I am new to this forum a friend told me about this forum. I have been on Thyroxine for a very long time. I have a Under Active Thyroid and have never lost weight which I was told I would when taking this medication.
I have regular blood test just routine ones and my friend advised me to ask for my T4 and TSH levels to be checked. The tests have come back and my TSH Level is 2.80 and my T4 Level is 19.4 which apparently the doctor has said these are both normal and nothing to worry about.
Please could I have some advice.
many thanks
Kim
Written by
Kimboichat
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Thank you very much for you information. I have never been told not to take my Thyroxine before a blood test and never been told not to drink tea, coffee, etc or not to eat any breakfast. Really annoys me that these doctors could help us more and probably save us going to the doctors so much. I have lots of other health conditions and on 25 tablets a day.
A TSH of 2.8 means you're under-medicated. But, as it's in-range, your doctor thinks it's fine, because he doesn't know much about thyroid - none of them do. When on thyroid hormone replacement, (levo) the TSH should be one or under. So, as you're FT4 looks to be top of the range, it must mean that you're not converting T4 to T3 very well. And that is why you can't lose weight. But, doctors have no idea about that.
It would therefore be a very good idea to get your FT4 and FT3 tested at the same time, to find out. But, as the NHS doesn't like doing that, you might have to have it done privately.
It would also be a very good idea to get your antibodies, vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested. They are probably low, and causing symptoms.
Well, the depression, fibro, leg pain, heartburn, IBS, high blood pressure and fatigue are probably all due to your under-treated hypo. And/or nutritional deficiencies.
Taking omeprazole won't help anything. It will affect your absorption of nutrients and levo. And you probably have low stomach acid, not high. The symptoms are the same and doctors don't know the difference so hand out PPIs like sweeties. I'm pretty sure that if you were adequately medicated for hypo, you could get rid of about half that shopping list of drugs you're taking. Doctors are so damned useless!
I also have Fibromyalgia, OA, TMJ in my jaw, PVD in my eye, Spinal Cord Stimulator fitted to help with pain in my legs as have prolapsed disc L5/S1, IBS, Heartburn, Under Active Thyroid, High blood pressure, Fatigue, problems with my hips. So in pain 24/7.
No they never test any of the T's just a normal Thyroid test. Will have to go back and see if I can get all of them done without taking the medication on the morning of the blood test and not eating either.
Sadly, we have to take charge of our own health as the doctors are mostly clueless about this. Read everything you can, the experts on here are second to none and I would have been lost without them. I was stuck on a stupidly low dose of levo for over 2 years and every time I was told - it's fine, within range etc and patronised. I got private tests, feedback from here and got some power back and finally I am starting to feel human again!
Sadly, we have to take charge of our own health as the doctors are mostly clueless about this. Read everything you can, the experts on here are second to none and I would have been lost without them. I was stuck on a stupidly low dose of levo for over 2 years and every time I was told - it's fine, within range etc and patronised. I got private tests, feedback from here and got some power back and finally I am starting to feel human again!
Where do we get the private tests done. I’m on 200 mcg of Levothyroxine. Had under active for abt 25 yes. Can’t lose weight and piled on over a stone in last year alone. He says I’m in range and won’t give me t3 to see if it works. He says it’s menopause. Never been diagnosed with menopause yet with any tests. Looking for some good advice to take back to him.
I got mine from Blue Horizon - they often have special offers on - Medichecks is another popular one. Don't be fobbed off with being 'in range' - ask for a printout of your results which you are entitled to and post results on here for advice. Menopause is another favourite excuse or I was told "Well life is tiring" ….grrrrrr Arm yourself with facts and perhaps you can educate him!
Got my results but they didn’t after me asking do my tt4 and ft3 Only did the Tsh and ft4. Tsh was 6.07 and ft4 11.7 so obv I’m struggling but can’t unsertand when the girl taking blood asked for tt4 and ft3 to be done they have ignored it. Made an appmnt for doc as I’m not happy. My ferritin was 10 so low iron too. No wonder I’ve gained a stone half and sleeping all time
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Medichecks blood test, low T4
T3/T4 blood test timing 
Blood test results help - Low T3 and T4
Blood test help please T4/T3 combo 
High Free T3 Level on recent blood test
