SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to nikkimaa

You look under medicated

Just testing TSH and FT4 is completely inadequate

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

Low vitamin levels are EXTREMELY common

Low vitamin D often results in low calcium levels

Ask GP to test thyroid antibodies and vitamins

Low vitamins affect conversion of FT4 to FT3. Your FT4 is near top of range. But TSH remains high. Suspect low vitamins are a problem

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

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_...

Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine

(Many of us need TSH nearer 0.2 than 2.0 to feel well)

See box

Thyroxine replacement in primary hypothyroidism

pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...

silverfox7 in reply to nikkimaa

Little on the low side but unfortunately the 'experts' aren't telling the labs we really need to know what the FT3 reading is as well. If your FT4 was higher you could be thinking great but then thinking you don't feel great!!! So that would suggest that your FT3 reading was low but you can't be sure without paying for private testing. In that scenario you would be struggling to convert your T4 to T3. The other danger presenting a highly FT4 plus a low TSH which again could be a conversion issue then your doctor may wish to lower your medication so your already suspected low T3 will getceven lower.