I have suffered with tiredness since i was 16. Ive been diagnosed with Fibro even though i highlighted to the consultant that my issue was fatigue. I have gained ALOT of weight, hair falling out and other symptoms. My bloods were always normal apart from on/off high WBC which always rectified itself eventually. I have been ill with some bug or another for about 3 years now. My blood test a month ago showed low T4 and elevated crp. I am having another blood test tomorrow. Any advice please? should i be pushing for any furtherdifferent tests? I was considering having a private thyroid test
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Sleepy101
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You may well have an under-active thyroid, given your symptoms. Assume you're not currently on thyroid meds. So a blood test will be sensible. Unfortunately, most GPs only look at TSH initially - and will want this way over-range before they give you thyroid medication, but for peace of mind you may want to do full private testing - that's TSH, free T4, free T3, thyroid antibodies and key nutrients - ferritin, folate and vit D and B12.
You will see lots of posts here about private blood testing - there are some discounts available on the Thyroid UK site and Medichecks usually have a discount on a Thursday. SeasideSusie often replies to posts on how to do a finger-prick test at home, so click on her name and look at some of her replies to people.
If you are new to thyroid issues and terminology, I suggest you have a good rootle around the Thyroid UK website, and look at helvella 's excellent glossary - pinned on the right.
I have often wondered if I have Thyroid issue as I have a lot of symptoms but this is the first time that an issue has shown up in a blood test. I am worried that if it shows as normal by GP test that I might have an issue and it not showing in regular test so would go untreated. I will look into private and hopefully I can afford it.
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
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)
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
“According to the current TSH reference interval, hypothyroidism was not diagnosed in about 50% of the cases in the afternoon.”
“Further analysis demonstrated inadequate compensation of hypothyroidism, which was defined in 45.5% of the morning samples and in 9% of the afternoon samples”
TSH levels showed a statistically significant decline postprandially in comparison to fasting values. This may have clinical implications in the diagnosis and management of hypothyroidism, especially SCH.
Thank you Slowdragon 😊 this is great. I think it is a shame that people have to be so clued up to then make sure they get tested the right way but I'm trying to research as I am convince thyroid is the issue.
Familiarise yourself with what SlowDragon has shared - it’s a great comprehensive starter info.
I don’t know in what country you are, some don’t test T3, but as a minimum you should be tested for TSH and FT4 as well as thyroid antibiotics to determine whether you suffer from autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s.
Additionally, with your symptoms you should also be checked for iron, vitamin D and B12 at least.
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