Blood results

[Abbey21]

Hi, I have an underactive thyroid, just got my blood test results back which are 4.1, they said everything was OK and no further action was required, I was just wondering if the level is ok, it's always been lower than this in the past, thanks for any ideas x

[bantam12]

If your tsh is 4.1 then no it's not ok, it means you need an increase of whatever replacement you are taking.

[Abbey21 in reply to bantam12]

Thanks for the quick reply, I'll go and have a talk to the Dr, hopefully he'll listen to me and not just say my results were ok, thanks again

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just testing TsH is completely inadequate....though in this case it does show you are very under medicated and need 25mcg dose increase

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

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

Havd you ever had thyroid antibodies tested? If not, request they are at next test, along with vitamin levels

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

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 .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine

(Many of us need TSH nearer 0.2 than 2.0 to feel well)

See box

Thyroxine replacement in primary hypothyroidism

pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...

[Abbey21 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, thank you for all this info, firstly I've never been told not to take my tab before a test, or to fast, and when I ask for my results I only get the TSH one. At the moment I'm taking 75mcg, it's been reduced from 100mcg 2 years ago, they said I was being over medicated but I've always asked for my results and they'd a never been above 2 so that's a puzzle. Also last year my hair started coming out I had one or two bald patches and general thinning, the Dr said it was nothing to do with my Thyroid and didn't test me again, but like I said the one I had last week was 4.1, how do I get the Dr to listen to me? Have you ever seen a specialist maybe that's what I need. Thanks again for your help

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Abbey21]

Print this out

pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...

Take to GP and request dose increase in Levothyroxine and vitamin testing

Low ferritin often causes hair loss

Low ferritin common when under medicated

[Abbey21 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks a lot for your help with this, I'll make an app and show the Dr all this info, as soon as I manage to get in to see him I'll let you know what happens, thanks again