Hi all
Newly diagnosed with underactive thyroid. Test results below. Some help would be appreciated in reading my results. Some advice on where my levels should be too. Also came off birth control six weeks ago and wondering how much of an impact it's having on my diagnosis.
Many thanks
Hi. I can’t see any thyroid results there. Should be TSH, T4 and T3 and your antibodies if they were tested.
This was a printout I got last week off reception at my doctors. I think the doctor did tell me my levels but forgot them due to being overwhelmed with the diagnosis. I'm off to the docs again this morning so will ask then. A tsh of 33 was mentioned to me. They put me on 100mg levothyroxine.
Call your Doctor. People do not usually start on higher than 50mcg Levothyroxine dose.
Yes, your TSH is high if it is 33. BUT 100mcg is too high to start, we have to build up gradually.
Did you have any other Thyroid tests such as FT3, FT4 or T4 ? Did you have Thyroid Antibodies tested (probably not). Ask for TPO and Tg (Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin ) to be tested. Say you would like to eliminate or confirm Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis.
Could you list your symptoms? Have you ever had any tests to check your Adrenals ?
I noticed your Potassium (though in normal range) is lowish. Do you like Bananas and orange juice? Google search Potassium rich foods. I like it to be mid range. Doubt you'd get another test for a year though as it's OK.
The important thing is to get your Levothyroxine dose sorted. You could start on 50mcg then have more blood tests in 4 weeks (no longer than 6 to 8 weeks ) then have 25mcg increase to 75mcg. Then, after 2nd retest after another 4 to 8 weeks you can go up to 100mcg.
Do not start on 100mcg - it can be too much for the body and you may feel unwell in a few days.
You also need to ask GP to test for levels of Vitamin D and B12.
Hi my gp said this morning that the lab wouldn't test my t3 yet. I've not had antibodies tested either. Again the lab won't do them !! B12 I have an injection every 3 months anyway because I have an IBD aswell therefore reluctant to give me any iron supplements because of the effect they can have on my digestive system.
Tsh was 33 (0.10-4.00)
Ft4 7.5 (9.5-22.00)
I have CRP and liver tests every couple of months anyway. I do eat bananas and orange juice but maybe I could eat more !!
Symptoms I don't have many. It was my hair thinning and shedding that made me go to doctors 3 weeks ago and here I am. I'm emotionally tired but physically I feel fine. I do an active job and keep fit classes. No weight gain at all.
I came off contraception pull 6 weeks ago aswell. That has been masking my symptons potentially over the past couple of yrs
As you have Colitis or Crohn's you will have more issues with malabsorption than others. I would just keep an eye on potassium - ask GP when it will be tested next as it's bottom of the range maybe? A former GP of mine (in the old days!) Had a saying about bananas - Gold if eaten morning, silver if eaten at lunchtime, rubbish at night ! I wouldn't go that far but I have a banana every morning for my "first" breakfast. For the absorption of iron it's good to drink fresh orange juice with banana and or porridge etc. or take a Vitamin C tablet.
You do know that strenuous exercise depletes T3 don't you? I didn't till I read it on here last year. Gentle exercise such as walking (which you like) and swimming (which is too tiring - for both of us!) are ideal.
I would keep asking for the Antibodies tests. If all the GPs and the lab still refuse ask for a referal to Endocrinologist.
ps
By the way - your Ferritin result is much better than mine was !
Well I'm a postwoman so walking is in my dna !! Yeah I try not to over do it with the excersise either. I will make an effort to have a banana every morning. Thanks for the advice. My first blood test is in mid Oct. I guess till I get those results I will know better what my body is up to.
I'm due to see another doctor in a couple of weeks for something else so I'll ask them about my antibodies and potassium test.
Yes. I'm afraid we have to keep asking. Can be quite an uphill battle!
Adequate potassium is essential for good heart function.
I'm just at the start of this journey. I'm not gonna right off my Gp just yet... any advice with regards to the hair loss/thinning ? When will it stop ??
Aww . . . . That's a difficult question to answer. It takes a while for the Levothyroxine to stabilise us - but (as in my case) up and down due to chronic / intermittent infections.
I can only really tell you of my experience. I lost all the hair on my legs (which I didn't mind) but after about a year or maybe less had hairy legs again. Shaved them once to go for a swim it exhausted me so much I couldn't go!!
I have long head hair and it looks ok even though I know it's thinner. I've had flares and excessive loss but have noticed some new hair growth which is my colour and not silver!
My eyebrows were bushy so with some loss are neater now.
I think everyone is different. You may see a difference over the next 2 to 12 months.
You could post about hair loss and people's recovery experience see what others say?
ps
One more tip.
I recall a Dr Mirriam Stoppard article about hair care. She says the least we do when washing, the better. No need to massage and rub for lengthy minutes. And it's working for me.
Yeah I might do that. I've never been a very hairy person to begin with. I've still got hairs on my legs. Am doing all I can to look after the hair I've got many thanks for the advice and taking the time to reply. Glad I found this site it's been really helpful
Hi, with a tsh of 33, 100 mcg of levothyroxine is an appropriate starting point. You will need to be retested in 6 to 8 weeks. Gain as much knowledge about your condition as you can because not all doctors know how best to treat us.
I'm hoping that I have the tsh t3 and t4 results on screen they just didn't give me a printout. I thought my ferritin was low. ..hair loss is what brought me to the docs before I was tested for thyroid. I'm not having a lot of symptoms although since I started on levo my emotional state of mind has changed but that's down to the hair loss mainly. This condition is not straightforward! !
Look ar the Thyroid UK web site and learn about the condition ,tests and treatment.You need to know as many GPS do not know enough.
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, 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
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.
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 .
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_...
You will need blood test 6-8 weeks after starting on Levothyroxine
All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take Levothyroxine early morning, on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime.
verywell.com/should-i-take-...
Other medication at least 2 hours away, some like HRT, iron, calcium, vitamin D or magnesium at least four hours away from Levothyroxine
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.
Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients
Standard starter dose is 50mcgs, so you may feel a big over treated initially. If you do you may need to reduce dose for few weeks, before being able to increase
The aim of Levothyroxine is to bring TSH down to around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range
ALWAYS get printed copies of all blood test results and ranges at each test
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