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[Star92]

Hi I'm new to this,and im on levothyroxine 75mg I've had lots of problems with muscle aches and pains, I've seen two endos the first one wouldn't do any blood work apart from tsh and the second one has been a bit more helpful he did tsh 2,70 ft4 21.0 ft3 3.8 tpo 15.6 can anyone tell me what this means please

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Star92

If you can add the reference ranges to your results, we will be able to interpret them. They should be in brackets by the result, eg. TSH 2.5 (0.2-4.2).

However, it's very likely that your FT4 is high in range (maybe even over range?) and your FT3 is low in range, which would suggest poor conversion of T4 to T3.

Have you had TPO antibodies tested before? If so, what were the results?

It's possible that your muscle aches and pains may be connected to low nutrient levels, which tends to frequently accompany hypothyroidism, so it would help to have the following tested:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[Star92 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi seasidesusie thanks for your reply it doesn't state it on the bottom of this letter from the hospital just states investigations then tsh ft4 ft3 tpo ranges n that's all I have had my dose increased months back and it did work for a matter of weeks but my symptoms all came straight back I could of cried because it was great.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Star92]

Star92

If any of your GP tests have been done by that same hospital's labs, then the reference ranges should be with those results, you could get a print out from your surgery's reception. Or you could ring the hospital and ask for the ranges.

Because ranges vary so much, eg for FT4 we see

7-17

9-19

12-22

and others

then you need to know if your FT4 is within range or over range.

Whichever it is, your FT3 is still far too low and it's more or less certain that your conversion is poor.

To address poor conversion, firstly you need optimal nutrient levels so those other tests are important. Also, taking a selenium supplement can help conversion. If that doesn't help and conversion is still poor, then consideration should be given to adding T3 to Levo.

[Star92 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Seasidesusie thank you so very much for your info, he uped my thyroxine few wks ago even tho I told him that the increased dose was causing alot of muscle pain I had to take 100mg twice a week 75mg the rest of the wk,after the first day of 100mg head aches pains in the back of my neck that same week I was on fine to his secretary and he's agreed to see me fingers x this time I just needed your info so they don't try to fob me of like I have been for years,I am under the hospital apparently I've got inflammatory polyarthritis which I keep questioning because when I had that good spell month back it was like I didn't have a thyroid problem never mind arthritis lol

[greygoose in reply to Star92]

That is perfectly normal. It happens all the time. It just means that you still aren't on the right dose, although it's getting better. But, without the ranges for those test results, it's not possible to tell if you need more levo, or some T3 added.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You will need FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing 6-8 weeks after this recent dose increase

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. 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)

Ask GP to test vitamin levels now - vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Unfortunately NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO are negative

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_...

Arthritis is often improved by strictly gluten free diet, as is autoimmune thyroid disease

arthritis.org/living-with-a...