Under active thyroid results

[Essexlil]

Hi , I’ve been telling my husband for years that I think he has a thyroid problem. He asked for a blood test about 2 years ago and it was ‘normal’. He still has symptoms and has just had a blood test which is abnormal. Why is our GP re-testing again in three months? I think that’s a long time when he could be on medication but nothings being done until then

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Guidelines do recommend waiting 6-8 weeks before getting 2nd test .....as it’s likely once on thyroid replacement it’s for rest of your life

Suggest you get copies of actual results from now and previously. Far too frequently only TSH is tested

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 no5 been done yet

If vitamin levels are low, improving these can improve symptoms, while waiting for thyroid retest,

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 .

When started in levothyroxine....

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...

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. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten.

So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

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 is in top third of range and FT3 at least half way through range

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

High cholesterol is linked to being hypothyroid and statins are not advised for anyone who is hypothyroid

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

[Essexlil]

Ok thank you for your advice guess he’ll have to wait for re-test

[Marz in reply to Essexlil]

... or click onto the link SlowDragon posted above and have the Tests done privately. There is a Special Offer on at the moment ... check through the Posts of today for the information and links ...

If you wait three months and still there is the incorrect testing done - what then ?

[Essexlil in reply to Marz]

Thank you I’ll have a look

[Marz in reply to Essexlil]

Did you have a look ? Was hubby re-tested ?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Essexlil]

Getting vitamin levels optimal will help improve symptoms