSH

In February:

TSH 2.3 (0.27-4.3)

FT4 15.6 (12-23)

T4 123 (66-181)

FT3 4.95 (3.1-6.8)

So everything seemed optimal

And last week, different company:

TSH 5.95 (0.27-4.2)

FT4 15.7 (12-22)

T4 91.2 (59-154)

FT3 6.53 (3.1-6.8)

I don’t understand this at all - why would TSH be so much higher, FT4 the same, T4 lower and FT3 right at the top of the range?

I’m now doubting all the results and no idea what to trust. Does this latest test make any sense at all?

[greygoose]

One possible explanation is that the pituitary sensed there was not enough T3 in the system and increased the TSH, which increased conversion.

Another explanation is that there was a mistake in the lab. Do you take biotin?

Were all the tests done at the same time of day?

[cupcakegirl in reply to greygoose]

Thanks Greygoose, that’s really helpful.

The very first test was done at almost lunchtime (I didn’t know it was best early morning then), but the two after that were both done at 6am, fasting.

Wondering if a mistake is possible but not sure which would be wrong! May have to repeat but was hoping not to have to spend the money again for a few months at least.

I don’t take biotin or any other supplements at the moment, but I do need to start Vit D and folate based on my recent results.

[greygoose in reply to cupcakegirl]

I would think the last one is wrong, if either of them. It's not logical to see such a high TSH with such a high FT3. It could be due to increased conversion, but not to that extent. Your conversion was quite good in the first couple of tests, anyway, and the FT3 not low enough to warrant such an increase in TSH. Were there no doctor's comments with the tests?

[cupcakegirl in reply to greygoose]

There were doctors comments but they only referenced the elevated TSH - the fact that the rest were in normal range meant they weren’t even mentioned. Not sure if that’s normal, I know ideally a doctor would look at all the levels and make judgements.

[greygoose in reply to cupcakegirl]

Ideally, yes. But the majority don't.

[Salphy]

If you contact medichecks customer service and explain the skewed/unusual results. Maybe ask them to see if they can contact the lab to see if the sample was OK and if anything could have made them inaccurate.

They may offer a new test free or at least discounted. I have had really good experiences of medichecks customer service.

I recently did my bloods but forgot and took my meds beforehand. So I contacted them to ask if I could have my other results (vits etc) on a separate report so I only needed to repeat the thyroid tests.

The lady tried to get me a repeat test for free. Unfortunately her manager said no (which I fully expected as it was my error) and that they weren't able to separate the reports however offered me a new test with £20 off the current offer price (so £40 cheaper than the usual full price) x

[cupcakegirl in reply to Salphy]

Thanks Salphy - I emailed them this morning. I would feel a lot better if I could repeat it. If it is accurate it would seem something isn’t right, or at least there is something a bit unusual going on so it’s important to figure it out.

[Clarrisa]

I live in the states so don’t know have first hand experience with your testing, but recall a post recommending doing these blood tests during the very beginning of the week so that each lab is run sooner rather than later.

[cupcakegirl]

Thriva have come back to me saying they are certain the results are mine and accurate, and they’re going to run it past the medical director on Monday.

Not heard back from Medichecks yet.

To be honest Medichecks seems a bit more legit and I know lots of people here use them, but these latest results are strange. If all the tests are actually correct then it seems something pretty strange is going on with my thyroid.