Due for thiyroid bloods tomorrow : Hi to all you... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

138,820 members162,893 posts

Due for thiyroid bloods tomorrow

birkie profile image
17 Replies

Hi to all you lovely people

I'm due to have my 3rd lot of thiyroid bloods tomorrow my 3rd lot since my total TT in May this year..

My last bloods done on the 23rd sep are as follows

FREE T3 A NORMAL.. 3.1 pmol/L ranges 3.10--6.80..pmol/L..

FREE T 4 A NORMAL... 13.3 pmol/L.. Ranges 11.00..22.00pmol/L

TSH..0.05 mU/L... Ranges 0.30-4.50mU/L

Vit B12 A Normal... 254..ng/L..ranges 197.00-771.00ng/L

Serum ferritin 17 ug/L see gp...ranges 23.00-400.00 ug/L... Gp doing this test tomorrow..

Serum total 25-OH vit D level... Range70 nm1/L..

My gp as not requested Folate or thiyroid anti bodies(I have graves).. Only had one anti body test that was before my op.. Was told my anti bodies were attacking my thiyroid.. And were high although I have requested these results I've yet to receive them..also my results for T3 and T4 are normal... But I feel awful as I have posted on here.. I would love to know what my levels were before my diagnosis in sep 2018 and compare them to the ones now... How long do gps keep blood results does anyone know..??

Thanks.., ❤️❤️

Written by
birkie profile image
birkie
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
17 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Your September results show you are under medicated

Your FT4 and FT3 are definitely NOT normal. They are within range (just) but way off being optimal

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

FT4 only 18% through range (should be at least 60-80% through range)

FT3 - zero - right at bottom of range range

Useful calculator for working out % through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

How much Levothyroxine were you taking before this test ?

Did you get dose increase in Levothyroxine after these results?

Ferritin is extremely deficient

GP should have run full iron panel testing for Anaemia.

Presumably you are on ferrous fumerate supplements now? 2 or 3 per day.

Eating liver or liver pate once a week, plus other iron rich foods like black pudding, prawns, spinach, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily vitamin C can help improve iron absorption

B12 very low

No folate test?

Has GP tested for Pernicious Anaemia before you are starting on any B vitamin supplements

Vitamin D may be better higher. GP will only prescribe to bring vitamin D up to 50nmol. Aiming to improve by self supplementing to at least 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better .

Once you Improve level, you may need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Retesting twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function.

It's trial and error what dose each person needs.

Local CCG guidelines

clinox.info/clinical-suppor...

Government recommends everyone supplement October to April

gov.uk/government/news/phe-...

Blood test tomorrow

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)

Come back with new post once you get results

birkie profile image
birkie in reply to SlowDragon

Hi slowDragon

I know you have given me some great advice on here.... My surgeon started me on 125mg after my op this may... Then has reduced it down to 50mg with increments of 100mg 75mg and now 50mg I've done the whole 9 yards no levo before blood test and fasting and early app.. I will post my results on here as soon as I get them... But as I have said I'm bothered about coming off levo for six weeks and don't think it should be my gp who impliments this I've rang my endos secretary to see where I am in the appointment list but she's not got back yet... 😠

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to birkie

So these results were when on 50mcg Levothyroxine?

You needed dose increase to 75mcg and blood retested 6-8 weeks later

Most important results are FT3 and FT4

TSH is frequently unresponsive after Thyroidectomy.

TSH is also frequently very low if any of the four vitamins are low

Ferritin is way below range. What has GP done about this?

B12 very low

No folate

Vitamin D needs improving

Email Dionne at Thyroid Uk for list of recommended thyroid specialists

birkie profile image
birkie in reply to SlowDragon

Hi

His taking bloods tomorrow and says his going to check for iorn levels as for vit D he says it's OK as is B12... I've got my list ready of what I want done full panels of thiyroid all vitamins / folate/ferttine B12 vit D ect I'm also requesting FSH.. And anti bodies if the nurse as a problem with this she can take it up with my gp but I'm getting them done I'm entitled to them... 😠

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to birkie

You can help yourself by improving low vitamin D, folate and B12 levels by self supplementing

Folate and B12

Starting with 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...

Vitamin D

NHS minimum levels use to be 75nmol.

Aiming to improve by self supplementing to at least 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better .

Once you Improve level, you may need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Retesting twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function. Suggest you try 1000iu spray once daily

Government recommends everyone supplement vitamin D October to April

gov.uk/government/news/phe-...

