Low TSH

[LadyWard]

Just a quick question - my daughter is 23 just had a serious of blood test, due to slight tiredness and main thing is constipation. All blood test came back normal, her TSH redaing was 0.2, is that too low? should i/she be concerned, I have Under active caused by antibodies. i don't have any ranges - sorry and apart from the constipation and tummy problems she is fine? x

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Just testing TSH is not enough, she needs a full thyroid panel:

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

As you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashi's) there's a possibility she may have as well so it's essential her antibodies are tested. Also, just testing TSH can't possibly rule out Central Hypothyroidism which is where the problem lies with the hypothalamus or the pituitary and this prevents the signal - TSH - being sent to the thyroid to produce hormone. Central hypothyroidism is diagnosed when TSH is normal, low or slightly elevated and FT4 is low. So if she can't get all tests done with her GP then I seriously suggest she gets a private test done with one of our recommended labs.

Also, as there's a possibility of her having Hashi's like you, and Hashi's tends to cause low nutrient levels or deficiencies, it would be wise to get her vitamins tested

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Cheapest way to get everything done with one of the private labs is to do a full thyroid/vitamin panel (fingerprick test available, or for an extra cost venous blood draw can be arranged):

Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT medichecks.com/thyroid-func... You can use code THYROIDUK for a 10% discount on any test not on special offer

or

Blue Horizon Thyroid Check PLUS ELEVEN bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

Both tests include the full thyroid and vitamin panel. They are basically the same test but with the following small differences:

For the fingerprick test, Blue Horizon requires 1 x microtainer of blood (0.8ml), Medichecks requires 2 x microtainers (total 1.6ml)

Blue Horizon includes Total T4 (can be useful but not essential). Medichecks doesn't include this test.

B12 - Blue Horizon does Serum B12. Medichecks does Active B12.

Serum B12 shows the total B12 in the blood. Active B12 shows what's available to be taken up by the cells. You can have a reasonable level of Serum B12 but a poor level of Active B12. (Personally, I would go for the Active B12 test.)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

She needs full Thyroid and vitamin testing to check for thyroid antibodies and low vitamins

If you can catch Hashimoto's early enough and work on improving her vitamin levels and look at food intolerances, she might possibly avoid need for Levothyroxine

Hashimoto's often starts with early hyperthyroid phase, hence possible reason for low TSH with hypo symptoms