These are the results of the tests that my doctor did (as mentioned above). (It said they were borderline).
Serum TSH level < 0.03 mu/L [0.35 - 4.94]
Below low reference limit.
Serum free T4 level 16.6 pmol/L [9.0 - 19.0]
Serum vitamin D level 89.2 nmol/L
71-200 nmol/l Replete
Note: Optimum vitamin D level is seen in Autumn.
I'm wondering if I did do the right thing increasing my levo because my hair suddenly got worse, lots thinner on top and the crown than ever it was, and my finger nails are dreadful. I never could grow them long but they did look normal. Now they are back to splitting and peeling again and barely growing.
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Ellie-Louise
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You will need to retest 6-8 weeks after dose increase
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 or vitamins
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 test. 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 important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
That was the re-test SlowDragon, but due to my husbands cancer op all thoughts of making the appointment for 6-8 weeks went straight out of my mind. So it was around 12 weeks when I booked the test.
You will notice that Vit D was one of the tests done. All other vitamin levels are fine.
The doctor had agreed that I might need an increase because of tiredness. He let me increase from 75 to 100 and I also needed to increase my Vit D too as I was desperately low.
About 80-90% 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 important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
Yes, I do take K2 with my D3 and I am on top of all my other necessary vitamins.
What I was actually wondering was if it was the extra Levo causing my worsened hair problem. It was never like it is now and I’ve been on a dose of some measure for 10 years now. It seemed coincidental that a few weeks after upping my dose that the problem occurred.
But thank you for writing so much in reply, I appreciate your input SlowDragon.
If you have increased Levothyroxine so that TSH becomes suppressed, and you also have a conversion problem then FT3 can drop, despite increase in Levothyroxine
So it's important to test FT3, alongside FT4 and TSH
Hashimoto's (high antibodies) and/or low vitamins can reduce conversion
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Latest test results - do I need to increase my T4/ T3?
Can someone take a look at my latest test results please.
Latest thyroid results. I'm guessing it's increase of levo needed