Selenium supplements can help improve conversion of FT4 to FT3 as well

Iron .....at least GP is doing full iron panel test

Come back with new post once you get results

You need to push GP for 25mcg dose increase in Levothyroxine ....Point out just how low Ft3 and FT4 are

If you can't get dose increase then you need to go over GP's head and see a recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologist

Getting the list of recommended thyroid specialists from Dionne at Thyroid Uk. See if there's one near you who's on NHS. Ideally have the name ready of who you might want referral to for meeting tomorrow

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/About_...

Levothyroxine should always be taken on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

All medication at least two hours away from Levo. Some like HRT, PPI's, magnesium, iron or vitamin D, at least four hours away

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.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to birkie

Absolutely refuse to agree to stopping or reducing Levothyroxine.

You need dose increase, not dose reduction

birkie profile image
birkie in reply to SlowDragon

Hi

Yes I agree I need increase but gp is adamant his taking me off for six weeks.... As I say that's what he thinks.... I'm not doing anything until I speak to an endo.. 👍

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to birkie

He needs reporting to GMC if he seriously thinks someone with no thyroid should have no Levothyroxine for 6 weeks

birkie profile image
birkie

Hi janeyjaney

My surgeon and gp are trying to get my TSH to rise.. But given I've no thiyroid some lovely people on here have said my TSH will always be low or suppressed as the link between the pituitary and thiyroid is broken.. I have graves(hyperthyroidism) they should be concentrating on My T3 level... Which is in the bottom range I will be at war with my gp again trying to get it threw his thick skull it's T3 you need to look at... 😠

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to birkie

Birkie, it's not because you have had your thyroid removed that your TSH will always be suppressed. TSH is not a thyroid hormone, it's produced by the pituitary.

The reason it will probably never rise is because you had Grave's, with long-term suppressed TSH. The pituitary/thyroid axis has become down-graded, and suppressed is now your new normal, no matter what the level of your thyroid hormones.

Do make sure you get that right when you talk to your doctor, won't you? We don't want both of your talking rubbish! lol (Sorry, joke)

birkie profile image
birkie in reply to greygoose

Hi

Prob put that wrong on this post but I did mention to my GP about the axis had become down graded and a suppressed TSH is now my new normal..no response from him other than to take me off Levo for six weeks to see if TSH rises..his doing this on my next blood work I'm at docs tomorrow for bloods..so he will take me off Levo then..well that's what he thinks..😡😡

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to birkie

He wants shooting! He's insane! Is he deliberately trying to kill you? Obviously he knows so little about thyroid that your explanation went straight over his head! Doctors like that should be struck off!

birkie profile image
birkie in reply to greygoose

Totally agree greygoose

I'm taking no notice of him need to see an endo...ASAP..still waiting on his secretary to get back to me..😡

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to birkie

Hope she gets back soon! And I hope you lodge a complaint about this dangerous doctor with the highest authority! Fingers crossed!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to birkie

As you have Graves, you may find strictly gluten free diet helps improve gut function

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

birkie profile image
birkie in reply to SlowDragon

Hi

I have colitis my gut is always bad and some meds upset it as do some foods I'm seeing my gastro consultant on thur he ad requested to see me after my enderscope results.. So I will mention gluten to him..

Thanks slowDragon ❤️

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to birkie

Literally thousands of posts on here about gluten intolerance (not necessarily coeliac)

Extremely common with both Hashimoto's and Graves

You may also like...

Blood tests for overactive thiyroid

overactive thiyroid..I was diagnosed on Sep 18th my T3 was 24.2 I'm on no anti thiyroid meds as I...

Blood test results - advice please.

- (0.30 - 5.50mlU/L) Serum free T4 level - 12.3 pmol/L - (9.00 - 25.00 pmol/L)...

Results of blood tests - interpretation, am I hypothyroid?

hypothyroid. Results Serum TSH 4.7 mu/L [0.4 -5.5] Serum Free T4 18.1 pmol/L [11.5 - 22.7] Serum...

New NHS Endocrinologist tomorrow for ‘Second Opinion’. Help with bloods please!

Second Opinion Consultant tomorrow I can defend taking T3! Test Range Result TSH 0.27 - 4.2...

Thyroid Blood Results

= 11.5 pmol/L (9.0 - 19.1) Serum free T3 level = 5.1 pmol/L (2.4 - 6.0) Serum total 25-OH vit D...