TSH READING

[lorrainewilson64]

Hi I have just had my routine blood test and my TSH level is 1.53 my/L ( 0.27 - 4.20 ) is this level ok .I currently take 75 Levo every day .Stopped T3 ages ago as I couldn't get any more , even thought I felt good on it . Would love some advice . Thank you.

[Marz]

What advice ? You have not mentioned your dose of T4 - are you still on T3 ? Other results would be useful - FT4 and FT3 ... Symptoms ?

[lorrainewilson64 in reply to Marz]

Thank you I have added more detail on my notes it just says my serum TSH level

[Marz in reply to lorrainewilson64]

Sorry - which notes ?

[lorrainewilson64 in reply to Marz]

A print out of my blood test

[Marz in reply to lorrainewilson64]

Oh where have you posted the print out ?

[greygoose]

It is a little high for someone on thyroid hormone replacement, and probably means that you need an increase in dose. But, what you really need is FT4 and FT3 results. Your doctor should not be dosing by the TSH!

[lorrainewilson64 in reply to greygoose]

I usually get FT4 result but it's not on the blood results print out just TSH level .Thank you for your reply .

[greygoose in reply to lorrainewilson64]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

TSH should be between 0.4 and 1.5 to be adequately treated and FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

New NHS England Liothyronine guidelines November 2018 clearly state on pages 8 & 12 that TSH should be under 1.5

sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploa...

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

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)

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

Ask your GP for 25mcg dose increase, bloods retested in 6-8 weeks and vitamin testing as you are likely under medicated

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...

[lorrainewilson64 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your reply..I did stop my Levo 24 hours before and blood test was early morning . Reply I had back about my blood test from the doctors was that all is ok and no changes to medication.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to lorrainewilson64]

First you are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Second

Just testing TSH or TSH and FT4 is completely inadequate

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 Or if under medicated

Vitamin levels often crash right down when T3 is stopped. TSH drops when vitamins are low, so is an unreliable test

TSH should be between 0.4 -1.5 maximum on just Levothyroxine to be adequately treated

75mcg is a low dose of Levothyroxine

Would suspect FT3 and vitamin levels are low

Do you have Hashimoto's?

If so are you on strictly gluten free diet? Or tried it?

Strongly recommend you get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing

Either ask GP to test vitamins and antibodies.

GP can't test FT3, but essential to test, will need to test TSH, FT3 and FT4 privately £59

Or test whole lot privately, often on offer at £75 or £79. Usual price £99