Hi can anyone clarify? After 6 years of a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome becoming extremely unwell, recent blood tests, ferritin 380, cholesterol 7.8,, when I eat extremely healthy, liver showing problems, done by private gp and a very detailed chat about my symptoms which are all of them on the list, a lovely and understanding GP looked at my eyebrows, made a comment, asked me if I got anxious, cold, which I thought Yes.... diagnosed underactive thyroid after the blood results, and started me on levothyroidine. He stated GPs do nothing even if tests are deemed normal range. Only 2 weeks in very low dose as I have been hypersensitive to medication in the past, so far so good. He checked my last 6 years tsh and said there were evident problems and this seems to correlate with when I became poorly. Recent NHS bloods by rheumatology Anca, CTD, dsdna, anti rheumatoid factor, complement immunoglobulin and ESR all normal, results today. I explained to the rheumatologist how unwell I was and had been put on levothyroidine, he explained that he didn't know much as not his field. I have arthritis in hips, knees, hands, neck, was very active as a P. E Teacher. I want to know if according to thyroid disease would some of these tests show Inflammation and test positive as I so wanted to see positive as a answer to my problems and life as I knew it gone forever, or these tests (I do not know range results but will ask) can be negative even when you have a thyroid problem. Thank you
Newly diagnosed : Hi can anyone clarify? After... - Thyroid UK
Newly diagnosed
The usual hormone prescribed to people with hypothyroidism is called Levothyroxine. You've got it muddled up with something - possibly iodine?
After 6 years of a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome becoming extremely unwell, recent blood tests, ferritin 380, cholesterol 7.8
High cholesterol is a classic finding in people who are hypothyroid and are either untreated or inadequately treated. A few decades ago (1940s? 1950s?) high cholesterol was considered to be diagnostic for hypothyroidism and doctors coming across it would diagnose the patient as hypothyroid on the basis of the high cholesterol. There were no thyroid function tests available at the time. Another thing to bear in mind is that high cholesterol in the 1940s was a lot higher than "high" cholesterol today. Up until the early 1990s the top of the range for Total Cholesterol was 7.5. Now it's 5. It isn't that humans have changed - it is just that convincing people they have a health "problem" that can be "fixed" with a pill is very good for business. I hope you aren't taking a statin for your cholesterol. See this link :
spacedoc.com/articles/50-fa...
Without a reference range it is impossible to be sure, but the ferritin (iron stores) level you quote seems to be rather high. This can be a sign of various issues, but a ferritin without a reference range and no other information is insufficient to come to any conclusions.
Having your basic nutrients tested could shed some light on your health problems.
If you take a statin that can cause all sorts of muscle and joint problems. The same is true for low vitamin D.
Hi thanks for that doctor stated he has seen this with thyroid issues, ferritin, cholesterol, liver tests and should settle once medication kicks in, never had high cholesterol in my life till started being unwell and other blood results changing too. Vitamin d levels I supplement, go in the sun for 15 min and did a lot of research plus spoke to Dr grimes was consultant at Blackburn hospital who has a Web site and is very well read and researcher on the mechanism of vitamin d. I did think years ago that's why I am ill but 2 years on and good vitamin d level muscle soreness not changed. Dr grimes told me not to take statins due to impact on muscles, hopefully these bloods will rectify once thyroid problems managed, it's the other rheumatology tests showing normal in letter today some meaning thyroid problems showing normal but as we not bloods are not accurately a diagnosis.
Do you have thyroid results?
TSH
FT4
FT3
TPO antibodies
Tg antibodies
The most important, the most telling result is the FT3, but doctors tend to only look at the TSH. And, yes, the TSH can be 'perfect', but the FT3 still too low.
Hi thank you yes T4 13. 8, tsh 1. 53 started me on levo thyroxine early days 2 weeks in half a 25mg, 6.5 for first 2 weeks as been hypersensitive to medication in the past but I'm OK presently. Told me results often dismissed as normal. Gp was very knowledgable, explained hormones showed me how thyroid problems affect the body. I've got every symptom going. I have been very unwell seeing specialist not one as helpful as last gp. (private)
Well, just testing TSH and FT4 is not adequate. You need the other tests I mentioned. Surely, if he's very knowledgeable, he should know that.
Your FT4 does look low, but you haven't give the range. Please always give ranges, because they vary from lab to lab.
T4 12- 22-00. Tsh 0.27 4.2 he's a elderly gp surely would not prescribe unless sure
Ah, but it's a tad more complicated than that.
There, you have a very low FT4 and a low-ish TSH. That is not normal. With that FT4, the TSH should be a lot higher. So, why isn't it?
Two possible explanations:
a) you have a high FT3. Whist that is unlikely, all things are possible.
b) you have a pituitary/hypothalamus problem. That's called Central Hypo. If the pituitary isn't producing enough TSH to stimulate the thyroid, you will have a low FT4/3 and a low TSH. So, it would be a good idea to check the FT3 to be sure.
So, if you have Central Hypo, it's not just as simple as giving levo to bring thyroid levels up. Because the pituitary and the hypothalamus are not just concerned with the TSH. They produce other hormone, which could also be low. So, if other hormones - like ATCH for example, which stimulates the adrenals to make cortisol - are low, then they too will be causing symptoms. So, by rights, they too should be tested.
Does your doctor understand Central Hypo? Might be an idea to ask him.
Thanks for this will tell him all this. I did mention pituitary and adrenals as I have had prolactin levels tested a few years ago, producing breast milk, not all the time but have had this for 27 years now. Breast specialist said its hormones. Prolactin level tested. Test was in normal range but I do get a very strange thing going on, feeling of swelling breast tissue, stress makes this worse. I told gp this as read about this needed checking but he disnt think adrenals needed testing. I have been very stressed with all this, bought a book on adrenal fatigue years ago. As you said T4 low and other testing needed you picked up pituitary and adrenals. It's needs investigation Thank you
Welcome to the forum
You will need bloods retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change in Levothyroxine
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 .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
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
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.
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 .
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...
Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
Decreased levothyroxine over past year
Newly diagnosed Type 2
Newly diagnosed
Finally diagnosed with thyroid disease
High Inflammation markers
