underactive thyroid

[nationwid]

I feel my thyroid is not getting better I am on 75 mg called the doctors to get appointment for blood test but getting worried my test will come back as being in a good place which I was told they were the last time I got my blood results back which was in January this year I feel am not getting any better been putting it of because of the covid 19 but just feel horrible just bobbing along do yous have any thoughts on this

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

nationwid

For anyone to have any thoughts they'd need to see some test results so sort out a new test then come back with the results, including reference ranges, and take it from there. Absolutely nothing helpful can be said without them.

The tests you need are:

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[fuchsia-pink]

Don't forget to get an early morning appointment and take your levo 24 hours beforehand. Then nothing except water until the blood test.

And ask for your results while you are there: I had to do it in writing last time. You don't want to be fobbed off with "in range" or "normal" - you want to see EXACTLY where in the range you are. 75 mcg is still a pretty low dose ..

Good luck

[nationwid in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Thanks will do

[greygoose]

I feel my thyroid is not getting better

Forgive me for being somewhat pedantic here, but did you really mean your thyroid? Or your thyroid status? Because your thyroid is not going to get better. Levo is not a treatment to restore your thyroid to good health, it is thyroid hormone replacement, replacing the hormone your thyroid can no-longer make enough of to keep you well - and will never ever be able to make enough of ever again.

Hopefully, you already knew that. But, just thought I'd mention it because doctors don't explain the point very well.

[nationwid in reply to greygoose]

yes that's what I meant to say sorry

[greygoose in reply to nationwid]

No problem. Just as long as you're clear on that point.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Frequently GP only test TSH which is completely inadequate

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

Do you have Hashimoto’s

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

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)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...