Calling seaside Susie

[Glynis1956]

Hi my daughter has a TSH of 4.59 and free thyroxine 13.3 she is bloated gained weight and struggles with energy levels and aches all over. What do you think. 🙂

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Glynis1956

Reference ranges vary from lab to lab so please add the ranges for the results so they can be interpreted accurately. I imagine TSH is probably over range but it's impossible to comment on FT4.

If you can please add the ranges I will pop back tomorrow and comment further as I'm going to bed now.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation your daughter needs TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also 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)

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 primary 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_...

Ask GP to test vitamins and antibodies

[Glynis1956 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you that is a great help. My daughter has an appointment to see an endocrinologist prof pierce in Oct.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Glynis1956]

We always recommend getting FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing BEFORE seeing any specialist, especially if private consultation

Getting vitamins tested and supplement to bring to optimal can help improve symptoms