Thiroyd and blood testing

[vickijh32]

Hi all, I've been taking Thiroyd for over a year now and am feeling great. My doctor requested my bloods to be taken and I said that due to the medication I'm now taking I need my free t3 as well as my free t4 testing, but they have only checked my free t4 which is 4.7 and my TSH is 31.06. My doctor has insisted I go back on levothyroxine saying that my medication isn't working, despite me telling them how great I'm feeling, and when I was on levothyroixne I wanted to end it all as I couldn't function or cope with every day life. Is anyone able to help me understand more about blood test results and what they should be whilst taking natural desiccated thyroid as I really don't want to go back to feeling so dreadful again. Hope my post makes sense. thank you in advance x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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 and thyroid antibodies if not had antibodies tested

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative. NHS rarely tests FT3 .....even if prescribed T3

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)

If/when also on T3, or NDT make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

A TSH of 31 would suggest you need dose increase in NDT

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and 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

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Are you absolutely sure that your TSH is 31.06? That is a very hypothyroid result. When on NDT one would expect to see TSH low in range, maybe even suppressed.

I don't understand how you can be feeling great with such a high TSH, many people would be bedbound with that level.

Can you post your results with their reference ranges so we can double check.

Hypothyroidism is diagnosed when TSH is over range with a low. Free T4. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges, when on Levo only, if that is where you feel well. When on NDT the TSH is low, often suppressed, the FT4 can be low and the FT3 is often in the upper part of the range.

[silverfox7]

When I was first diagnosed back in the 1980’s I was put on NDT and never tested. I was given 1 grain. A few years down the track I felt symptoms coming back so I was given a second grain and wellness returned. When prescribed NDT I was told that my body would take the amount it needed provided the Pugh was offered and yes it did work like that and I was very well. Not sure that method would be well received now though! Plus I have an Endo who insisted we must get my TSH higher and is of the opinion that my results should be the same as if taking T4 only.