Reaching out for support on initial steps. Diagnosed two years ago with little help.

[Tangalooma]

Me

Hi Everyone

Not sure how this site works yet..

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism two years ago. It was in and out at my GP’s and just a yearly blood test.

I feel incredibly fatigued, dry & itchy skin all over, weight gain and just no energy.

I am going to organise a blood test and would like advice of exactly the blood profile I should get done, so I rule out anything I maybe deficient.

I’m currently on 125mcg of levothyroxine.

I would appreciate any advice.

Thank you- new member and desperate for some help and advice.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine?

How long have you been on 125mcg levothyroxine?

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

Do you know if you have had thyroid antibodies tested?

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)

Is this how you do your tests?

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...

Add any results you have or come back with new post once you get results

[Tangalooma in reply to SlowDragon]

Good evening

Thank you for the message and for the details. I really appreciate it. I have my blood results back and will try and upload them.

Thank you for your advice.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Tangalooma

For a full picture it's best to get a thyroid and vitamin panel :

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

You are welcome to post your results on the forum for members to comment. When doing so, please include the reference ranges plus for Vit D and B12 also include the unit of measurement.

When having thyroid tests we advise:

*Blood draw no later than 9am

*Nothing to eat or drink except water before the blood draw

*Last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before the test. Take that day's dose after the blood draw.

If you take any supplements then the following also applies

*No B Complex or Biotin for 7 days before any blood test

*If testing iron/Ferritin no iron tablets for 7 days before the test

*Anything else take after the test on the day.