17yr old blood tests

[NWA6]

NatChap hey hun and everyone else. Got daughters results today.

TSH - 1.3 (0.35 - 5)

FT3 - 3.6 (3.5-6.5)

VD - 56 no range but doc said it’s low

B12 - 947 (upper range 900)

I argued my case at the time of appointment to get FT3 done and GP put in for it but said it would be doubtful that the lab would do it unless TSH was out of range. But now they’ve done it but haven’t done FT4 😩 I’ve just finished talking with Dr and again argued that we need all tests done to get a full picture. She’s phoned the lab to ask why it wasn’t done. I’ve now had a text through to say book a blood test. Luckily we’ve got one for 5.30 today. I’m just about to phone again to say I want her tested for antibodies. I’m being as pushy as I can given my family history (mother, grandmother, sister).

We are also advised to book another blood test for 2mths time.

2mths is a long time for my poor daughter given that she is miserable, failing A levels and at one point suicidal. She’s been on high dose Vit D for 3wks and B12 supplement (which we’ll stop now) she takes large doses of Vit C because she’s always ill with coughs/colds/throat infections (tonsils out at 13yrs)

Is it too early to invest in a private Endo? Any suggestions so far?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

She should really have Thyroid tested as early in morning as possible and fasting to give highest TSH

Clearly she needs both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested - this isn't time of day dependent

Folate and ferritin need testing too

As you are DIO2.....consider testing this eventually

[NWA6 in reply to SlowDragon]

Today’s test will only be for FT4 and antibodies if I can persuade. I don’t think it matters as much with FT4 as it’s a more stable hormone.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to NWA6]

Ferritin and iron often low in teenage girls ....especially if has heavy periods

Folate needs testing

Can you persuade GP to test these

[NWA6 in reply to SlowDragon]

I need to chase that up because i did ask for it ATT but we got bogged down in talking about the fact that FT4 really needs doing in order to get the full picture. Just got the call from Receptionist, Dr is giving the go ahead for antibodies!! 🥳🥳🥳 I feel like we might be being believed.

I mustn’t forget that I’ve had 5yrs of full blood tests from this surgery which was a fabulous history in order for me to get T3. It’s just that the GPs didn’t know what to do with the info and were following guidelines.

[humanbean in reply to SlowDragon]

Ferritin needs to be tested fasting and in the early morning too.

See this link :

nhs.uk/common-health-questi...

Ferritin is an iron-related test and so fasting is necessary.

[NWA6 in reply to humanbean]

Thanks humanbean. Still don’t know if that was tested at all yet. If it was then the results will be skewed as the first round of blood tests were at 10.30am and she probably had breakfast. But I’ll push for that with the next phonecall.

[HughH]

FT3 - 3.6 (0.35 - 5)

Is the range for the free T3 correct? It looks like the TSH range.

[NWA6 in reply to HughH]

Doh! Yes, wrong range, I’ll edit. Thank you 🤗

[HughH in reply to NWA6]

T3 is the active thyroid hormone which controls the metabolism and therefore the symptoms. The Free T3 test is therefore the most accurate way to diagnose hypothyroidism. Your daughter's Free T3 is right at the bottom of the normal range so it is not surprising that she is unwell. I would hope that an Endo would recognise that your daughter has a thyroid condition.

[NWA6 in reply to HughH]

You’d think wouldn’t you HughH? Unfortunately it took me 10yrs to get T3 despite having 6 full thyriod results which also shows that my FT3 was always around 3.5 (3.5-6.5) and once recorded at 2.5. Even with a diagnosis of Hashimotos (runs in my family) I still feel like we’ll have a fight on our hands to get her treated.

I’m just waiting for FT4 and antibody tests to see if it’s Hashimotos and/or secondary.

[HughH in reply to NWA6]

People who get Hashimoto's have a slightly higher likelihood of having family members who have thyroid disease or other autoimmune diseases, suggesting a genetic component. No direct genetic link has however been found and this would not explain the very high incidence in your family. Your family seem to have a dominant genetic disorder which requires only one parent to pass it down.

There is a thyroid genetic condition: Impaired Sensitivity to Thyroid Hormone (more often known as Thyroid Hormone Resistance). It causes hypothyroid symptoms and requires very high T3 levels (often above the top of the normal range) in the body to overcome the resistance.

It is a dominant genetic condition and explains your family history of thyroid problems. I think that I may have previously sent you info on this.

[NWA6 in reply to HughH]

Ah yes HughH you did indeed. I actually downloaded the book you suggested but I haven’t read it yet. I will now because as you suggest it does indeed seem to being passed down. As I said before, myself, mum and her mum all Hashi’s and my sister with Graves.