Test results - please help!

[LAGee]

Hi,

Recent test results showed t4 - 11 and tsh - 2.5. Are these in the normal range? Many thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Thyroid test results always need ranges (figures in brackets after each result)

Are you on 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

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

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

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

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

[greygoose]

The TSH would be, yes, but whether in the right place in the so-called 'normal' range depends on whether you are taking levo or something, or are undiagnosed. We need more information, I'm afraid.

For the FT4 there's no way of guessing. Was the range not next to it, in brackets? Where did this results come from? A verbal message over the phone? A consultants letter? Ranges vary from lab to lab, so we need the range that goes with your result.

Welcome to the forum.

[LAGee in reply to greygoose]

Hi, thanks for replying. I am undiagnosed and on no medication. Been suffering from many symptoms of underactive thyroid which led to me getting tested. The results were told to me verbally by doctors receptionist with no explanation.

[greygoose in reply to LAGee]

Typical! But, unacceptable. I think if it were me, I'd go back and tell that receptionist that I wanted a print-out. That way you get the ranges. They just don't know enough about it to understand the importance of the results. And, one shouldn't really expect a receptionist to know. It's your doctor at fault here.

Besides, those two tests on their own don't tell the whole story. You also need the FT3 and two sets of antibodies tested.

All we can say at the moment is that your TSH is suggesting that your thyroid is struggling - only suggesting, mind. We don't have enough information to know anything more. And, neither does your doctor, although he's going to tell you that they're 'normal', which is the way they fob patients off. 'Normal' just means 'in-range', which in itself is meaningless.

Would you be able to get private tests done so that you can get the full story?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to LAGee]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Low vitamin levels can cause symptoms in their own right...and/or be low due to thyroid problems

Next step is to get vitamin levels, thyroid antibodies and FT3, fT4 and TSH tested

Thyroid issues often start after hormonal changes....puberty, pregnancy, menopause

[LAGee in reply to SlowDragon]

Many thanks. I think I will go down the route of private testing.