Thyroid test results deemed okay but look borderline to me
I am new to this forum and whole thyroid issue so just trying to find information on the condition and if I have . My mother and both sisters have it so I had presumed it was likely I would suffer from it to
Serum TSH level 5.03 mU/L(0.40- 5.00) “high”
Free T4 level 12.5 pmol/L (9.0 - 19)
Also I’ve regularly taken kelp and couple other supplements though I stopped for a week or 2 before test but I wonder if they mask my thyroid problem
Samsar
Can you please add the reference ranges for your results, ranges vary from lab to lab so we need your lab's ranges to interpret your results. If you have a print out of your results then the ranges should be at the side, maybe in brackets. I would say your TSH is over range but can comment on FT4 as those ranges vary considerably.
Also, unfortunately taking kelp is not a good idea as it is Iodine. Many years ago Iodine used to be used to treat overactive thyroid (not the radioactive iodine currently used) so it can make hypothyroidism worse, even cause it.
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
With strong family link to hypothyroidism, it’s likely to be autoimmune
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
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_...
Kelp and iodine can make hashimoto’s much worse
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...
drknews.com/iodine-and-hash...
Come back with new post once you get vitamin and antibodies test results and ranges
Samsar
Obviously your TSH is over range, and in some countries you would be diagnosed hypothyroid when it reaches 3. However, your FT4 is 35% through range. If your FT4 was at the bottom of the range, or below, you may have had a chance of a diagnosis and a prescription for Levo.
If I were you, I'd follow SlowDragon 's advice and get full thyroid/vitamin testing with either of the two bundles she has suggested, i.e.
Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT medichecks.com/thyroid-func...
You can use code THYROIDUK for a 10% discount on any test not on special offer
or Blue Horizon Thyroid PREMIUM GOLD (previously known as Thyroid Plus Eleven) bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk... Both tests include the full thyroid and vitamin panel. They are basically the same test but with the following small differences: For the fingerprick test: Blue Horizon requires 1 x microtainer of blood (0.8ml), Medichecks requires 2 x microtainers (total 1.6ml) Blue Horizon includes Total T4 (can be useful but not essential). Medichecks doesn't include this test. B12 - Blue Horizon does Total B12 which measures bound and unbound (active) B12 but doesn't give a separate result for each. Medichecks does Active B12. Total B12 shows the total B12 in the blood. Active B12 shows what's available to be taken up by the cells. You can have a reasonable level of Total B12 but a poor level of Active B12. (Personally, I would go for the Active B12 test.)
Blue Horizon include magnesium but this is an unreliable test so don't let this sway your decision, it also tests cortisol but that's a random cortisol test and to make any sense of it you'd need to do it fasting before 9am I believe.
When doing thyroid tests, we advise:
* Book the first appointment of the morning, or with private tests at home no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If we are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction then we need TSH to be as high as possible.
* Fast overnight - have your evening meal/supper as normal the night before but delay breakfast on the day of the test and drink water only until after the blood draw. Eating may lower TSH, caffeine containing drinks affect TSH.
[* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.]
* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (most labs use biotin). No need to stop any other vitamins except if you are taking iron then also leave that off for 7 days. Anything else just take after the blood draw on the day, not before.
These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.
Thank you for the information - I’m very ignorant about this whole issue and this forum is really helpful
Suggest you wait 6-8 weeks after stopping kelp for levels to settle
Many thanks - I’m very ignorant about this whole issue and felt very uncomfortable asking for a copy of the results
Just asking receptionist. Blood test results belong to you, you don’t have to give any reason what so ever as to why you want them
Long term, look at getting online access to your medical records. Government are promoting this, but many GP surgeries don’t have test results online ...yet
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