Nhs basic thyroid results : Hi, I’ve been feeling... - Thyroid UK

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Nhs basic thyroid results

Kateefc profile image
12 Replies

Hi,

I’ve been feeling rubbish again for the last 6 weeks (also have pa which I self inject for so know that’s ok, sleep apnoea that I’m on CPAP & sleep clinic happy with my results) so I got my thyroid checked (should’ve been checked last in April 18 I found out too) but nhs only did TSH & T4 & want to reduce my thyroxine based on those results.

TSH <0.03 (0.55-4.78)

T4 23.8 (10-20)

I know those two alone look like I’m on too much levothyroxine but surely they can’t get a full picture with just those 2 results? I also had it late in the day after breakfast & lunch but not sure if that would effect the results this much.

I really do feel like I’m not getting enough as I’m struggling to lose weight, exhausted, fatigued, sleeping lots, lack of interest in things, fuzzy brained etc etc ..the usual underactive thyroid symptoms.

I am planning on booking a medichecks full thyroid test & hope to see a better picture - do you guys think that’s the best step?

Thank you

Kate

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Kateefc
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12 Replies
Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

Yes. You need Ft3 checked. It is low Ft3 that causes our symptoms.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water . 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).

Is this how you do your tests?

Do you have Hashimoto's? Had high thyroid antibodies test ?

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

When were vitamin D, folate and ferritin last tested?

As you have PA and SI B12 do you also supplement a daily good quality vitamin B complex?

Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast

Igennus Super B complex are nice small tablets. Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks

Or Thorne Basic B or jarrow B-right are other options that contain folate, but both are large capsules

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Kateefc profile image
Kateefc in reply toSlowDragon

I’m just about to book the £99 test on medicheck & I’ll make sure I don’t eat or drink before it, I just forgot this time. Yes I don’t take my levothyroxine on the day of the test.

In the past I’ve had all sorts checked but no longer have the copies (threw them when I started to feel better in April when I started CPAP ..sleep apnoea they think is caused by my too small far back lower jaw & I've braces on at the moment & meet with the orthodontist & orthognathic surgeon on Friday to discuss next steps of surgery)

Vit D etc were last tested about 2 years ago & vit D was slightly low so told to take a supplement which I did but I’ve not taken it for a year so I could start that again too or should I wait until medichecks results?

Folate ferritin etc where always fine. Not sure on high thyroid antibodies.

My PA was found by a rheumatologist who I was referred to for lupus due to high ana score but he said I didn’t have it & suspected b12 deficiency so tested for that & diagnosed pa. He told me I wouldn’t be able to absorb any orally hence injecting (docs did loading doses but wouldn’t do as many as I needed after them so consultant taught me to SI to save me going to him at the hospital all the time.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toKateefc

The Medichecks test might be cheaper if wait and order tomorrow (Thyroid Thursday offers)

Most thyroid patients need to supplement vitamin D continuously

Test first .....see how low its dropped

Kateefc profile image
Kateefc in reply toSlowDragon

Ok thanks - I’ll wait until tomorrow.

Kateefc profile image
Kateefc

Any tips on what today to say to the dr today as I got the results on livi but seeing a dr at 3:20.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toKateefc

Say that without test results for FT3 and vitamin D, folate and ferritin you don't have full picture and will be getting private testing

Do you have Hashimoto's?

Need both TPO and TG antibodies tested if not been done yet

Kateefc profile image
Kateefc in reply toSlowDragon

Thanks.

It was a locum & he was baffled & said all but two he could arrange but would be 3 weeks til test so he agreed it was best for me to do through medichecks then go back with those results.

I’ve never been told I do but I’m never told anything!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toKateefc

Most medics completely ignore the autoimmune aspect of autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's)

Here in UK they would never call it Hashimoto's......and rarely even bother to test antibodies

Kateefc profile image
Kateefc in reply toSlowDragon

Yup I couldn’t agree more.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Sleep apnea is linked to Hashimoto's

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Kateefc profile image
Kateefc in reply toSlowDragon

The Maxillofacial guy thought it was linked to my thyroid but all of the staff in the sleep clinic & the orthognathic surgeon are convinced that it’s my jaw & have told me there are so many studies out there to prove my jaw type causes SA that they don’t understand why the Maxillofacial facial guy didn’t refer me to orthognathics straight away. The orthognathic one I then saw privately was also baffled & put me back on the nhs & it’s her & an orthodontic colleague of hers I see on Friday to discuss the jaw surgery.

Interesting article though thank you & I’d love it if my SA has caused my thyroid issues & they all disappear after surgery ..how wonderful that would be ey?!

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