Thyroid levels

[Jellybabyhead]

Hello

Last December I had a lump appear on my neck - turned out it was a thyroid cyst that had bled. They removed half my thyroid in February as it looked worrying; the biopsy thankfully showed it was benign.

So now I only have half a thyroid and have been having my thyroid levels measured to ensure it is compensating.

April test: TSH 4.5, T4 10

June test: TSH 6.25, T4 12

August test: TSH 4.5, T4 10.7

I have now been told this is fine and I don't need testing again.

However I feel AWFUL! Exhausted since December but worse and worse in the last 6-8 weeks - fatigued, can't remember things, can't concentrate, sleep problems, exhausted, constipated, muscle weakness, breathlessness, dizziness. The GP diagnosed me with depression but I feel sure my low mood is a result of all the other symptoms, not the other way around.

Two different GPs (same practice) have informed me you do not see hypothyroidism symptoms at these levels, but is this true? He also pointed out that my T4 levels a few years ago were 11.5 so they have always been on the low side, so current levels are around “my normal”.

(I have had virtually every other blood test going - everything else is “in normal range” [I am learning to question this phrase!])

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Jellybabyhead

Is that Free T4 or Total T4?

What are the reference ranges - we can only interpret results when the reference range is included as ranges vary from lab to lab.

[Jellybabyhead in reply to SeasideSusie]

Oh I don’t know if it’s free or total T4 - I had assumed total. Ranges... TSH 0.3-4.4. I don’t know about T4 but have been told my results are within normal range.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jellybabyhead]

Jellybabyhead

Are you in the UK? If so pop along to the surgery and ask at the reception desk for a print out of your results - do this every time you have a blood test so that you can monitor your condition yourself and you'll know where levels need to be for you to feel best.

In the UK it's usually Free T4 that is done, although it may be Scotland or Ireland where Total T4 is done. It's the Free T4 test that tells us what we want to know.

The ranges we see on here for FT4 are 7-17, 9-19, 11-13, 12-22 and others. So there's no way we can know where in range your "normal" result is but I'm guessing it's low.

TSH 0.3-4.4

All your TSH results have been over range. In a "normal healthy person" one would expect to see TSH no higher than 2-ish.

I think with your TSH results, plus your FT4 probably being low in range, then these are not good results for anyone and it would seem that your remaining half of your thyroid is not doing a good enough job and you need to be started on Levo - just my layman's opinion (I am not medically qualified).

If you can get hold of your results before you had any thyroid problem it will give you an idea of where your levels were and if you were feeling well with those levels then that's what should be aimed for now.

[Jellybabyhead in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you SeasideSusie. Yes am in the UK so I’ll get a copy of my results and find out about ranges. Can’t go on like this, it’s ridiculous!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need 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 or if Thyroid is struggling

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

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

Suggest you ask GP to test vitamins and thyroid antibodies

Or get full testing privately

ALWAYS aim to get thyroid tests as early as possible in morning and fasting, to get most consistent results

[Jellybabyhead in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon. My vitamin levels were tested and all came back within normal range. I will try to get a copy of my full results as I don’t feel like I know what is going on and I have a lot of research to do. I will also discuss getting tested again in 6 weeks and ask if they will consider starting treatment anyway - this was offered after my June tests so they may be amenable.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jellybabyhead]

Always get actual results and ranges especially on vitamins, FT3 and FT4

Vitamin levels frequently need to be optimal, not just bumping along bottom of range

Vitamin D at least around 80nmol

B12 at least over 500

Folate at least over 10

Ferritin at least half way in range

[Teresamarie]

Hi jellybeanhead

Love your name!😊 Just wanted to say I’m with you all the way on this feeling awful stuff. I guess we need to keep plugging away at it and KNOW that what you are feeling is not your NORM!

[Jellybabyhead in reply to Teresamarie]

Thanks Teresamarie 😊