Thyroid blood test results

[Delanna]

Hi all hope you are well. I have stopped taking my meds for about a year and 4 months. I have taken my meds since 2013.

I recently did a blood test and my blood test revealed my thyroid levels were stable. I am actually worried because I have gained weight and feel like I am still hypothyroid despite the results.

Anyone in similiar situation?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Delanna

Why did you stop taking your thyroid meds?

Can you post your test results and include the reference ranges as these vary from lab to lab.

Do you have Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid disease) which would be indicated by raised Thyroid antibodies?

[Delanna in reply to SeasideSusie]

I was told maybe I do not require it and to be frank I really don't want to take any additional medicine if I do not need it. Don't get me wrong I strongly believe you need medication when you actually do need it. But surprisingly it turns out my test result are ok however I forgot to mention they did find nodules on the scan but nothing fishy

I will post my results soon

[greygoose]

I recently did a blood test and my blood test revealed my thyroid levels were stable.

What is your definition of 'stable'? The main question is: are they optimal. If you're gaining weight and have other symptoms, my guess is that they aren't.

[Delanna in reply to greygoose]

As in my thyroid results are in normal reference range hence I do not need to be medicated as per instructions.

But to be honest I feel so awful.

[greygoose in reply to Delanna]

As you haven't posted your results, I can't comment. But, if you feel awful, your probably do need to be medicated. I'm afraid you cannot always trust your doctors opinions and interpretations of your results.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine were you taking?

[Delanna in reply to SlowDragon]

100 mg.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Delanna]

100mcg may not have been enough

Stopping levothyroxine is likely to make you extremely unwell

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results from when on 100mcg?

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.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

Far too often only a TSH is tested which is completely inadequate

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

Vitamin levels are likely to have dropped dramatically since you stopped levothyroxine

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...

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_...

Private testing for suspected Graves - TSI or TRab antibodies

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

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.

Typically dose is 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight.

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

BMJ clear on dose required

bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m41

[TSH110]

Thyroid nodules could well be fishy!

Find out more about them here and how more enlightened countries treat them:

thyroidpatients.ca/2020/02/...

[Delanna in reply to TSH110]

Thanks for the link it was very interesting and good to know

[TSH110 in reply to Delanna]

Dr Tania Smith does very good articles there, on matters pertaining to thyroid disease, some are quite hard to get, some are easier, but all are worth reading.