I have seen an Endocrinologist recently and he took some blood tests. He has written to my G.P. with the results and copied me in unfortunately there are no reference ranges included!
The results are as follows TSH 0.42 I do know the ref. ranges for this which are 0.2-4.0
FT4 19.5 pmol/L, TT3 1.5 nmol/L, TPO antibodies <28 in/ml. This was in March this year.
Last week I had a blood test at the G.P’s results are as follows TSH 0.19 (0.2-4.0). They will only test for TSH.
I wondered if anyone could throw some light on the hospital results please? I am ringing the G.P. tomorrow to discuss.
Thanks in advance.
Written by
greenfingers
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I'm afraid you haven't had any meaningful tests at all. TSH on its own tells you nothing much. Yours is ok, but it's only a very small part of the story. An FT4 of 19.5 is probably at the top of the range, but that just tells us that you're on a decent dose of T4 (levo). What neither of those results tells us is whether you can convert that T4 into T3. For that you need an FT3 test. A TT3 test doesn't tell you anything useful, either. So, the upshot is, nobody has any real idea of your thyroid status. However, that won't stop them telling you you're on the right dose, I'm afraid - or even that your dose is too high - because they just have no idea how it all works.
The most important question is: how do you feel? If you feel good, then you're on the right dose. If you still have a lot of hypo symptoms, then you probably don't convert very well. But they're unlikely to ask you that question.
Thanks for replying greygoose, I don’t feel too good but then I never do. I have lost a bit of weight, can’t sleep for very long although feel tired. I have a constant itch which turned into Eczema just about all over my body practically overnight. I am waiting for patch tests to see if I have an allergy. I have a feeling it’s all to do with thyroid but no one listens to that. The rash has subsided with help from steroid ointments which I am only using occasionally as when the itch gets unbearable.
My G.P. Is quite understanding and does ask how I feel. I think she will want to lower my dosage from 100 to 75. Not sure how I cope with that!
I did have antibodies tested earlier this year which were in range. Vitamin D3 was o.k. too.
Last October it was low and was given 20,000 iu once a month for 3 months. Levels increased then that’s when the Eczema/allergy started. I thought I was allergic to it and didn’t take anymore after the second month. The levels seemed to increase on their own.
At the moment I can’t afford the private blood tests but have done previously.
I will just have to see what is said tomorrow.
Last time I said what about T3 I was told because my T4 levels were o.k. then that was fine!!
Unfortunately I don’t retain information so I find it hard to put over the facts.
Yes, that's not uncommon with hypo. It affects brain function. But your doctor is so wrong it hurts! It's not all fine just because your T4 level was ok. Any chance of seeing a different doctor who might know about more about it?
Well, for a start, you'd have to learn as much as you can about your disease. You do that by reading. Reading on here and researching on-line. Then, you'd have to get complete testing to know exactly where you are and where the problem lies. Then, post a question asking members to PM you links to reliable sources of whatever it is you decide you want to take. Plenty of us do it.
Strongly recommend getting FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing privately
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
Presumably you have Hashimoto's?
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?
How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
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
TT3 waste of time and all four vitamins need testing regularly
If you ring the hospital and ask for Pathology then they will be able to give you the ranges but they won't tell you anything else as any queries on those results etc must go through your GP.
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