Hiya
I gave birth to my baby 4 months ago. The blood test I had at 6 weeks postpartum was in range for the tests they do on the NHS, but I'm still very tired and losing a lot of hair. I'm thinking of doing one of the Medichecks thyroid test kits, but wondered if there's an optimum time to do it - ie should I give my body longer to recover first, or does it not work like that?
Many thanks! 
So good you’re aware. Sadly I waited for 9 months and delayed because i ploughed on through 10 years ago post partum. I knew wasn’t post natal depression like they misdiagnose so much and my TSH eventually in excess of 100 so apparently nearly in thyroid coma!! All news to me. But if any GP took time to look at my family history or even test instead of dishing out post natal anti depressants, but they only check TSH range and not check for Hashimoto, which 10 years later, I have now discovered I have after a private Medichecks test and took result to doc (they wouldn’t do it). Been asking for endocrinologist referral and taking into them info about goitrogens and cruciferous veg and being gluten free plus other diet changes but GPs know very little about a hashimoto diet saying just eat balanced healthy. When I should have been off gluten 10 years ago. Now GF and the different is incredible ref gut, digestion, brain fog, tiredness, bloating. If only I knew before. Good luck with yours
Thank you for sharing. The reason I want to look into it further is because I do have a family history of hypothyroidism and my mum still has so many symptoms despite apparently being on the correct dose of thyroxine. I'm trying to get her to do one of the private tests as well. Glad to hear that your diet has really helped, I didn't know about that
Suggest you do test soon and include vitamin tests too
If vitamin levels are low improving these can help a lot. If antibodies are high then gluten free diet often helps too
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. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
Thank you for your reply and advice. I think the reason I was wondering if I should delay is that I was anaemic and Vit D borderline insufficient during pregnancy and still was at 6 weeks. I have been taking supplements for both since, but haven't had it rechecked yet (although I don't feel any less tired either). I wondered whether waiting until my iron and Vit D were within range would give a more accurate picture of my thyroid health because in the test description it says ferritin can be low if you have autoimmune disease, but I think mine will be low because of the anaemia which was likely due to the pregnancy.
Perhaps wait 6-8 weeks after starting vitamin supplements
How low was vitamin D and how much are you supplementing?
Are you taking ferrous fumerate for low iron. Taking each tablet with vitamin C can improve absorption
Eating liver or liver pate once a week should help improve iron levels too
Ok, thank you. I'll wait a little while longer then.
My vitamin D was 50 nmol/L, so borderline, but that's on supplements, so GP asked me to increase to 3000IU for 3 months. I have history of being in the insufficient range (lowest result was 30 nmol/L) despite taking supplements, it was picked up due to chronic pain, but now have stronger supplement in oil after doing a bit of research. Tbh I think I'll stay on 3000IU anyway, because previously when I've only taken the higher dose in the winter months it still hasn't been enough.
Yes I'm on ferrous fumerate 210mg taken with fruit juice, fruit or tomatoes, GP said to take at least 3 times a week.
How low was iron.
Many patients prescribed ferrous fumerate 2 or 3 per day
Check with GP
I'm sorry I can't remember, I'll check at my next appointment and ask if I need to take more. It was 120 prior to pregnancy and I think it went down to 113 at the lowest but is in between now, so not super low.
Important not to take too much or too little, so definitely check with GP
Yes I'm on ferrous fumerate 210mg taken with fruit juice, fruit or tomatoes, GP said to take at least 3 times a week.
Taking iron three times a week is barely enough to maintain the iron/ferritin level for someone whose iron is already optimal.
Just for comparison, I take ferrous fumarate 210mg four times a week to maintain my level. When I was low in iron I was taking one tablet, three times a day. I realise that you may absorb iron a lot better than me so you may need less to improve your level, but three tablets a week is not really going to improve your level this side of doomsday.
If you want to know more you could do this finger-prick test :
medichecks.com/iron-tests/i...
You can get 20% off the price during September if you use discount code MED99 when ordering :
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
If you go ahead and get results for iron and iron-related levels you could then post them in a new post and ask for feedback.
Oh that's interesting, I was only on 2 a day when I was classed anaemic in pregnancy and completely exhausted! Thank you for the links and the code
Thyroid testing
Thyroid Testing.
testing options...thyroid & vitamins
NHS Thyroid Testing 
