Blood test

[Chloecaff]

So I went to see my GP a week or two ago and he gave me my form to go back for my bloods at the end of this moth (12weeks after I was diagnosed)

I’ve noticed that he’s only re testing my TSH, even though my folate was low too

[shaws Administrator]

He should test you every six weeks after beginning taking levothyroxine and give you an increase of 25mcg each time until your TSH is 1 or lower.

The blood tests should be not be TSH only - TSH means thyroid stimulating hormone and is from the pituitary gland.

The least he should do is TSH and T4 but we need more than that. If he wont you can get a private test from one of our two labs.

Ideally a Full Thyroid Blood Test is TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. Antibodies are important as it distinguishes between hypothyroidism or hashimoto's. Hashi's is an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease and the antibodies attack the thyroid gland and it wax and wanes until we are hypothyroid and going gluten-free can help reduce the antibodies. Treatment is the same for hypo or hashi's.

We have to read, learn and ask questions as most of us find doctors know little as do endocrinologists.

This is the procedure for blood tests (i.e. TSH is highest early a.m. and drops throughout the day) and that seems to be all doctors look at.

Make the appointment a few weeks ahead and it has to be the earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards. This helps to keep the TSH at its highest and prevents the doctors reducing dose unnecessary if TSH is too low.

Ask GP to also test B12, Vit D, iron and ferritin if he's not already done so.

Always get a copy of your blood test results with the ranges. Ranges are important and allows members to comment on the results if you post them.

The aim is a TSH of 1 or below, and a Free T4 and Free T3 in the upper part of the ranges.

[grannydoug in reply to shaws]

"TSH is earliest a.m. and drops throughout the day) and that seems to be all doctors look at."

Sorry shaws - forgive me - but just to clarify - but do you mean "TSH should be highest am?"?

[shaws Administrator in reply to grannydoug]

Apologies as I made a mistake - no wonder it has confused you. It is now corrected. "TSH is at it's highest" early a.m in our body. It drops throughout the day and if we have a blood test late afternoon the TSH will be lower and may prevent the doctor giving us an increase in dose.

[grannydoug in reply to shaws]

No problem shaws ! You provide a great service to us all so slip-ups are 'allowed'! Thanks. 😊

[shaws Administrator in reply to grannydoug]

[Chloecaff in reply to shaws]

Hi Thankyou, I thought it wasn’t right, my serum folate was low so thought he would have checked that again, I can’t get an appointment or even a phone call before I have to have my bloods now so I will have to make a note of this and check it all for next time

[shaws Administrator in reply to Chloecaff]

My surgery allows to make a blood test appointment weeks in advance.

[Chloecaff in reply to shaws]

Really? I can’t make an appointment I have to go to my local walk in or hospital for my bloods done and then wait for a phone call for my results

[grannydoug in reply to Chloecaff]

Yes it seems to vary (and change!) from surgery to surgery even within the same area/district. Hope you get sorted soon.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Chloecaff]

In effect you have no choice of timing either.