Blood tests...

[Shareenc]

I was told to get my bloods done and post results but the only ones they did were my TSH, T4 and T3

T4 11.7 (9-19)

TSH 2.16 (0.30-5)

T3 3.5 (3.25-6.21)

I know it isn't much but can anyone gauge anything from those? I'd appreciate the help

[shaws Administrator]

You need to add the ranges of the tests. Ranges are in brackets after the results. To add them click on the down arrow and select edit if you are able to add them today.

Those tests above are routine and I believe that's all doctors request. They or whoever trains them, believe that these are sufficient. I will say your TSH is too high and you need an increase to bring it down to 1 or lower. Your T3 looks low. Labs differ in their machines so ranges are different.

We usually request one of the private labs to do home pin-prick tests.

[Shareenc in reply to shaws]

I added them... I asked about T3 med he said he has never prescribed it and knows nothing much about it all. I asked if I could see a specialist and he said they wouldn't see me if he referred me.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Sharee

You appear to be undermedicated but we need the reference ranges. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges if that is where you feel well.

If your GP won't do the other tests then you'll have to do what lots of us do and that's a private test with one of our recommended labs.

[Shareenc in reply to SeasideSusie]

How much do these tests cost? My sister has recently been diagnosed with hashimotos as her doctor checked her antibodies but my doc usually just does the tsh

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Shareenc]

Sharee

The cheapest way is with a thyroid/vitamin/mineral bundle which includes

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

TG antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

medichecks.com/thyroid-func... (frequently on offer for £79) on Thursdays

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Sharee

Yes you are undermedicated. Both FT4 and FT3 are very low in range and your TSH needs to be around 1 or below. You need an increase in your dose of Levo, 25mcg now, retest in 6 weeks.

In support of your request for an increase use the following information from thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... > Treatment Options

"Dr Toft states in Pulse Magazine, "The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

Dr Toft is past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist. You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing Dionne at

[e-mail]

[Shareenc in reply to SeasideSusie]

Wow that's a lot to take in. He raised my dosage today from 75mg to 100g with bloods done again in 6wks. The only reason he did it is because I informed him that I am very symptomatic and if he didn't do something I would buy T3 and self medicate. Why do doctors not take this condition seriously.. every day is a struggle. Thank you so much for your help

[shaws Administrator]

SeasideSusie has responded re your range results. Most doctors don't know anything at all except the TSH and they are happy when it's somewhere in the range - even the top when it should be at the bottom. i.e. 1 or lower.

[Shareenc in reply to shaws]

I'm shocked at how much we are brushed off even though it's tough to function when levels aren't right