These results were from 5 weeks ago. Just out of interest so i know what to look for with my next lots of results, Do these look ok? Im on 50gm of Levo. Free Thyroxine is also known as T4 isn't it?
I know my TSH is exactly the same as doctors did blood test last week, but that's all they did so now waiting for my private ones to come back, the full monty, ive paid for everything x
Thank you all - and yes i still have the same symptoms as when first diagnosed. Mainly tired, vertigo, constipation, no voice and a little on the plump side
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LadyWard
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You results suggest you are under medicated and need 25mcg dose increase in Levothyroxine
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each increase in Levothyroxine
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
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. So if you want to avoid Teva stick with 50mcg plus 1/2 50mcg tablet or 50mcg plus 25mcg
For most people: 50–100 micrograms once daily, preferably taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast, caffeine-containing liquids (such as coffee or tea), or other drugs.
This should be adjusted in increments of 25–50 micrograms every 3–4 weeks according to response. The usual maintenance dose is 100–200 micrograms once daily.
These results were from 5 weeks ago. Just out of interest so i know what to look for with my next lots of results, Do these look ok? Im on 50gm of Levo.
No, your TSH is far too high. Your FT4 is 38% through it's range and your FT3 is 24% through it's range. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally, when on Levo, is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it needs to be for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their reference ranges, if that is where you feel well. Those results showed that you were undermedicated and needed an increase in your dose of Levo.
Free Thyroxine is also known as T4 isn't it?
Yes, but it's known as Free T4 or FT4, to differentiate it from Total T4 which is often referred to as just T4. Total T4 shows T4 that is bound to proteins and unbound (free) T4. It's the Free T4 that is important.
and yes i still have the same symptoms as when first diagnosed.
If you were still on 50mcg when that test was done then that's no surprise. You are hypothyroid and need that increase in dose, 25mcg immediately, retest in 6-8 weeks, then keep repeating until levels are where they need to be for you to feel well. TSH alone is not good enough to be a guide for dose of Levo, it's the FT4 and FT3 (especially) that are needed, but the NHS don't see this and rarely do these two other tests.
Hopefully you did your new test following the advice always given here:
* Book the first appointment of the morning, or with private tests at home no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If we are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction then we need TSH to be as high as possible.
* Fast overnight - have your evening meal/supper as normal the night before but delay breakfast on the day of the test and drink water only until after the blood draw. Eating may lower TSH, caffeine containing drinks affect TSH.
* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.
* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (both Medichecks and Blue Horizon advise to leave Biotin/B Complex off).
These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.
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