I had a blood test result back yesterday. T4 8 (with a range from 7.5 so classed normal) and TSH 0.94. The last bout of Drs appointments was pretty much the same so I started taking natural hormone from Thailand. It made me feel jittery and I was also told by endo at Paddington Hospital that because my TSH was 0.000 then I was about to die etc - then they discharged me. My worst symptom is chronic hair loss - although maybe be not related.
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adrienne1972
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For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also 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
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. When on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, and if on T3 or NDT don't take in 12 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 are very common too, especially gluten. So it's very important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
Haven't you been taking NDT for a couple of years? If so then your TSH is likely to be very low or suppressed, and FT4 is likely to be low in range. What's important is FT3 result which you probably need in the upper part of the range to feel well.
How are your vitamins and minerals? They need to be optimal for us Hypos and for thyroid hormone to work properly. If you haven't had them tested then it would be a good idea to do so. Main ones are
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