Thyroid tests.

[alwaysnormal]

Hello all.

Could you please look at my results?

Aug 2nd. tsh 3.68. Ft4 12.5

Nov 27th. tsh 4.9. Ft4 11.8

Your thoughts? Currently undergoing neurological testing for symptoms which I think could be telated to thyroid issues. Swallowing problems, pins and needles, muscle twitches, pain in arms and hands. Eczema. Anxiety. Heavy periods.

Mum has thyroid issues. Gran had to have hers removed. All docs say I’m in a normal range. (Also peri menopausal apparently).

Thank you.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Alwaysnormal

We need the reference ranges for your results please, ranges differ from lab to lab so we need your lab's ranges to interpret your results.

Some of your symptoms could be low nutrient levels or deficiencies. Ask for the following to be tested and post the results when you have them:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[alwaysnormal in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks SeasideSusie, I am very new to all of this and reading through some other posts I can see the level of expertise on here is incredible!

Tsh range 0.2-5.0

Ft4 9-24.

I don’t have results for the rest you mentioned but pretty sure they’ve been done and were ‘fine’. Having bloods for autoimmune conditions next week and will ask for other results.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to alwaysnormal]

Aug 2nd.

tsh 3.68 (0.2-5.0)

Ft4 12.5 (9-24)

Nov 27th.

tsh 4.9 (0.2-5.0)

Ft4 11.8 (9-24)

Your TSH is rising and your FT4 is falling. You are hypothyroid when TSH reaches 3 in another country but here we have to wait until it reaches 10.

If your TSH goes over range, and you are symptomatic, an enlightened doctor might diagnose subclinical hypothyroidism and prescribe Levo, particularly if thyroid antibodies are present.

What tests for autoimmune conditions are being carried out? It would be very helpful to have Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin antibodies tested.

If you have thyroid tests repeated (TSH/FT4) then make sure you have the first appointment of the morning, no later than 9am, and fast overnight - have evening meal/supper the night before then water only until after the blood draw. Delay breakfast and any other drinks but water until after the test. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day, and you need the highest possible TSH for a diagnosis. Eating might lower TSH and coffee also affects it.

As for other results being "fine", that just means they are in range somewhere, but it doesn't mean they are at optimal levels, so it's important to check those.

[alwaysnormal in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you! I will definitely request all those tests and results when I see the neurologist (or doctor if necessary)

This is fantastic stuff for me and I feel much better informed already. Thanks again.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

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

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_...

As your Mum has Thyroid issues this is likely autoimmune thyroid disease

[alwaysnormal in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you slowdragon, revelatory and I will get those tests done!

[alwaysnormal in reply to SlowDragon]

My daughter is coeliac, diagnosed at 2. As I’ve never seen symptoms like hers in myself I’ve never considered being tested.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to alwaysnormal]

Probably more people with coeliac have zero gut symptoms......but obviously many are never diagnosed

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to alwaysnormal]

When someone is diagnosed as coeliac, all their direct relatives should be tested

[alwaysnormal in reply to SlowDragon]

Wow. Never heard that before. Her gran on dad’s side also coeliac and neither me nor dad ever tested.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to alwaysnormal]

Ask GP or buy coeliac test kit online

The only way to actually KNOW if you have gluten intolerance, not coeliac for certain is to try strictly gluten free diet

[Monasingh in reply to SlowDragon]

Very informative...thank you I just diagnosed with autoimmune disorder.