Confused about Thyroid Testing

[Leenie0811]

Hi everyone

Could someone help me out I’ve been in a bit of a battle with my local gp regarding my thyroid levels. It started about 18months ago when I went in with really low energy levels, fuzzy head and all over body pain. They took some bloods and found I had really low iron levels below were my results:

Normal range 17 - 291

Mine was at 12

They put me on iron tablets but tested my thyroid too and they said it was borderline underactive. At the time I didn’t have access to my medical records but now my doctors have caught up with the times I’ve been able to have a look and see but I’m a bit confused.

The iron tablets have helped some of the symptoms - I no longer feel like my eyes are half way down my face in exhaustion but the brain fog and body pain etc are all still there!

Would someone please have a look at them and give me some advice on what to do next, also it seems like they pick and choose which tests they have done throughout the time I’ve been having these symptoms.

TSH Levels - range 0.30 - 4.50

August 2016 - 6.85

October 2016 - 6.64

March 2017 - 3.31

May 2017 - 4.40

March 2018 - 3.16

FT4 Results - range - 11.0 - 22.0

August 2016 - 13.1

October 2016 - 14.2

There have been no T3 or thyroid antibodies in my tests, can someone please help a girl out!!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

ask GP to test thyroid antibodies and vitamin D, folate and B12

You already have low iron/ferritin

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

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, not to be mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

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_...

Come back with new post once you have results and ranges

[Leenie0811 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for all the information, I have ordered myself a thyroid check plus from the medicheck website. I’m looking forward to completing the test and getting the results.

I’ve recently started a transition to a plant based diet and from my research I think I need to start upping vitamins B and D so I’ll get them ordered right away. So far I’ve been two months meat free but I already didn’t eat a lot of dairy, this could be contributing couldnt it?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Leenie0811]

Most thyroid people benefit from high protein in meat. B12 from meat and fish essential too, you will need to test before supplementing

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Gluten is most common intolerance if you have Hashimoto's

Followed by dairy

[Leenie0811 in reply to SlowDragon]

My new results have been posted @slowdragon I’m quite surprised by the numbers, I’d appreciate your advice on what to do next Thanks

Leenie x