Test results

[Angie2020]

Can somebody tell me if this result at the bottom is normal? It's the only one I have and was taken in April but I have had more blood test recently and need to ask for those results. I have a lot of symptoms for underactive thyroid

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Angie2020

It's normal insofar as it's within the reference range.

However, TSH on it's own isn't the full picture. You need FT4 and FT3 (if possible) as well plus thyroid antibodies.

Primary hypothyroidism is diagnosed by over range TSH (usually over 10) with low FT4.

But if FT4 is low/below range with TSH low, normal or minimally elevated, then that can be Central Hypothyroidism where the problem lies with the pituitary (Secondary Hypothyroidism) or the hypothalamus (Tertiary Hypothyroidism) rather than the thyroid.

So if you have symptoms then it's essential to test TSH, FT4 and FT3( if possible) all together.

Also important is to test vitamins and minerals, as deficiencies can bring their own symptoms which can overlap with hypothyroid symptoms, so

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[Angie2020 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. I know my B12 was ok but my ferritin level was low but not tested for others. Can I just ask for them at the doctors. I'm there nearly every week because I feel so ill. They'll probably strike me off the list under hypochondriac. One doctor said I was healthy and should exercise more even though I was trying to exercise but couldn't because I was so weak. Since then I've been diagnosed with anemia, kidney failure,fibroid, gallstones, gerd, a shadow around my heart,asthma and now more symptoms of thyroid problems

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Angie2020]

Yes, you can ask your GP to do them.

What was yor B12 result? If you don't know then ask for it (get the unit of measurement too). They'll say it's OK just because it's somewhere within range, but for us Hypos it needs to be at the top of the range. Folate and B12 work together so they really should be done together in my opinion (which doesn't count for anything ). Some wont do Vit D but you can do that yourself if necessary with a private fingerprick blood spot test with City Assays vitamindtest.org.uk/

Have you been prescribed ferrous fumarate for the anaemia? If so, are you taking each iron tablet with 1000mg Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation? Also, iron tablets should be taken 2 hours away from any other any other supplements and medication, and 4 hours away from Levo.

[Angie2020 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I was prescribed ferrous sulfate for low hgb which went down to 8 but when my hgb levels went up to about 13 and were normal they told me to stop taking them even though my ferritin levels were still low. Don't understand it

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Angie2020]

Angie

So they're just going by the result being somewhere within the range, reach the range and do away with the prescription! They obviously don't understand that we need to be at an optimal level or reach a decent level then do something to maintain it.

What are your current levels for iron, ferritin, MCV, MCHC, etc?

[Angie2020 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I have absolutely no idea and I don't even know what the last two are. I'm going to have to request my lab tests over the last year to get every result. I suppose I put my faith in doctors too much but I've lost that now as I've been under investigation since October 2017 and im feeling more ill as the months pass

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Angie2020]

MCV, MCHC are part of a full blood count, these will help indicate iron deficiency anaemia.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Angie2020]

Your MCV etc are probably just above the bit of the photo you posted. Mean Cell Volume and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration

[Angie2020]

When I asked a specialist nurse who was assessing me for an op she said if your tsh level is normal then there is no need for the other tests. Can't believe I was hearing this from someone who's in healthcare. So disheartening