THYROID test results

[Pell1964]

Just got tsh results after 6 months from last test results were 0.08 they came back today 4.28 why? Dr wants to retest in 4 weeks is fasting a requirement for testing tsh

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you on any thyroid hormones?

Or is this for diagnosis?

Autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) can cause changes in TSH

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. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose 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 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

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 .

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But don't tell the doctors!

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The point is, how do you feel? 4.28 is high for most people with hypothyroidism to feel well. Was your thyroxine reduced as a result of the low level 5 months before? If on thyroxine, what was the dosage before and after? Doctors seem to panic if TSH gets too low, they are told (though there seems to be no definite evidence of it) that this causes heart and bone problems. But so do low thyroid levels!

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Just realised you are new here. Welcome!

[1239]

My son saw female doc at GEH and she said all blood tests (not just thyroid) should ideally be done fasting and first thing in a morning. Bet they love her at blood taking departments!

[Hidden in reply to 1239]

Good for her!

[1239]

Yep. We'll never get to see her again!