Blood test results

[Mrsegg]

Hello, I am new here and was wondering if anyone can help me understand my blood test results please. Suppressed TSH and free T4 of 26.4pmol/L? Many thanks nikki

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Mrsegg

So that we can accurately interpret your results, please add the reference ranges as these vary from lab to lab.

Also, we need to know if you have a diagnosed thyroid condition and, if so, what thyroid meds are you taking?

[Mrsegg in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hello and thank you for replying so quickly. I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and currently take 15 mg of carbimazole. What are the reference ranges? Many thanks nikki

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Mrsegg]

The reference ranges come with your results. If you have had your results from your GP surgery then just ask the receptionist for a print out, the reference ranges will be on there next to the results. If the results are from the hospital and in a letter without the ranges, either ring the consultant's secretary or the Pathology lab.

Were Graves antibodies tested and came back positive? Graves antibodies are TSI and TRAb. If these were not tested they can't confirm Graves disease.

[Mrsegg in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you seaside susie I will chase those up

[greygoose]

Hi Mrsegg, welcome to the forum.

You'll get better answers if you give us all the numbers. 'Suppressed' is rather a vague term, and means different things to different people. So, for all results, you should give us the result and the range. For example:

TSH 0.04 (0.2 - 4.5)

That way, we'll better understand what's going on.

Also, can you tell us if you have any sort of diagnosis - hypo? Hyper? Have you had antibodies tested? Are you on any sort of medication for thyroid? The more information you can give, the more helpful the answers you'll get.

[Mrsegg in reply to greygoose]

Hello grey goose, my letter from the hospital just says suppressed. Not very helpful I am afraid

[greygoose in reply to Mrsegg]

No, it's not. But, if you are in the UK, you are entitled by law to a print-out of your results, with ranges. Ranges vary from lab to lab and therefore you need the ranges that went with your results.

How were you diagnosed with Grave's? Did they test your antibodies?

TRAB or TSI for Grave's

TPO antibodies and Tg antibodies for Hashi's

You should be tested for both.

Do you remember what your levels were when you were diagnosed? How long ago were you diagnosed?

[Mrsegg in reply to greygoose]

I realise I have been a bit remiss. When I was told at the hospital that I have Graves’ disease I just excepted it without asking questions. Now I realise how little I know

[greygoose in reply to Mrsegg]

Well, that's all perfectly normal. We expect doctors to know what they're doing. It always comes as such a shock when we realise that with thyroid, they absolutely don't.

When are you due to see your endo again? If I were you, I would raise the subject of antibodies with him/her.

[Mrsegg in reply to greygoose]

Thank you greygoose I will ask them next time

[greygoose in reply to Mrsegg]

You're welcome.

[Marz]

To be diagnosed with Graves - as mentioned on your Profile - I am wondering which anti-bodies were tested ?

[Mrsegg]

Sorry Marz I am not sure

[Marz in reply to Mrsegg]

Then you cannot be sure you have Graves and Carbimazole the correct treatment. We have seen cases here whereby members have been wrongly diagnosed.

Important to have anti- bodies tested as you may have Hashimotos - TPO & Tg being the antibodies to be tested.

MS is linked to low VitD - do you know your level? Also B12 - Folate - Ferritin results are important ...

[Mrsegg in reply to Marz]

I take 4,000 IU vitamin D daily and my levels are good I also take B12 1000ug I haven’t come across either Folate or Ferritin

[Marz in reply to Mrsegg]

VitD is fat soluble so best taken with a meal containing good fats. Gels containing olive oil overcome this. There are important co-factors to take with VitD - Magnesium and VitK2-MK7. Apologies if you know all this !

Folate is B9 and works with B12 in the body. Taking a good B Complex keeps all the B's in balance 🤔

[Mrsegg in reply to Marz]

Thank you so much Marz I really appreciate your advice

[Marz in reply to Mrsegg]

Are you in a position to have Private Testing done through Thyroid UK ? That way you can have all the correct testing done and include all the vitamins and minerals that are so important for Thyroid health.

Hope you don't mind me asking but how were you diagnosed with MS ? I read on your Bio that your MS treatment was the cause of your Graves ...

[Mrsegg in reply to Marz]

I was diagnosed with MS after my third relapse. I started a chemo based treatment a year later. The treatment is called Lemtrada. You have 5 days of chemo treatment and the idea is that it takes your immune system out and you build it back over a year and the you have three more days of chemo, zero your immune system again. That was 4 years ago I had the started the treatment. And about 2 years ago i was diagnosed with Graves Disease after my bloods, which I have done at the hospital, showed abnormalities. About 60 percent of people treated with Lemtrada are diagnosed with Graves’ disease

[Marz in reply to Mrsegg]

Oh dear - I had not heard of your treatment before. Sounds pretty tough for you.

The results you posted in your opening post - when were they done ? When you have Graves the FT3 should always be tested - sadly yours was not. Private Testing would give you that result ...

[Mrsegg in reply to Marz]

Its a very aggressive treatment but in the worst case it slows relapses down and in the best case it stops MS altogether so worth the risk I thought. The blood tests are done every month for five years so this one was two weeks ago

[Marz in reply to Mrsegg]

... but no FT3 - which is needed as it is the Active hormone and usually over range when HYPer. The T4 is a storage hormone and alone does not give you the complete picture.

[Mrsegg in reply to Marz]

I will check next time i see them. I really appreciate your knowledge. Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Research link about how and why they may be linked

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

MS medication and Graves

endocrineweb.com/news/thyro...

[Mrsegg in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon