Should I get my bloods re taken

[Chloecaff]

I’ve only had my bloods re taken once since starting medication

My tsh results came back fine (that was all that was re tested) and that’s was that

When I was diagnosed my folic acid was low,

In the past few weeks I’ve had spells of more tension headaches and more recently feeling slightly dizzy (yesterday I was just sat in the car on my phone) and still not sleeping well

This most likely is due to working shifts I’m assuming, I could also need to go for an eye test.

Just thought I’d see what you guys thought too

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking

Just testing TSH 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 and need correcting to optimal levels

Ask GP for full Thyroid and vitamin testing

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)

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_...

Dose is increased slowly in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

NICE guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

[Chloecaff in reply to SlowDragon]

I take 50 micro grams

My tsh was 8.04 in May and when re tested in July was 0.33

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Chloecaff]

Low vitamins can artificially lower TSH

How do you feel? If still feel unwell then ask for vitamin and both thyroid antibodies tested by GP

[Chloecaff in reply to SlowDragon]

I don’t feel as tired, it’s mainly the headaches and the recent dizzy spells I’ve been worrying about

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Chloecaff]

Low B12 is common

Suggest you get all four vitamins tested

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Chloecaff]

Push GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies

Otherwise you will have to test privately

50mcg Levothyroxine is only a starter dose

Dose should be increased slowly in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

NICE guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...