Test results

[Jakkithebudgie]

Been feeling awful for 3 years. Finally got thyroid tests. Results are TSH 1.8, T4 18.8 and T3 1.5. Endo says T3 is low but other results good. Advice is to do nothing and retest in a few months. Any thoughts/advice? Thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Can you please add the reference ranges for your results, ranges vary from lab to lab.

Also, is your T3 test for Total T3 or Free T3.

Have you had thyroid antibodies and Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin tested?

[Jakkithebudgie in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes total T3. Will post results. Had a test for Hashimotos about a year ago but negative. Sorry don’t have results. Ferritin apparently ok but don’t have any results for rest as far as I can see

[Jakkithebudgie in reply to SeasideSusie]

TSH 1.8 - range 0.27-4.2

Free t4 18.8 - range 12-22

Total T3 1.5. - range 1.3-3.1

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jakkithebudgie]

Jakkithebudgie

When on Levo only, the aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges if that is where you feel well.

TSH 1.8 - range 0.27-4.2

Free t4 18.8 - range 12-22

Total T3 1.5. - range 1.3-3.1

Your results show that your TSH could be lower and your FT4 at 68% through range has room to improve. However, Total T3 is not a useful test. Total T3 measures the total amount of T3 - bound to proteins and unbound (free). It's the Free T3 that's available to enter the cells, and that's the hormone that every cell in our bodies need.

Even though normally a Total T3 test isn't helpful, with yours being so low it's very unlikely that you'll have a decent amout of Free T3.

The reason your T3 is low - and you really do need to test Free T3 with TSH and FT4 - is that you're not converting T4 to T3 well enough. Reasons for this can be poor nutrient levels so this is the reason we need Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin tested.

Also, one reason for nutrients being low or deficient can be autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) and that is the reason we need Thyroid antibodies tested.

So before you do anything else, you need the full panel of tests

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

You probably can't get them all done with your GP but you can do what many of us here do and that is a private test which will cover all of them:

Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT medichecks.com/thyroid-func... You can use code TUK20 for 20% discount until the end of May, thereafter use code THYROIDUK for a 10% discount on any test not on special offer.

or

Blue Horizon Thyroid Check PLUS ELEVEN bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

Both tests include the full thyroid and vitamin panel. They are basically the same test but with the following small differences:

For the fingerprick test, Blue Horizon requires 1 x microtainer of blood (0.8ml), Medichecks requires 2 x microtainers (total 1.6ml)

Blue Horizon includes Total T4 (can be useful but not essential). Medichecks doesn't include this test.

B12 - Blue Horizon does Serum B12. Medichecks does Active B12.

Serum B12 shows the total B12 in the blood. Active B12 shows what's available to be taken up by the cells. You can have a reasonable level of Serum B12 but a poor level of Active B12. (Personally, I would go for the Active B12 test.)

Post results and reference ranges when you have them and we will be able to help.

[Jakkithebudgie in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for your response. Getting/taking blood has been a real issue over the last few months which is why I have stayed clear of other tests. Went privately recently and they had a real struggle trying to take bloods

[Jakkithebudgie]

I went private for this one as gp refused to refer me to Endo on nhs and saw no reason to do full thyroid bloods as he said TSH was ok. At my wits end and still no further forward

[Jakkithebudgie]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Letter states t4 is very good and TSH is nice and normal. Very unclear

[Jakkithebudgie]

Quote “t3 is towards the bottom range”

[MissGrace in reply to Jakkithebudgie]

It says everything that the endo got a test for TT3 instead of FT3. If he knew about the thyroid he would know FT3 is the crucial measure. He’s not going to be much help I’m afraid. 🤸🏿‍♀️🥛