I’m new to this forum, and glad that I have joined. I have lupus and was diagnosed with an under active thyroid in 2013. I was initially put on 50 mcg of levothroxine which did initially help some of my weight gain come off, but not with some of my other symptoms, feeling cold and very dry hair, so then put up to 75mcg, but still very dry hair and the past year, I have been noticing harder to keep my weight down. I eat very healthy and I definitely don’t overeat. I had my pineal gland checked a couple of years ago as my gp was slightly unsure of my results, but test results came back ok. My thyroid function test results from may last year were TSH-0.21 with a free T3 of 6.7 and free T4 of 12.0. My latest results while still on 75mcg were T4 and T3 are now both normal at 11.4 and 3.4 respectively with a TSH of 0.10. My rheumatologist sent me a copy of these results in a letter as I’ve moved down south. She has written to Endocrinology for advice as she is slightly unsure of what to make of these results. My apologies for long winded question. Can anyone offer any advice?
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Josiah150767
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I'm afraid we need the ranges for those results to make any sense of them. Ranges vary from lab to lab - sometimes, quite wildly!
Have you had your antibodies tested? Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies? If your results are swinging around you could have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - aka Autoimmune Thyroiditis.
Thankyou for reply. This unfortunately is the only information I have. I am looking to get private testing. I am due to see my rheumatologist so I’m going to enquire for more info.
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
Please add the ranges on TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 results
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 .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
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 as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many patients need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 is in top third of range and FT3 at least half way through range
NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.
I am going to get tested privately. I feel my gp isn’t much help. I thought it was due to lupus, but my consultant has never mentioned hashimotos. In letter from rheumatologist results also show that B12, folate and ferritin normal. I take vitamin D 1000iu as my vit D levels were low. I will ask my gp to test for vitamins and antibodies. Many thanks
To be honest I don’t have those, but I will find out. I am awaiting appointment with rheumatologist . When I was diagnosed I was prescribed Levothyroxine and pretty much left to get on with it. I will post my results when I get them. Thankyou for your help and knowledge.
Test results from Rheumatologist should include ranges ....See if you can find them
But you need to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing anyway
Make sure to get blood test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
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