TSH levels

[Hammyfish1]

Can someone briefly suggest what the regime could possibly be in order to get the TSH up from 0.005; assuming free T4 was 9.9.

[Angel_of_the_North]

If there was such a thing, I suspect installing an artificial bionic programmable pituitary gland would be the only way. What are the ranges and what is your FT3 result

[Hammyfish1 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

OMG is it that bad? I don’t know other results, I have just requested copies of my blood results and I will pick them up this afternoon.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Hammyfish1]

That was a joke! We can't influence TSH in any predictable way and it is not really important. What is needed is the right level of thyroid hormones to feel well. TSH is not produced by the thyroid, but the pituitary gland.

[Hammyfish1 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

No worries, it’s all new to me and I feel so out of control not knowing even what my GP is aiming for. I can’t understand why the TSH is important if the thyroid is producing thyroxin.

[Tina_Maria]

I don't think the previous reply was meant to scare you!

We would need your full test results including reference ranges in order to make an informed comment.

In general, if your TSH has been suppressed but your free T4 and freeT3 values are not above range, a reduction of medication based on TSH alone is not recommended. Some people need their TSH suppressed and some even need their freeT4 above the range in order to feel well. As long as the free T3 are within the range, this should not cause problems.

[Hammyfish1 in reply to Tina_Maria]

Thanks, I’ll post them as soon as I get them.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you had Hashimoto’s confirmed

First post was talking about Graves’ disease

You need TPO and TG antibodies tested for Hashimoto’s

TSI or Trab antibodies for Graves’ disease

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Hammyfish1 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have had Hashimotos confirmed by Gp with antibody test but I wanted to post the result here so that it could be verified as I’m think my GP may have mixed up the disease names. Anyway I’m still on carbimazole but supposedly have Hashimotos. I’m so confused. Also I don’t want to continue with carbimazole because my heart rate is 53 and I’m cold and tired but my GP didn’t seem concerned with that and said I was still overactive and needed to stay on carbimazole. I don’t feel informed at all.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hammyfish1]

Then it’s absolutely essential to get further testing and perhaps referral to endocrinologist

Are you in the UK?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested for Hashimoto’s .

Private testing for suspected Graves - TSI or TRab antibodies Here

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

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) or Graves’ disease diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

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 .

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 TPO or TG antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease). (you can have mildly raises TPO or TG antibodies with Graves’ disease

Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid phase

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's or Graves diseased

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_...

[Hammyfish1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slow Dragon, I have posted my blood results, if you have time can you tell me what you think, thanks