Blood results: Hi can anyone interpret results... - Thyroid UK

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Blood results

cs_noakes profile image
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Hi can anyone interpret results for me please? Asked for bloods as unable to lose weight after having a baby & breastfeeding.

T3 - 4.3 (3.10-6.80)

T4 - 13.7 (12.00 - 22.00)

TFT - TSH level - 1.81 (0.27-4.30)

Have had lots of bloods done but not sure what is relevant.

Thanks

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cs_noakes
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19 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

There's no history in your Profile.

Have you been diagnosed as hypothyroid or with hashimoto's?

Some women do become hypothyroid after childbirth.

What dose of levothyroxine do you take?

If you've not been diagnosed due to your low TSH (we usually have to wait until it reaches 10). Some doctors will prescribe if it reaches top of range which in your case would be 4.30 taking account of your symptoms.

However (and I am not medically qualified) both your T4 and T3 are too low and could cause symptoms.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Ask GP to test for thyroid antibodies. Also B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Blood tests for thyroid hormones should always be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and test and take afterwards.

cs_noakes profile image
cs_noakes in reply toshaws

No I am not on any medication & have no diagnosis. Was told today that all my bloods are perfect & the inability to lose weight even though I am training hard & eating well is due to breastfeeding. He did a lot of bloods non of which I understand. Ill get them out & post them.

cs_noakes profile image
cs_noakes in reply toshaws

Bloods were not fasting. He didn't do ferritin, vitamin D or antibodies.

Serum folate -15.1 (3.90 - 26.80)

Serum vitamin B12 - 62.1 (197.00-771.00)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tocs_noakes

You must have TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested, plus vitamin D and ferritin

Did you have B12 and folate tested?

post partum Thyroiditis can occur in year after giving birth

Or Hashimoto's is more common too (autoimmune thyroid disease)

nhs.uk/conditions/thyroiditis/

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tocs_noakes

Your bloods are not perfect, The first and most important is your B12 result which is very low. He should test the 'intrinsic factor' of B12 to ensure you don't have pernicious anaemia. You could also go over to the Pernicious Anaemia forum for advice too.

Folate is too low and I will add in SeasideSusie who can advise about folate etc and the other necessary tests you need.

You definitely need TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. You can get a private blood test from one of our two labs who will do the whole range for you and the are home pin-prick tests and make sure you are well=hydrated a couple of days before blood draw and that arms/hands are warm.

Blue Horizon and Medichecks are the labs and both do all of those necessary. Medichecks has a special offer on Thursday's which might include some of those you need.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply tocs_noakes

Cs_noakes

Your Ferritin is just about half way through range and it's recommended to be at least half way so it's not bad.

B12, if 62.1 is not a typo, is very worrying. You must get tested for pernicious anaemia. My cousin had a level of 73 and was very unwell and symptomatic. Pernicious anaemia is the most common cause of B12 deficiency.

You can check symptoms here b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

You need to get Vit D and Ferritin tested.

cs_noakes profile image
cs_noakes in reply toSeasideSusie

B12 is 621, sorry my little one was kicking the phone whilst I was feeding him.

cs_noakes profile image
cs_noakes in reply toshaws

Dr has agreed to test for thyroid antibodies, ferritin and folate. He does not feel any tests need to be done fasting so is not repeating the previous ones. Could you advise me on what I am looking for when I get results? Thank you.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tocs_noakes

I'm sorry not to have replied sooner.

The aim of vitamins/minerals testing is to know whether or not we are deficient. Deficiencies also cause clinical symptoms, so have to make sure all of them towards the top of the range.

Doctors are unaware of why fasting is best for testing. Eating before a blood test for thyroid hormones and having test later in the day will show a different TSH to a very early a.m. fasting etc. one. TSH drops throughout the day. TSH has a diurnal effect daily.

It is good GP is testing for antibodies. If high they confirm an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease, i.e. Hashimoto's (the commonest form of hypo) as the antbodies attack the thyroid gland and wax an wane until we're hypothyroid. It is also called hashi's for short. Antibodies, if present, can be helped reduce by going gluten-free.

Get a print-out of your results with the ranges. We aim to be near the top of the range, rather than middle or lower.

cs_noakes profile image
cs_noakes in reply toshaws

Thanks. I have a blood test to check antibodies on Friday morning should I fast for this test? If so what time from. Unfortunately to get a fasting blood test for tsh I need to book another appointment with the gp & request it 🙁

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tocs_noakes

I am not sure about having to fast for antibodies but I'd ask if TSH can also be taken at the same time as antiodies so you get two for the price of one test :)

Doctors know nothing about fasting for thyroid hormones and will tell you it isn't necessary. We, the patient, know TSH is highest a.m. that food reduces TSH and could mean the difference between being diagnosed or not, or dose adjusted unnecessarily.

cs_noakes profile image
cs_noakes in reply toshaws

Had my results today, all still normal ☹

Se thyroid peroxidase Ab conc 5.3 (0.00 - 34.00)

Serum free T3 - 4.5 (3.10 - 6.80)

Serum free T4 - 14 (12.00 - 22.00)

Serum TSH - 1.82 (0.27 - 4.20)

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tocs_noakes

'normal range' is doctors' ideal. Your FT3 should be nearer 6, FT4 is too low, just above bottom of the range - both FT4 and FT3 towards the upper part of the range. TSH 1 or lower.

This is from TUK:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Tick off the symptoms you have.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

I would make a new post and put your results with the ranges, and you will get more responses as this one is now 4 weeks old.

Also copy/paste your vitamins/minerals too.

cs_noakes profile image
cs_noakes in reply toshaws

The Dr has referred me to an endocrinologist & said maybe they will prescribe some thyroxine to help with my symptoms.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tocs_noakes

Don't be disappointed if he wont give you levothyroxine. I would still post your results onto a new page. The more evidence and forewarning before you see an Endocrinologist (most are diabetes specialists rather than thyroid) the better for you.

cs_noakes profile image
cs_noakes in reply toshaws

I have booked an appointment and have been searching google for info. The consultants specialist areas are - Antenatal Diabetes, Thyroid eye disease, Endocrinology & General Diabetes. Does this sound like the right consultant? Obviously it would be ideal if it said Thyroid disorders after pregnancy but I think it would unlikely that I would find one with that specilalist area.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tocs_noakes

I believe it would be Endocrinology although many seem to know more about diabetes than problems with the thyroid gland. I do hope the one you consult with will be knowledgeable and help you.

It is quite stressful waiting for an appointment plus looking after a little baby - so you have your health to consider and anxious to see a sympathetic doctor who is also knowledgeable.

Don't worry too much about weight gain yet, as it can be a 'normal' clinical symptom of hypo and as our dose is increased our metabolism will be raised and weight should reduce.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tocs_noakes

p.s. Always begin a new post for queries because other members, who may have better answers, wont see it if it is put within an old post.

Also, little bit of your history in your Profile lets members look on it for some of your thyroid history background before they respond. :)

You can open a new post and copy and paste your question above and your area as some members might have the right answer for you or recommend a particular Endocrinologist

cs_noakes profile image
cs_noakes in reply toshaws

Thanks for your advice

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