Hello,
As the title suggests I have a TSH level of 4.1 and normal T3 & T4. I am led to believe that in the UK this is considered normal (So my doctor’s say anyway) but in other parts of the world my TSH would be high. From memory my TSH was only 2.7 around 5 years ago so it seems a big jump!.
Has anyone in the UK successfully managed to gain some thyroid medication from their GP with a similar TSH?
Tom_7
We always need reference ranges when result are posted, ranges vary from lab to lab so we can't interpret them without the ranges.
Presumably TSH of 4.1 is within range? If so you have no chance of any GP diagnosing you here in the UK unless your FT4 was below range. Again, seeing your FT4 and FT3 results and ranges, rather than saying "normal" would be very helpful. If your FT4 is below range with a normal TSH then that points to Central Hypothyroidism where the fault lies with the pituitary or the hypothalamus rather than Primary Hypothyroidism which is where the thyroid fails.
Have you had thyroid antibodies tested? If these are positive with an over range TSH (but below 10) then you could be diagnosed and started on Levo.
Other than those examples, TSH has to reach 10 here in the UK for diagnosis.
Hello Susie,
I know the TSH range was 0.4-5.50
I am not too sure on the T3 &T4 ranges but they were FT3 4.6 & FT4 18.7
From the ranges we see here for FT4 and FT3, you wont be below range for either of them, whatever the range is. Plus, of course, your TSH is within range.
I'd be looking to get thyroid antibodies tested, your GP may be able to get TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies) tested which would be a start, but he wont be able to get Tg (Thyroglobulin antibodies) tested, I believe that's only done in secondary care.
You could always do a full thyroid/vitamin panel with one of our recommended private labs who offer home fingerprick or "arrange your own blood draw" tests. In normal circumstances they offer blood draw at clinics but this has been suspended for the moment.
Most popular here are:
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 bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk... (previously known as Thyroid Check Plus Eleven)
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.
If you decide to do one of these, be aware that the blood has to be posted the same day that you do the test to arrive at the lab the next day, so you'd need to look into the postal services offered. Standard first class post is being severely delayed at the moment, personal experience over the last week or so has shown both outgoing and incoming mail taking 5-7 days, so you'd need to look at Special Delivery Guaranteed Next Day offered by Royal Mail or maybe even consider a courier service. Of course, all this is extra cost.
Hi Susie,
Thank you for the advice 
I’ll check out the links you posted.
Make sure to get blood test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water for highest TSH
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin plus thyroid antibodies
Thanks for the advice!
Hi Tom_7
Those of us on here, who are on thyroid meds, pay almost NO attention to Numbers.
It's how we feel that's absolutely key!
So, we address our thyroid related symptoms by regular monitoring, via blood tests, every 6 weeks.
Then titrate our meds up or down to suit.
If not on any prescribed meds, we self source and treat.
So WHAT symptoms exactly are you hoping to address?
Thanks
ALps
Hey Alps, thanks for your comment!
My symptoms are largely based around my moods and energy levels.
Although I have been diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression, I’m not too sure if my thyroid could play a part in this. I have tried more medication to treat these symptoms than I can remember and not one has helped.
As previously mentioned, my energy levels are very low, nomatter how long I sleep for I constantly feel tired and sluggish.
I have noticed that I have some thin patches of hair (both on my scalp and on the side of my head). Maybe this symptom is something else entirely though especially as I’m in my mid 20’s.
Thanks
You're not converting T4 to T3 very well. Your T4 is still higher than mine and I'm on levo. If you don't have high antibodies look at nutrition. If it's a conversion problem are you getting enough selenium? Also vitamin A and D are required to get T3 into the cells and omega 3 is what makes it usable. Any deficiency of these could be causing you problems.
I do try to keep to a balanced diet and take multivitamins which should go some way at least to take care of nutritional deficiencies.
It may be worthwhile for me to test my antibodies.
Low TSH, normal T4 and T3
'normal' TSH and T4, low T3
normal TSH and T3 but Low T4
Elevated TSH, T4 low, T3 normal
