Thyroid blood tests

[Lanvere]

A friend of mine had throat cancer for which radiation was the chosen treatment path ... she’s been experiencing hypothyroid symptoms for some time and her GP ran some tests ... no treatment has been offered should she ask to be referred the blood results are

Free T4 12.2 range 9-24

Free T3 4.2 range 3-5.65

TSH 10.9 range 0.35 - 5

Any thoughts would be most appreciated

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Lanvere

Her TSH is over 10, protocol states that TSH over 10 is hypothyroid and Levothyroxine should be prescribed.

Her GP may want to repeat the test, usually a couple of months after the first one, and if that comes back over 10 too then definitely treatment should start.

Tell your friend that when booking thyroid tests, always book the very first appointment of the morning and fast overnight (water allowed) . This gives the highest possible TSH which is needed when looking for a diagnosis, an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction. TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. It can also lower after eating and coffee also affects TSH. Also, take your Levo after the blood draw because if you take it before then your FT4 will reflect this and show higher than what is normally circulating. We usually advise 24 hours between last dose of Levo and blood draw so if you take your Levo in the morning then delay until after the test, or if you take it at night then delay that dose until after the test. These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.

[Lanvere in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you very much this is most helpful I will pass all this on to her

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If she had RAI treatment she should automatically have started on Levothyroxine

Get her to see a different GP ASAP

Extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 too

[Lanvere in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you very much for advice I will pass on to my friend x