Hi all! My TSH levels were slightly raised in January and was told it was subclinical due to my T4 levels being normal and TSH being below 10.
When I look at symptoms of hypothyroidism I resonate with them, but I am aware of the fact that they are very broad!
Any advice on subclinical would be great and whether you are aware as to whether it can cause symptoms!
First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
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 .
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 as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin
medichecks.com/products/thy...
Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays
Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.
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_...
It absolutely can cause symptoms, yes! But, then again, subclinical hypo is doctor-manufactured. Well, UK doctors, anyway. You're actually hypo when your TSH gets to 3, this under 10 business only exists in the UK and Canada. In other countries you'd get diagnosed and treated when your TSH goes over 3. So, ask yourself: can you be subclinically pregnant? No. The same goes for hypo: either you are or you aren't.
Why is this so? My guess is it's all to do with money - most things are. The way the NHS is organised, it costs surgeries money to diagnose hypo, what with free prescription, and the patient no-longer needing the money-making drugs like statins, and antidepressants.
But, if you want an opinion on your thyroid status, it would be better if you posted the actual results, with the ranges.
Thank you for your responses! In January my TSH was 7.67 mu/L (range 0.30-4.20) and T4 was 14.3 pmol/L (range 11.0-22.0). Thanks again, lots of conflicting info online so very confusing!
Ask GP to retest thyroid levels including thyroid antibodies and all four vitamins
Make sure to get tested early morning
Median TSH graph shows average TSH is 1-1.5
I would feel dreadful with a TSH that high and free T4 that low ....
I would want to be prescribed levo to make me better.
I accept your TSH is less than 10 but it is over range - and as greygoose says, in most countries you would now be being treated. You might legitimately ask your doctor what he point is of having a euthyroid range for TSH with an outer limit of 4.20 if they won't treat you when your own result is significantly higher than the top of the range.
Good luck x
I would hardly call that range 'euthyroid', anyway. I wouldn't want my TSH at 4.2. 
Agreed 
Thank you all, this is all really helpful. I spoke with my GP today and they were apprehensive about doing bloods again so felt a bit daft requesting them!
Sadly, gracer1, you have to push and I have annoyed many a GP at my surgery. I couldn’t function and felt so ill. You have to pester, I’m afraid. Don’t feel bad- this is your health! Keep us posted 👍 and of over range TSH- emphasise your symptoms as ask for a trial of Levo. If you say the word ‘trial’, this might help🤷🏼♀️
In Jan 2018, my tsh was 5 ish. In oct 2018 , It was 4.75.In Jan 2019, my tsh was 5.47. T4 was normal. T3 was not tested. I politely asked my doctor for the trial of levo and she happily agreed to start with 25mcg 5 days a week. With in 6 weeks, my tsh dropped to less than 2 and my symptoms got better. But the only downside is, My periods which were regular before became so irregular . Levo definitely messed up my periods.
Please pursue this - with the benefit of sound advice on here, do something - otherwise the outcome may worsen. This is what can all too often happen. Do whatever it takes. xox
I have had a thyroidectomy 10 years ago and only feel ok with TSH under 1, please chase this with your GP as this needs medicating as you must have felt so unwell.
Because this reply is a month late, hopefully you have done this already and are beginning to feel a little better. I wish you well x
My tsh was6. 70 for 3 years,I take vit d, vitb, magnesium, selenium, for me works... I read it on one study and now I have tsh 3.3 without drags. (I never take drags)
Hi Gracer1. Your numbers mirror my own, and I was prescribed 25mcg Levothyroxine back in October 2017 due to symptoms of low mood, feeling cold etc. I felt great within a few days of starting, but 3 months later my blood test results were TSH 5.1, and meds were increased to 50mcg as, technically, I was still out of range. Within 4 weeks I felt terrible, palpitations, anxiety, my inner organs vibrating (yep, sounds weird), TSH was near zero, so I stopped taking it completely. Had a blood test 4 weeks later and TSH was 20! (Could this be due to my Thyroid function being temporarily suppressed by the overmedication?? Left alone would it recover??) Straight back on 25mcg, stabilised at 37.5mcg, feeling ok, but TSH still out of limits at 4.9. I question the combination of recommended limits of TSH based on the general population, and the vague symptoms that overlap with many other conditions in order to diagnose hypothyroidism. Could my low mood and feeling the cold be due to SAD and winter? Then taking a pill offers a placebo effect and tricks me into feeling different? The only physical change I’ve noticed after being on meds is the regrowth of the outer edges of my eyebrows. I’m now reducing Thyroxine 37.5mcg to 25mcg, heading for zero over the next 6 months to see what happens....
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