I wonder if anyone can help me with these basic results, I have requested my results from the surgery and will pick them up in a few days.
I’m feeling under par again with cold feet, fatigue foggy brain etc etc and went for another blood test and have just had a call from the surgery with my results.
I am currently taking 125mg of Levothyroxine I have an got underactive thyroid which is not Hashimotos
TSH 0.84 I really expected this to be higher based on my symptoms
T4 the lab decided not to bother based on my TSH being in range 🙄
T3 is not tested
Iron 10.3
Ferritin 93
Vit B12 296
The GP said it was all in range and to continue the current dose, I had a heated exchange re not being tested for T4 and the symptoms I was experiencing. I decided to check when I put the phone down and it seems my iron do levels to appear to be low which I’m thinking could be the reason for my symptoms. I am strict vegetarian but do try and eat iron rich foods. Can anyone help me with this please
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Georginaschoey
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You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need enhanced access to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can no longer charge for printing out, rules changed after May 25th 2018
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
What supplements do you currently take?
You can have Hashimoto's despite never having raised antibodies
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, 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)
I don’t feel good, freezing feet, dry skin unmotivated etc. The GP said my iron was in range but it did look low compared to the ranges when I’ve google and so was hoping the symptoms may be down to that.
I’ve insisted that T4 must be on next blood sample and after much discussion where I’m sure I was annoying him with my insistence he did say at the next blood test If I’m not feeling well he will also ask for T3 to be included.
B12 and folate work together. Your B12 is low, if folate is also low then GP should test for Pernicious Anaemia before you start any B vitamin supplements
It's common for both B12 and folate to be low when hypothyroid
Alternatively if your GP is difficult or unhelpful you can just supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex. One with folate in not folic acid
But really should get folate tested first
Low vitamin D is extremely common hypothyroid problem. You should not supplement vitamin D without testing first
The easiest option if you can afford it is private testing
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
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, 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)
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 .
I think I will arrange a private test in the next few weeks.
I always take an iron tablet along with a B12 supplement, zinc and selenium but I didn’t take them for 2 days before the test. The folate isn’t showing in this test but has been shown on the one in July when i would have taken my normal daily doses of iron and b12
Julys results were -Iron 25.9 -TIBC 68.0 -ferritin 78 -folate 23.4 and B12 306.
The GP said my iron levels and Vitamin B12 was really good on the results he gave me yesterday on the telephone appointment 😳
Generally B12 is approx between 180-900. Anything under 500 may be too low when on Thyroid hormone replacement
Similarly many find they need folate ate high end of range
Always get printed copies of all blood test results and ranges
Don't take iron supplements for a week before testing
And stop any supplements that contain biotin 3-5 days before any blood tests
If supplementing B12 it's recommended on here to supplement vitamin B complex to keep all B vitamins balanced.
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
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