Hair loss, dry skin, feeling cold, dry eyes, no outer eyebrows, water retention, aches and pains, brain that refuses to function, extreme fatigue and a basal body temp of 35.5. amongst other niggles.
TSH levels have been borderline for that 3 years of tests. (Gradually got worse!)
But doc says wouldn’t prescribe anything with these blood results.
Latest bloods are;
Serum TSH 4.63
Serum free T4 13.1
Thyroid antibodies <9. ??
Also white blood cell count is consistently high but I figure the doc is just looking at my latest results, not collectively.
White blood cells 10.71 (just out of normal range)
They did test for free T3 but those results are not on the printout I got from the doctors! Not sure why?
What do you think of my results?
I’m literally pulling (what’s left) of my hair out.
😞
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TasFish
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Can you add the ranges on FT4 result. It looks low
You need BOTH TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested
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
Ask GP to test vitamin levels
You will need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative
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)
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
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.
Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
I hope the doctor provides the test results needed. If not, do them yourself on Medichecks, post on here and you will get lots of great advice. I’ve had many of your symptoms, so understand how you are feeling. I feel better for taking some vitamins- but you must get tested first ( eg on Medichecks- can get vitamins & thyroid tested together) see what you are low in, again post on here and ask for advice before heading to the shops. Have you tried going gluten free? It really does help many people with thyroid issues.
It wasa basal temperature similar to yours that shook me into sorting myself out and I still take my temperature every day on waking. Think it’s an excellent hint as to what is going on. Mine is now 36.9, sometimes drops to 36.8 so pretty good now.
I would also work on vitamins as well. I was surprised what a difference to made to get those optimal as well. I was wanting to go back onto NDT so needed to get those right first having read that it’s not always that easy to take any form of T3 until these things are sorted so having done that the switchover went without any problems. That’s something l’ve learn over the years is to get the basics right first .Sometime they can take some time but then I’ve found it takes even longer if not addressed.
The range on your TSH is unusual but if the units are indeed mlU/L (which is what you say) then you are bound to feel ill. I would be in a coma with a TSH of 4.63 mlU/L.
Start thinking about getting your own blood tests. Get what you can on the NHS but anything they will not do, get them via Medichecks. Post your results here and get our opinions. You may then have to find a doc who will start you off on Levothyroxine, probably 50mcg to begin with. If Levo works you are lucky, it works on most people but not on many of the people who write on this forum. However, take that route first then you may have to branch out into T3 supplementation or NDT - but we'll talk about that later if the Levo doesn't work. Now, right at the beginning it is a bit expensive because of the many blood tests you will need in order to check how your medication and changes in dose are going. However, you will get to your critical dose quickly if you do your own monitoring and then you will only need one blood test per year just to keep things on track.
I would recommend you fiddle with your dose until you feel well. Watch your blood pressure, pulse rate and body temp, do not let any of these go outside of normal ranges. Your doc will not know how to do this because they will just look at your TSH and where it is within their guidelines - which are incorrect and out of date.
No question in my mind. You are hypothyroid. Only in the UK do they make you suffer horrendous symptoms as your TSH climbs up to 10. In the U.S., you would be treated already with a TSH that high. Your FT4 is also quite low. You might want to take a look at this article, which contains optimal values for thyroid function tests. restartmed.com/normal-thyro...
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