past results

[MARZY1969]

these are my past results waiting on the new ones which take about a week, the doctors don't check everything which is annoying, I cant see any vitamin results and I had to plead with the Doc to get T3 done, although it doesn't say Free T3 it's total T3, I will post new ones when results come through, TIA for any response to these results

[MaisieGray]

The most recent FT4 result is nearly two years ago, and things can change greatly in that time, so it's not likely to be of much benefit members commenting until you have your latest test results. The total T3 tells you only the amount of T3, bound and unbound, that is in your blood, but does not tell you how much is free/unbound from its protein carrier and therefore available to the cells.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

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

Medichecks currently have an offer on until end of May - 20% off

thyroiduk.org.uk/index.html

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 .

[MARZY1969 in reply to SlowDragon]

thankyou for advice, I have just recently joined this group, doctors have never advised that I do a fasting blood test so yesterday was my first fasting blood test. I have had my eyes opened on this site, lots of great advice, I am learning the Doc said she was testing my bloods for thyroid again but with no detail. next time I need them checked I will ask for more detail or get them done private. Antibodies were high when I was first diagnosed but nothing has been mention since, as long as TSH levels are normal I don't think they care about anything else, thanks again

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to MARZY1969]

So if you originally had high antibodies, this confirms cause of your hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

Hashimoto's frequently affects your gut function, leading to low stomach acid and poor vitamin levels

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Do you always make sure you get same brand of Levothyroxine at each prescription?

Next step is to get full Thyroid and vitamin testing of anything not tested by GP. Likely you only had TSH tested

If vitamins are low when tested, this confirms poor gut function. Then look at possible hidden food intolerances, especially gluten

Getting vitamins optimal can significantly improve symptoms

[MARZY1969 in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you, I will look into getting all this done, I guess, this was a shock to me when I was diagnosed and always thought doctors knew best and were giving me the correct medication for my thyroid problem, I was border line to begin with but because of my terrible symptoms they put me on levothyroxine, started on 50mcg, then 75mcg and currently 100mcg, I will keep an eye on the brand, I think it is the same but will check from now on, all this advice is much appreciated.