New to this

[Fleure]

Hi I have been feeling ill on and off for years I am type 2diabetic and have had quite a few TSH tests all around 4,100 so doctors say no problem finally had new test at 9.45 am last Thursday and results came back as 4,240 so over the 4,200 barrier

I have doctor appointment tomorrow and would appreciate any advice as I am just starting to learn about which tests and meds maybe applicable

[jimh111]

I assume your are from France or a similar country that uses a comma as a decimal point, so your TSH is 4.2 in UK terms and not four thousand two hundred! Measuring your free T3 and free T4 would be useful but I would focus on putting across your symptoms and asking for a trial of levothyroxine.

[Fleure in reply to jimh111]

Thanks for your help you are correct I am in France which makes it more difficult to get all of my symptoms accurately across to my doctor l will try to get him to trial me on levothyroxine.

[Treepie in reply to Fleure]

In the UK now GPs are waiting until TSH is 10 .This is not good at all. Have a look at the Thyroid UK web site for detailed information.

[Fleure in reply to Treepie]

Thanks will do

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just testing TSH 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

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies

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...

GP may be very reluctant to start levothyroxine.....UK guidelines are to wait until TSH is over 10 ....unless patient has high thyroid antibodies

Low vitamin levels frequently lower TSH. So it’s very important to regularly test vitamin levels and supplement to optimal if these are low

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_...

[Fleure in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks so much you’re saving me hours of befuddled internet searches for answers as you probably realise my mind is having trouble focusing at present thanks again l will post how l get on

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Fleure]

greygoose may be able to advise on how to approach a French GP

She may pop along

[Fleure in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks will check her out now

[greygoose in reply to Fleure]

Bit difficult to advise in a vacuum. I take it you've already had tests so did they only test the TSH? Did you tell the doctor you thought you were hypo?

[Fleure in reply to greygoose]

Sorry not very with it at present, my mother is hypo and I have had many of the symptoms for years but because the Tsh tests were always just below the upper limits they just said no it can’t be that.

l have only had the TSH test hence my need for more info on what tests are required.

I only got this test done as I told him I was still exhausted (after just recovering from inflammation of the pericardium and fluid buildup and angina).

The doctor l have at the moment is very helpful but I doubt that he knows much about it so I want to arm myself with as much information as possible before seeing him. I hope you can understand.

[greygoose in reply to Fleure]

So, what you want are:

TSH

FT4 - Thé quatre libre (sorry, don't know how much French you speak).

FT3 - Thé trois libre

TPO antibodies - anticorps

Tg antibodies

vitamin D

vitamin B12

folate

ferritin

Seems the symptom that impresses them most is losing your hair!

What are your exact TSH results and ranges?

[Fleure in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for that a great help,yes I do speak quite good french but my brain gets in a mess at the moment just can’t think straight, the last but one test of TSH was 4,100 reference value. 0.270 to 4,200 . As I said my latest is 4,240 so hopefully he will agree to medication

[greygoose in reply to Fleure]

OK, but you will have to stress your symptoms and how bad you feel. The average French GP doesn't know any more about thyroid than the average British GP - and some of them have some frankly weird ideas! So, you have to ease them along, and know what you're talking about. If they say no point in testing the FT3 - as some of them do - because they won't be able to interpret the results, just say that's ok, because you know.

[Fleure in reply to greygoose]

Thanks l will do my best to get the tests

[greygoose in reply to Fleure]

You're welcome.

Oh, and technically, you are hypo according to those two results. You're hypo when your TSH reaches 3.