Thyroid blood results

[Debxx]

Hi there, please can someone help!! my bloods are TSH 16.9 0.30-4.20mU/L Serum free T4 level 17.2 12.00-22.00pmol/L

im taking 100 mg Thyroxine docto wants me to take 125 five times aweek but i feel great just what im on right now

would it be dangerous to just keep taking the 100 im confussed lol

Thank you guys xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

There's something wrong with these test results

TSH is far too high, with FT4 high as well.

With TSH very high, you would expect FT4 to be very low

Did you take Levothyroxine in 1-6 hours before blood test?

You need bloods retested

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Have you had vitamin levels and antibodies tested?

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).

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.

[Debxx in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much that's what i thought to be honest

My Doctor said she just wants me to increase my Levothyroxine and she was concerned about my TSH only my T4

are these results bad?

thanks again x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Debxx]

Well they don't make much sense

Blood test should be early morning.

See you said Testing was evening.....that should make TSH lower.

Did you take Levothyroxine before blood test?

Have you recently had change in brand of Levothyroxine?

Ask GP to repeat tests or test privately

[Debxx in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, yes i take it in the morning before food or any other tablets vits

could only get appiontment for evening at chase farm hospital

[sbadd]

When were these bloods done? How long have you been on meds?

[Debxx in reply to sbadd]

Hi there, thank you for your reply

ive been on meds for over 15 years with graves then thyroid eye eyes so server had to have radiotherapy to both eyes temple area then orbital decompresion then lateral lid lowering

the graves burnt itself out left me underactive so now after years ive been taking levo for around ten i think at least

i went for a blood test in the evening

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Didn't realise you are a new member

Welcome to the forum

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

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)

Levothyroxine should always be taken on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and more effective taken at bedtime

All medication at least two hours away from Levo. Some like HRT, PPI's, magnesium, iron or vitamin D, at least four hours away

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet.

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change in Levothyroxine.

[Debxx in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you xx and thank you for your great info much appreicated

[Angel_of_the_North]

Those are very weird results. I would suspect something wrong with the TSH result as it does not reflect your FT4 results and you say you feel fine. If it was me, I would accept the increased prescription but just take 100 and keep the extra 25s for a rainy day.

[Debxx in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Hi Angel,yes i know but hows it possible do you think the reading is mixed up in labs i know it shouldnt happen but this is nhs or do you think it coud be graves returning im totally confused anyone else had these results before

i think i will just keep taking 100 like you say keep for a rainy day

thank you

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Debxx]

If it was Graves your TSH would be suppressed. Monoclonal antibodies interfere with test results (not the same as Graves and Hashis antibodies) as does biotin in B vitamins. If you start to get hypo symptoms you can always start taking the extra 25s

[Debxx in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

so confused lol all i feel is a little run down to be honest hair stopped falling out but finer not thick anymore dry skin

so i dont need to worry about it then just keep taking 100 hopefully do you think it might sort itself out i next have bloods done in three months instead of six now

thank you Angel

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Debxx]

You should have bloods done in 6-weeks as you have (as far as the doctor knows) had a change in dose. I wouldn't call feeling run down, feeling fine - perhaps you do need the increase.