I'm new here - Just had blood test and would love some advice regarding my TSH levels

[DeeBird]

Hello all,

So I've suspected having an underactive thyroid since I was around 15/16, but I never really did anything about it because of anxiety around going to doctors etc. Anyhow, fast forward a few years later and I'm really struggiling at the moment both mental health and physical health wise. I began looking into underactive thyroid again and I have all the symptons - so I told my doctor and had a blood test.

My doctor called me with the blood test results saying everything was normal, I was feeling pretty down because I really wanted to just have some clear answers to why I had been feeling this way for so long now.

After doing some reasearch online however, and accsessing my blood test results myself, I realise I may have it after all despite what the doctor said. My TSH level is recorded as 4.92...which on many websites is considered underactive thyroid being over 4. The lab that tested my blood has a maximum range of 5.

I'd love some advice for going forward - should I book another doctors appointment and discuss this? Should I get my blood tested somewhere else? Any other tips for next steps?

Thanks in advance

[Mary-intussuception]

Yes, book another GP appointment - with a different GP if possible. Yes, your TSH is high - but you need more blood tests.

Write a list of all your symptoms to show GP and say something like - ' given that you have so many symptoms of Hypothyroidism I would like to eliminate Autoimmune Thyroiditis ' and ask for these tests;

TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies )

Tg ( Thyroglobulin )

Free T3

Free T4

If refused then ask for a referal to an Endocrinologist because of your symptoms. You could mention that you understand the therapeutic level of TSH for someone with Hypothyroidism is much lower than the top of 'normal' range.

You could also ask for an Ultrasound scan of your Thyroid.

Ask GP to tests some nutrients levels also because you may have deficiencies that need prescribed supplements (especially VitD) :

Vitamin D

B12

Folate

and Ferritin.

[DeeBird in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thanks so much for this detailed reply! I will book in for an appointment and ask for more tests.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to DeeBird]

You may have

Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis (named after the Japanese doctor who discovered it).

Hashimoto's is the most common cause of Hypothyroidism / Underactive Thyroid.

With Hashimoto's, the regular Thyroid Function blood tests results can fluctuate - and fall just within 'normal ' range - so not always reliable on their own. However your GP only tested one ! They usually do at least TSH and T4 .

The Thyroid Antibodies blood tests and an Ultrasound scan can show if you have Autoimmune Thyroiditis.

x🐥

[DeeBird in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thanks for the info. I have looked at Hashimotos before so that is interesting. Another thing I found interesting is I had another look at my blood tests and with the general results it says I have high white blood cell count. Not majorly over the range but slightly. Could that back up anything to do with underactive thyroid to your knowlege?

[Mary-intussuception in reply to DeeBird]

As far as I know, raised white blood cells mean that there is an infection.