Help with blood results

[Tinaevans]

Hi, can anybody help me with my sons blood results?

we have been told they are all normal but he is very fatigued, can't concentrate and really struggling.

12.06.2018

Serum TSH 5.07 .30-5.5 mn/l

Serum free T4 17.6 11.50-22.70 pmol/L

Se thyriod peroxidase Ab <25.0 0.00-33.9 iu/ml

Vit D 93 50-125 nmol/L

Serum folate 11.5 3.9-20 ug/L

serum Vit B12 800 223-1132 ng/L

Serum ferritin 65 30-284 ug/L

[SlowDragon Administrator]

His vitamin levels appear pretty good. Is that with supplements or just naturally his levels?

TSH obviously on high side.

You need FT3 and TG antibodies tested as well, but will have to do these privately as NHS refuses

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. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

Is this how this test was done?

How old is he? Any other symptoms?

[Tinaevans in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi

Thank you for your quick response.

He is 22 and completely fatigued.

The test was done by the GP and as you state refused to do FT3 and TG antibodies.

He takes 305mg ferrous fumarate daily.

I have had an under-active thyroid for over 23 years and can't help but think he may be the same.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Tinaevans]

So did GP diagnose Anaemia before ferrous fumerate was started?

I understand your concern. Suggest you get TSH, FT4 FT3 and both antibodies tested privately

His vitamin D, folate and B12 are very good if not been supplementing these

Make sure to do thyroid test as early as possible in morning and fasting

[Tinaevans in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your help x

[Faquestions]

A Coeliac blood test is always a good idea if fatigued.

[eeng]

I agree with @Faquestions that a coeliac test would be good. It's unusual for a man to be low on iron. Coeliacs have trouble absorbing iron from their food. I think you have to consume gluten regularly when you have the test, but even if it comes back negative it might be worth your son doing the 'gluten challenge' - which I believe means cutting out gluten completely for 2 weeks, then reintroducing it and seeing if you can feel the difference. Many people with hypothyroidism are sensitive to gluten.

A TSH of 5 is high. Many countries diagnose hypothyroidism with a lower TSH than 5.07. A norwegian study showed that over 90% of people without thyroid problems have a TSH between 0.5 and 1.5, so a TSH of over 5 is not normal. TSH varies throughout the day, being highest in the early hours of the morning, so next time he has a thyroid check he should get an appointment as early as possible, so that his TSH has more chance of being over the 5.5 limit for that lab. Many labs have lower limits than that even in the UK.

I think you are on the right track. If the coeliac test comes back negative your son could try taking some NDT (Natural Dessicated Thyroid) to see whether it helps him. (This is assuming the doctor refuses to prescribe Levothyroxine). It will upset the doctor but at least should confirm whether or not your son needs thyroid medication.

[kluang]

so sorry your son is unwell, and I hope you can get him sorted out soon. You really do need a proper test and you can buy your own privately, particularly for the T3 which the NHS won't do and which is very important as it is the active hormone that the cells need for them to work. You might try and change your doctor as some are more enlightened than others, and another doctor might well treat a patient with a TSH as high as your son has.

[Kimiiclee]

Does that read that his tsh is 5.07?? If so he will be feeling all those things as at that reading he is hypothyroid. If my tsh isnt about 0.30 i am very hypothyroid. You need to get him treated and find out where his tsh sits best for him. This is a trial and error journey but you will find his right tsh. I also have to take t3 with t4 to get symptomatic relief of all the hypothyroid symptoms. Hope this helps.