After a few years of getting my TSH checked and it slowly creeping up, I decided to pay for the private blood test. I’ve been having symptoms such as weight gain, very dry skin and lots of ectopic heart beats (benign).
My results have come back as follows:
TSH - 4.51 (0.27-4.20)
Free thyroxine - 15.00 (12:00-22:00)
Free T3 - 5.63 (3.1-6.80)
The medichecks Doctor has confirmed that my TSH is mildly elevated but thyroxine and FT3 are “reassuringly normal”.
Could TSH at this level be causing my symptoms? And will my GP do anything if I go and see her with these results? Or will I have to wait until my TSH is over 10?
I’m a 26 year old female with a strong family history of hypothyroidism.
Many thanks
Anna
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Mindbop
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Did you only have those 3 tests done? Did you not have thyroid antibodies and vitamins and minerals - the Thyroid Check UltraVit test?
Those results show you are hypothyroid, your TSH is over range and that result would get you a diagnosis in another country. In the UK, however, we have to wait until TSH reaches 10 unless we have a very enlightened doctor.
You can discuss subclinical hypothyroidism with your GP - see
Arranging blood tests to measure thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4)
... snipped
•The recommendation on suspecting subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) if TSH is above the reference range and FT4 is within the reference range is based on the clinical guideline UK guidelines for the use of TFTs [Association for Clinical Biochemisty, 2006] and the statements by the Royal College of Physicians The diagnosis and management of primary hypothyroidism [Royal College of Physicians, 2011] and the British Thyroid Association Management of primary hypothyroidism [Okosieme, 2015].
If TSH is between 4 and 10 mU/L and FT4 is within the normal range
◾In people aged less than 65 years with symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism, consider a trial of LT4 and assess response to treatment 3–4 months after TSH stabilises within the reference range — see the section on Prescribing information for further information on initiation and titration of LT4. If there is no improvement in symptoms, stop LT4.
I would read the whole articles and take whatever information may help to discuss with your GP, she will have access to all this information.
It would still be a good idea to test
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
as low levels can bring their own symptoms and you can help by supplementing any low levels of getting treatment for any deficiencies.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I will look into the articles you sent me.
I did get my antibodies tested but they were negative. I didn’t opt for the vitamin tests as I had these done within the last year or so and nothing showed up.
My GP is fairly thorough so I’ll make an appointment with her soon. I just hate the thought that I would need to feel worse before I can start treatment!
I didn’t opt for the vitamin tests as I had these done within the last year or so and nothing showed up.
Have you got those results? Can you post them along with their reference ranges please. As long as they're somewhere within the range then GPs are happy, but there are optimal levels that are needed, particularly for ferritin, for thyroid hormone to work properly. Also levels can fluctuate. We use our store of Vit D up in the winter as we can't make it naturally from the sun. My ferritin plummeted from 119 to 39 when I stopped eating liver for a couple of months. So it would be useful to have current levels just in case any are on the low side.
Were your thyroid antibodies nice and low in range? I've had mine tested 5 or 6 times over the years and they always show somewhere between 6 and 10 for both types, I'm happy that I don't have Hashi's. However, if they're in range but nearer the top end than the lower end, I would be suspicious.
T3 is the active thyroid hormone which controls the metabolism and every cell in the body.
Your free T3 is in the upper part of the normal range which is good so you are not hypothyroid.
Your symptoms could however indicate that you have a thyroid problem - Impaired Sensitivity to Thyroid Hormone, also known as thyroid hormone resistance. With it you need very high T3 levels to overcome the resistance.
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