Is tsh 2.9 ok?

[Clare184]

Hi I had my thyroid function checked 3 years ago and was told it was fine - tsh 2.9 range 0.3-5.5 is this really ok and if so is it likely to have changed since I've started b12 injections 2 years ago?

I had a lot of symptoms of hypothyroidism but after a year of tests and supplements was put onto b12 injections due to absorption issues, interestingly I was.initially told.my b12 was fine at 178 which I later found out is not ok at all. My B12 injections make a huge difference I have them 8 weekly and can tell a week or two before I'm due but it still feels like I'm not back to my old self and something is still not right.

I particularly find the tiredness still an issue and have slowly been gaining weight for the last couple of years no matter how well I eat or exercise.

Anyway just wondering what to make of the thyroid test or if it is worth having it rechecked, I do worry about rocking the boat with my gp in case b12 injections are stopped as I would hate to go back to how I used to feel.

Any help much appreciated!

[Jodypody]

Absolutely have another test. If you can afford a medichecks test that can test T3 too the better still

[Clare184 in reply to Jodypody]

Thanks I might have a look at that, private test would mean I can avoid going to the doctors initially too

[tinkerbell22 in reply to Clare184]

I agree with Jodypody, also your situation reminds me of myself years ago... I have had my thyroid TSH tested at relatively regular points in my life due to times of increased fatigue. I had a steady worsening of fatigue across my life (I'm in my early 40s now). Every time it got a stage worse I'd go back to the doctor and ask for a thyroid check. My mum has hypothyroidism so I recognised the signs. Each time my TSH came back within range so I was shown the door and often told to take antidepressants as it was apparently all in my head... Eventually 2 years ago my TSH slipped slightly out of range. Finally l found a GP who took this seriously (although that was a battle too!). Now the important bit, the GP looked back at my TSH History!! What a novel idea lol!! He printed it out for me and it showed how my TSH went from 2.8 in my first test when I was a teenager (with clear hypothyroid symptoms) up to 7 (about 25 years later). I'd had about 6 TSH tests over the years. It showed a very steady progression of my thyroid disease across my life.

So I would say it is VERY important to have tests done. If I hadn't pushed for a thyroid test every time I'd felt this fatigue worsen then no one would have joined the dots, finally.

So yes a TSH of 2.9 like you have looks, off the cuff, completely normal to a doctor, if they've got nothing to compare it to then they'll definitely believe it to be fine. And yes it can change over time.

But yes, TSH is not the whole story. Blue Horizon do brilliant tests of your full thyroid panel (T3, T4 and antibodies) and vitamins (ferritin, b12, folate and vitamin D all being connected to thyroid health and feeling well).

Hope this helps in some way and you get some clarity. Don't let the doctors allow you to keep feeling unwell, it's a waste of your life xx

[Clare184]

Thanks, no family history of autoimmune or thyroid issues that I know of, grandad has diabetes (type 2) no idea on my dads side of the family though.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

GP likely to have only tested TSH or TSH and FT4

Absolutely essential to test vitamin D, folate and ferritin as well as BOTH TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and FT3

If you already have low B12, gut function is poor so other vitamins also very likely to be low

Very common with undiagnosed thyroid issues to have low vitamin levels, especially if you have high thyroid antibodies

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

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. 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

£99 or £79 when on offer

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 .

Are you taking any other vitamin supplements apart from B12 injections?

[Clare184 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks slowdragon thats really helpful. I had full bloods done before starting my b12 injections ferritin and folate both a bit low I think:

Serum ferritin 29ug/l

Serum folate 3.5

Since starting b12 injections 2 years ago I also take folic acid daily and take magnesium in the run up to periods to try and reduce pms and avoid migraine

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Clare184]

Do you have the ranges on these?

Ferritin definitely looks too low. Needs to be retested to see if improved

Folate. Also looks low

Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be more beneficial than just folic acid

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast

Recommended brands on here are Igennus Super B complex. (Often only need one tablet per day, not two). Or Jarrow B-right

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

[Coastwalker]

I have Sally Pacholoks book by ‘Could it Be B12, an Epidemic of Misdiagnosis’ it has quite a few pages on Developmental disabilities/ learning disabilities and a B12 link that you might find interesting. Mentions trials done too. Autism B12 Connection is another title. A book all should read including doctors.

[jgelliss]

Strength and Sympathy and my Prayers for you . I was going to Dr's for all the Hypo symptoms one can think of . *Only* to be told that my BW was perfect . Please do Not sit by and take it . I ended up having to pay a high price to have TT for their negligence . This was going on for over 15 years with my experiencing my Hypo Symptoms .

Wishing you *Fast* and *Satisfactory* Resolutions .

[Clare184]

Thanks everyone think I'll definitely ask for a new blood test and go from there, sometimes you just start to feel like a hypochondriac so its reassuring to hear others say I should have further tests done.