I have suffered so many hypothyroid symptoms for years and people keep telling me to get checke dout. But I have also read so much about UK doctors not tetsing for everything and being dismissive of levels. I would like to go in knowing what I'm asking to be tested for with an idea of what healthy levels might be. But I get so confused by the posts I've read about T3 and T4 etc. I can;t even work out what they mean or whether they should be high or low. Can anyone recommend a good web page that explains them all? Thank you so much.
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mojomaker
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Hey mojo. Sorry that you are not well. Others will reply soon, but thyroid UK is a good place to start for info. But basically a full thyroid test will included TSH T4 and T3. If you are unwell it is wise to get iron, B12 and Vit D tested also. The likelihood of your surgery testing all of these for you is slim. They will probably do a full blood count but that won’t cover everything on here. For that reason, if I were you I would buy a private blood test kit online, arrange a private blood draw and see the results for yourself. You can then post them on here for advice. You can also see your usual Dr and go through the motions. But you’ll know if they are taking you down the wrong rabbit hole! Blue horizon is who I often use. The test I think is called thyroid plus 11. I take the kit to my Drs and the nurse draws blood. Costs me 30quid each time sadly. Post off and get results emailed to me in a day or two
It’s useful to see the results and their reference ranges yourself as you will often be told your results are normal. But they are perhaps not optimal. And this is where you can help yourself with supplements etc or resort to self medicating as many on here do
Defo still go down the normal route of seeing your Dr. It could be that your TSH is sky high and you are an obvious candidate for medication and you’ll be right as rain in six months. This is the ideal scenario. The above is what many of us resort to after trying this and getting nowhere lol
Circulates in the body - T4 converts to T3 at a cellular level when needed.
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Feedback to Hypothalamus and Pituitary and the process continues. Releasing Thyriod hormones based on what’s detected in the body.
So when hypothyroid there are low levels of T4 and T3 so you get a high level of TSH ( high TSH because your body is trying to stimulate the thyroid into working harder to release more T4/T3)
The TSH test is one of the first tests that a GP will do and if you have a out of range result the GP will usually say wait 3mths and see (unless it’s over 10 ie the range for most areas is (0.35 -5) but most GP’s won’t initiate thyroid treatment unless the result is over 10). My first TSH result was around 5, I was experiencing very very hypo symtoms but still they wouldn’t do anything. I returned 3mths later and he did a TSH, FT4 and antibody tests. Then my TSH was 11, my FT4 11.7 (range 9 - 24) and I had high antibodies. So it was known that the cause of my poorly functioning thyroid was autoimmune (not that they told me, I never knew that till many years later) I was started on 50mcg Levothyroxine.
Being on Levothyroxine, only testing TSH and FT4 is usually all that’s needed for many many patients and it’s a good start. So if you are going to the GP for the first time with this I would be comfortable if they only do these 2 tests. I would also take a check list of symptoms. Thyroiduk have a comprehensive list that you can print and take with you and just tell GP that you have been trying to find possible causes of your symtoms and you came across this.
NWA6 - when you say FT4 range is 9-24, do you mean that;s the normal range or the range that proves levels are too high or too low?
This is the sort of data I struggle to understand and I haven't yet found a place that clearly says healthy T3 levels are X. Healthy T4 levels are Y etc. I just can't really grasp what I should be looking for. (Maybe this woolly headedness and confusion is a symptom of low thyroid?)
If I do a home test and post results here, would people be able to interpret and advise?
Which test kit should I use to get a complete and thorough test of all levels: T3, T4 and TSH?
Is there anything else I should get tested for simultaneously? I know my body struggles to absorb B vits. I take a Vit D spray already.
Really appreciate the help on here. Just so tired of being tired and fuzzy brained and most of all so tired of lacking any motivation to do anything, even things I really enjoy.
Different laboratories have different ranges, so there's no "standard " answer
Different people need their FT4 and FT3 at different levels too
Yes, if you get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing privately, come back here with new post once you get results
Members can advise on next steps
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
You could Ask GP to test vitamin levels -if you do, make sure to get actual results and ranges
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
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.
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
NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.
Thank you so much. These replies are so helpful. I think I am going to try and get a full set of tests done privately because I have been feeling like this for years.
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Should T4 &T3 be at the same percentage.?
Optimum TSH, T4 and T3 levels on levothyroxine
what are optimal levels on combined t4/t3 please?
What are the levels of T3 and T4 to aim for? Or is it very individual?
Confused! Taking T3 and T4 and still feeling exhausted.
