Test results

[BuzzBuzz12]

Hi I had my bloods done on Tuesday of this week and today my surgery rang to say I need to reduce my Levothyroxine from100 micro grams to 75 because my TSHresults was 0.04 but I have felt really good on 100 could anyone give me any advice please only I can’t get in to see my GP till next week

[bantam12]

No no no never reduce dose on a TSH result, you need to see what your T4 and T3 levels are and as long as T3 is in range then your TSH is fine where it is especially as you are feeling well.

[BuzzBuzz12 in reply to bantam12]

Thank for your reply but my gp does not check anything other than TSH I have asked him before and this is the first time I have had any energy or been free of a lot of symptoms I am wondering if next week when I see my gp that if he isn’t happy for me to stay on this dose I’m wondering if I should ask to be referred to a endocrinologist

[bantam12 in reply to BuzzBuzz12]

You need to tell him that without knowing what your T4 and T3 levels are you can't agree to a reduction, if he can't do the tests you could buy a Medichecks finger prick test that includes T4 and T3.

Seeing an Endo in most cases isn't helpful and worst case if the Endo also says reduce dose because of TSH you've kind of shot yourself in the foot as GP will never go against that decision.

[BuzzBuzz12 in reply to BuzzBuzz12]

Thank you I will follow your advice

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

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

low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid and tend to lower TSH

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. When 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).

Come back with new post once you have the results and ranges

[BuzzBuzz12 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you I will follow your advice

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BuzzBuzz12]

Did you get full Thyroid and vitamin testing?

[Howard39]

Hi

GPs have different views re tsh and under range/ suppressed levels.

I agree totally with the others but doubt you’ll ever get a t3 reading. They are able to do t4 tho.

Given you can’t get an immediate apt I’d have the blood test first. Read it( any questions ask us) then you are going in prepared.

If your levels are in range you could point that out. Say one was low like t3 you could say you don’t convert well. Do you have hashimotos? If so you’d point that out.

Also if you have the vitamins tested and anything is low you could ask for say d3.

Otherwise it’s a very hyperthetical conversation.

Pin him or her down.

The worse case scenario- you buy some. You’ll still have information which can only improve your health.

Good luck.

[BuzzBuzz12 in reply to Howard39]

Hi thank you for your reply I’m just a little worried would you know if 0.04 is dangerously low can it cause problems no I haven’t been diagnosed with Hashimoto thanks for any advice

[Howard39 in reply to BuzzBuzz12]

Hi

Mine is suppressed so no there is no danger.

GPs fin and say oh it affects health ( heart) etc but it’s rubbish.

Just in case you’re interested- the free t4 level was fine at 34 done 35 years ago. Then the top range was capped at 28 - they reduced it some( guess here) 7-8 yrs ago to approx 22.

Has our health altered ? Nope.

That’s why most people struggle- too low dose.

Any questions please ask or message.

You’ll need to be prepared

[BuzzBuzz12 in reply to Howard39]

Thank you for your advice

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BuzzBuzz12]

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 primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

One in five Hashimoto's patients never have raised Thyroid antibodies. If this is case, getting an ultrasound scan of thyroid can help diagnose Hashimoto's

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

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

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

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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