Thyroid blood tests to be repeated LOW TSH

[Gg4l]

Hi their, I have recently had a thyroid blood test

Results were my tsh was LOW and my t3 and t4 came back as normal, doctor wants to repeat this test in a few weeks time, i was wondering if anybody knew what this meant?

I have aches and pains upper back, shoulder knees, fatigue.

Also if being refferred to neurologist and a chest clinic, i was wondering if my thyroid test is relevant to any of this,as it has always normally came back normal, thankyou for your time xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

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.

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

Low vitamin D can cause joint pain

Low iron or ferritin can cause chest pain

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 .

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 or vitamins

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 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_...

[Gg4l in reply to SlowDragon]

Ok thankyou I will request copies of my bloods, I do also know my vit d ferritin and b12 is all normal, and slightly red cells only slightly low

Thankyou for your reply

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gg4l]

Normal is only an opinion...often doesn’t mean optimal

For example NHS only obliged to treat if deficient....

So if vitamin D under 50nmol GP should prescribe to improve

If Vitamin D is under 75nmol they should advise self supplementing to improve to over 75nmol....but rarely do

Government recommends everyone supplement October to April

gov.uk/government/news/phe-...

Always get actual results and ranges on all tests

Four vitamins need testing linked to thyroid are

Folate, ferritin, B12 and vitamin D

Important to test both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies

[Marz in reply to Gg4l]

So did you obtain the copies of your results ? It makes for better posting so members are not guessing 🤔

[Muffy]

Can you remember what time blood was drawn for your test? TSH is at its highest first thing in the morning, so best to have blood test as early as possible.

[Gg4l in reply to Muffy]

It was around 1 :30 PM

[Muffy in reply to Gg4l]

It would probably be considerably higher early morning, Worth having your next test at 8am ish.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Antidepressants frequently lower TSH