Would appreciate some information if I need to start medication. Am not keen to do so as I am asymptomatic at this time.
GP said I have subclinical Hypothyroidism.
December ‘16 blood results - My serum free T4 level was 10.7pmol/l
My TSH Level 5.7mU/l
September ‘18 blood results My free T4 was 10.6 pmol/l
My TSH was 6.12mU/l
December ‘18 T4 10.5
TSH 5.7MU/L
Can blood tests change ??? Can diet have influence on fluctuation of bloods results.
Thank you
Bluedress
You haven't given the reference ranges for your results, as they vary from lab to lab we need them to interpret your results. Your TSH is obviously high, but we can't interpret FT4 result.
There is a circadian rhythm to TSH and FT4/FT3, so depending on the time of day the result will be different.
TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day and TSH may be lowered by eating so we always advise blood draw no later than 9am and delay breakfast until afterwards, TSH is also affected by coffee so we advise avoiding caffeine containing drinks before the test, and drink only water until afterwards.
If you are in the UK, most doctors wont treat until TSH reaches 10, some doctors will treat subclinical hypothryoidism if thyroid antibodies are raised.
SeasideSusie,
Thank you.
Tsh range is 0.27 - 4.20
And free T4 is 10.50- 24-50
Is there anything I can do to avoid medication. Any alternative treatments eg diets !!!
So your TSH has remained roughly similar in all 3 tests - over range, and the slight difference in the result may be because the time of the test wasn't the same, or maybe you'd eaten before the tests with the two lower numbers.
Your FT4 is right at the bottom of the range.
Many members here would be envious of your doctor because he's recognised subclinical hypothyroidism and it seems as though Levo has been offered. Most have to wait until TSH is over 10.
There is no alternative treatment, no thyroid support supplement (do stay away from those!) and no diet that will help a failing thyroid.
What you could do is ask your doctor to test thyroid antibodies - Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and Thyroglobulin (Tg). These are the antibodies that cause autoimmune thyroid disease, aka Hashimoto's, where the thyroid is attacked and gradually destroyed. If your antibodies are raised, then some people find that adopting a strict gluten free diet can help reduce antibodies, although it's not guaranteed. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.
I would discuss with your doctor about delaying the start of Levo for now, if that's what you prefer. You may find you become more symptomatic and you can always go back and ask for Levo to be prescribed.
But do bear in mind that Levo is not a medication as such, it is a thyroid hormone replacement that is necessary when your body can't produce it's own thyroid hormone (like diabetics who need insulin). If your thyroid fails, then at some point you will need to replace the hormone it can no longer produce.
My thyroid antibodies were 5 at December check.
I think I will consider Levo.now .
Are there any side effects to Levo??
Thank u
I've been taking Levo for over 43 years and I've never had any side effects from it.
Any one could react to any brand, if they are sensitive to the fillers. Different brands have different fillers so if you did have a reaction then you'd let your GP or pharmacist know and ask for a different brand.
It's best to stick to the same brand all the time when you know you do well on it. Check the pharmacy bag before you leave the shop, if it's a different brand and you don't want it just hand it back, ask for your preferred brand, if they can't get it then ask for your prescription back and ring round other pharmacies to see who can dispense the brand you require.
There is one brand that many members have reacted to and that is TEVA, there's no saying you will.
As you are asymptomatic and blood test results borderline I would hold off treatment. It would help to have your fT3 tested next time although the GP will need to state quite clearly that the lab must do it. The 'ranges' given are not healthy ranges but reference intervals, an interval where 95% of the healthy population lies. Thus, 5% of perfectly healthy people will have results outside the interval. It may be that you are one of these 5%. Why was a thyroid function test done? Presumably there was something that made the doctor think it should be run.
The only exception to the above is if you are female and are planning a pregnancy then I would suggest taking sufficient levothyroxine to bring your TSH down below 2.5. Otherwise I'd do nothing for now.
My results came up on my annual blood tests about 3 years ago.
I had not attended GP with any particular symptoms just for above.
Thank you. Delighted with responses and so helpful.
Suggest you test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
These are often too low if hypothyroid
Improving vitamins can help
High Cholesterol levels also suggest hypothyroid, so something else to test first before considering starting Levothyroxine
got my blood results for the last 5 years
latest blood results
Seeing Endo tomorrow, need advice following results
Advice need re T3 before hospital appointment 
really need some advice 
