Test results

[Diamond1955]

Hi Everyone. Long time since I posted anything but here goes. Went for my annual Thyroid and Diabetes blood test 3 weeks ago, Diabetes test due to having Vitiligo so can suddenly rear it's head). Phoned for results and was told all good except cholesterol at 5.5 from 5.2 in July, so phone appt with GP. Had phone appt where she just wanted me to go on statins but I don't do tablets unless I really have to. I asked what the Thyroid result was as there could be a connection but she said there was no Thyroid result!!! The nurse had omitted to do the test. I asked why but couldn't get a decent reason except I had one done in July. I explained this was due to feeling so poorly but I still needed my annual check. Eventually I got her to agree to me having another test. Just got the results from a receptionist, that really pees me off as you can't ask questions, and told all in normal range. I asked what the actual result was and my TSH is 0.92.

I am taking 100/75 mg alternate days of Levothyroxine.

Looking at the "normal" range, yes, I fall within but it would seem to me that I am very close to going from Hypo to Hyper. Would this be reflected in the cholesterol results or could it be related please? Any one know?

Have now looked at reducing as much saturated fat as possible from my diet but don't really think I had that much in my diet to start with.

[Diamond1955]

All I got told is that I need to be tested in 3 months to check cholesterol once I try reducing it by change of diet.

I will try to get those from them now but I'm not holding my breath in finding anyone helpful enough!

Will update once I have some success - wishful thinking possibly!

[Diamond1955]

Hi again. Just got the results:

Triglycerides - 1.1

HDL - 1.6

LDL 3.6

HbA1c - 36

TSH - 0.92

Double Dutch to me

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

Presumably you have Hashimoto’s?

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested?

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking.

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)

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

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...

Come back with new post once you get results

[greygoose]

Looking at the "normal" range, yes, I fall within but it would seem to me that I am very close to going from Hypo to Hyper.

No, it doesn't seem like that at all. You cannot tell anything from just a TSH result. TSH is supposed to be under 1 when you're taking thyroid hormone replacement, but that doesn't always mean that your FT4/3 are good. And, if you're hypo, and can't go hyper, it's a physical impossibility. You can be over-medicated, but you won't know that unless you have your FT3 tested. Plus it doesn't seem very likely on your small dose.

Plus, high cholesterol is linked to low T3. (Thinks: is this one of the reasons they don't test FT3, so that they can prescribe more statins?) Cholesterol levels have nothing to do with diet. Cholesterol is made in the liver. When your T3 is low, the body cannot process cholesterol correctly, and it builds up in the blood. But, it doesn't cause heart attacks or strokes, that is a myth.

I would strongly advise you to refuse statins, which are not recommended for women or hypos, and get full thyroid testing done:

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

Tg antibodies

vit D

vit B12

folate

ferritin

That will give you a far better picture of your thyroid status than just a TSH and cholesterol test.

[Bbbd]

It is my understanding that cholesteral triglycerides all will go up with thyroid issues...i have been dealing with underactive thyroid since the late 90 s