TSH results

[ElizabethM]

Hi all. I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and today I got my results from my 6 monthly labs; the reading was 0.429, which is lower than my usual ~0.8 and I was wondering whether 0.429 is too low, or whether I should continue on my existing dosage (just 50 mcg). I asked the doctor and she didn’t give it any importance and said that as long as it’s not in the red (it wasn’t), not to worry. What do you ladies make of it? Thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Most importantly.......how do you feel?

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

You need FT3, FT4 tested at same time as TSH

As you have Hashimoto's it's important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 too

When were these last tested and what vitamin supplements do you take?

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)

Is this how you do your tests?

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

[ElizabethM in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your reply. I will look into the tests. Tbh, my GP is quite good when I ask for tests, but in this case it would seem it was just TSH. I feel mostly fine, I must say. Tired whenever life gets too hectic, especially with the little one, but nothing of particular note. I was just wondering what you all made of the TSH at my value, in isolation and whether this was too low. Thanks again.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ElizabethM]

If you don't regularly test vitamin levels and take vitamin supplements, your levels may be low too

These can cause symptoms in their own right and/of affect Thyroid test results. That's why it's important to test full Thyroid and vitamin levels

[Angel_of_the_North]

Can't tell anything really from TSH on its own. What were your free T4 and free T3 readings? TSH varies according to time of day and season of the year (and how responsive your pituitary gland is), so it's a pretty inaccurate way of testing the thyroid

[ElizabethM in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thanks for your reply. I was just tested for TSH this time round and was wondering what you all made of the TSH at my value, in isolation and whether this was too low. Thanks again

[Gingernut44 in reply to ElizabethM]

In my opinion, your TSH is not too low but you didn't give the range. A lot of ranges start at around 0.2 for TSH so, in that case, you are still within range. Of course, it depends on how you feel with that TSH and, as has already been said, you really need to know your FT4 and FT3 (tested at the same time) to make a proper judgement.

[ElizabethM in reply to Gingernut44]

Many thanks. Range is 0.4 - 4.2. Given I was just slightly over the minimum value, I thought it was too low, given the last couple of readings on the current dosage are in the region of ~ 0.8. Other than that, I feel fine, mostly.

[NWA6]

Hey ElizabethM. TSH is not a good indicator of health when on thyroid treatment. FT4 and FT3 are needed. TSH is only a signal from the pituitary to the thyroid and once we start interfering with the nature process it can no longer be helpful to worry about its number. But our professionals seem he’ll bent on making a big deal about it 😩

Just as an example for you my TSH is 0.003. If that was the only test I took it might be thought that I was HYPERthyroid. But my FT4/3 are perfect for me and I have no symptoms of Hyper. My thyroid is all but dead, my meds do it’s job in place of it. My body detects that I have good levels of thyroxine and so my pituitary Doesn’t send the signal fir my thyroid to get to work. Makes perfect sense to be but the NHS staff don’t seem to understand despite their much more ‘superior’ education compared to mine 😩

[ElizabethM in reply to NWA6]

Many thanks. I’ll make sure they test FT3/FT4 next time.