Hi all. I would be very grateful if someone on HealthUnlocked would explain my blood results. Iam currently taking 175mcg Levo thyroxine.

[Jamrod]

Blood tests.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Jamrod

TSH and FT4 look good. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their reference ranges, if that is where you feel well. Your results fit that perfectly. How do you feel?

[Jamrod in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for your kind reply SeasideSusie.I saw my GP today and she upped my Levo to 200mcg. I feel tired most days as an added complication I have just discovered I have angina.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jamrod]

Jamrod

I'm surprised your Levo was increased considering your TSH and FT4 result. Did she increase on symptoms?

I wouldn't mind betting that if FT3 was tested you would find that it is low and that you have a conversion issue.

Sorry to hear that you have angina

[Jamrod in reply to SeasideSusie]

GP not interested in testing my FT3. GP very dismissive when I mentioned T3.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jamrod]

Jamrod

Maybe you should do what hundreds of us in the same situation do, private testing will tell you but you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 testing at the same time. You may find that increasing your Levo will push your FT4 over range and then there's danger of making rT3 rather than FT3.

[Jamrod in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeasideSusie I have just signed up with a paid test with medichecks. I will post my results when I receive them.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you know if you have had thyroid antibodies tested?

Had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested either?

[Jamrod in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon for your kind reply. I have not been tested for thyroid antibodies.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jamrod]

Important to test both thyroid antibodies and the vitamins

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies.

Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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 thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.

If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 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 Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten. So it's very important to get antibodies tested.