Help with blood results!

[Kooks]

Hello guys,

I'm getting so frustrated as I just cannot understand my thyroid blood results. The doctor has even drawn out a diagram, Iv been told numerous times from my nurse and I just have a mental block to it and Im crying because I just dont't get it 😒

I was on 100mcg of Levothyroxine for 11 years for an under active thyroid, checked yearly and no problem. September last year my T4 spiked to 30 (not sure what my TSH was). So, my thyroxine was reduced to 50mcg until weeks ago and I now alternate 50mcg/75mcg as I feel absolutely rotten!!

This morning I requested another reading.....waiting a few days for the results.

Here are my past test results.....do they look normal?

30/10/17 - TSH 0.02/free T4 21

22/11/17- TSH 0.02/free T4 15

18/01/17 - TSH .31/free T4 17

Free T4 normal range 10-25

TSH normal range 0.55 - 4.78

Thanks for your help 🙂

[bantam12]

If your T4 was 24 and the range goes to 25 there was no need to reduce the dose especially by that much, it doesn't matter if T4 goes above the range as long as T3 is not over. You really need a T3 test done and if that's ok then go back to your original dose, assuming you felt fine on it.

[Kooks in reply to bantam12]

Thanks for reply bantam12...I did request a T3 test but was refused 😞 My original test in September 17 showed a spike of 30 on my T4, hence the thyroxine reduction

[bantam12 in reply to Kooks]

You can order a blood test kit from Medichecks if your doc won't do T3.

[Kooks in reply to bantam12]

will do

[greygoose]

Has your doctor ever taken the trouble to test your antibodies? If not, ask to have them done. I doubt your FT4 of 30 had anything to do with your dose of 100 mcg. It just doesn't work like that.

[Kooks in reply to greygoose]

Once I get these results back I will ask about antibodies testing. Thank you

[greygoose in reply to Kooks]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kooks]

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

Don't just test FT3, you must do TSH, FT4 and FT3 together as absolute minimum

Ideally test them all. Testing must be after 6-8 weeks on constant unchanging dose ideally

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. 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 common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get both TPO and TG antibodies tested at least once

[Kooks in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for this wealth of information. A lot to take in but Ill pick through it for sure x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kooks]

If your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's

Low vitamins are especially common so we need to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Essential to test both TPO and TG antibodies at least once