Latest blood results

[Denise29w]

I've just got a copy of my latest blood test. There doesn't seem to be much info on thyroid unless I'm not reading it correctly. Can anyone help.

[Hay2016]

Only your serum TSH level was done by the looks of it.

[Denise29w in reply to Hay2016]

I think that's how my bloods have always been done!

[greygoose]

Are you taking statins?

[Denise29w in reply to greygoose]

No should I be?

[greygoose in reply to Denise29w]

No, not at all. I was just wondering because I didn't understand your cholesterol results. No ranges. High cholesterol would be a symptom of hypo.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

Recommended on here that 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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all 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

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges

[Denise29w in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. I've only ever had gp tests since being discharged from the hospital and just took the tablets they prescribe. Maybe as my tests are so basic that's why I'm constantly feeling so dreadful and struggling with everything. I've made an appt for a blood test and have told my gp what I need testing (not sure if it'll happen from the responses I've read - but I'm giving it a go and will report back in a few weeks when it's done. Thanks again to everyone for their help and support

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Denise29w]

There are almost 100,000 members on here

Current thyroid treatment is often very inadequate

There are just under 2 million people in UK on Levothyroxine. But Royal College of Physicians own admission, at least 10% of patients struggle to return to full health on Levothyroxine

Patients find improving vitamins by supplementing can help significantly. Essential to test levels FIRST

High cholesterol is linked to being hypothyroid

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Denise29w]

Presumably as you had RAI, you had Graves Disease?

Elaine Moore a Graves patient has a comprehensive website

elaine-moore.com

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms. Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

Getting vitamins regularly tested and supplementing to improve

Come back with new post once you have results and ranges

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.

Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor

 please email Dionne at

[e-mail]

Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many, note especially his comments on current inadequate treatment following thyroidectomy or RAI

rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

BTA statement on getting T3 prescribed

british-thyroid-association...

[Denise29w in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I did have grave s but only found out when I saw it on my gp computer. No-one ever told me!!! Funnily enough I've had stomach problems for years and have only recently seen a dietician who recommended gluten free- totally unrelated to thyroid . My symptoms have improved slightly but that's my fault as I haven't stuck to it properly yet.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Denise29w]

Needs to be absolutely strictly gluten free to be effective

It gets easier as you get use to it

Lots of GF options available these days

Watch out for cross contamination eg shared butter, jam etc. Separate toaster for GF bread etc

[Denise29w in reply to SlowDragon]

Wow I didn't realise it was that important unless you had an allergy

[shaws Administrator]

If you can afford a Private Test (there are recommended labs that do home finger pin-prick tests). If you decide to do so make sure you are well-hydrated a couple of days before blood draw. Always at the very earliest possible, is recommended as TSH is highest then and drops throughout the day. This could mean the difference between being diagnosed or not.

Recommended test : TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

It will be worth it if you have any of the clinical symptoms below. If antibodies are present you'd have the commonest form of hypothyroidism also known as Hashimoto's.

Even if your TSH is above the normal range (i.e. 10 in the UK - 3+ in other countries) you should be prescribed.

Labs are:-

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Tick off your symptoms and you will probably have more than a couple.

[Angel_of_the_North]

There's only TSH which isn't much use and no B12, ferritin or folate or vit D. I would be aware that HbA1c is right at the top of the range, meaning that you might be on the way to pre-diabetes. I've heard it said that women should aim for an HbA1c <=32