Hi, recently I've been suffering with all of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Weight gain, exhaustion, bloating, dry skin etc and I've had numerous blood tests. Most recent one came back fine -
Serum TSH level 3.26 parameters - (0.27 - 4.2)
I was wondering if it's worth pushing the GP to send me to an endocrinologist? As I know there's further tests that could show up a problem?
So far they just say I'm overweight and need to exercise more!!! It's so frustrating!!
Thank you x
No you need to get full thyroid blood tests done plus vitamins tested. Then you need to get copies of the actual figures plus the ranges (numbers in brackets after your result). We have learnt from experience that we need to be proactive to get the treatment we need.
The word normal for thyroid results covers a wide range. What we need is optimal - that is the normal that us best for us individually.
Tampabay
If you are in the UK even if your GP does a referral it will very likely be rejected by the endo. Primary hypothyroidism isn't diagnosed until TSH reaches 10. Whatever the range for your TSH is (always please include reference ranges when quoting results, they vary from lab to lab), yours will be in range and classed as normal so an endo wont see you.
But TSH alone is not good enough. You also need FT4 (preferably FT3 as well) and Thyroid antibodies. This is because the full panel will show other problems that a TSH alone wont show, eg autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) or Central Hypothyroidism (where the problem lies with the pituitary or the hypothalamus rather than the thyroid).
Thank you, can a GP do a full thyroid test as I had all my hormones tested and TSH. Or do I need to go private?
Sorry didn't include the parameters these are -
(0.27-4.2)
Tampabay
Thank you, can a GP do a full thyroid test as I had all my hormones tested and TSH. Or do I need to go private?
If you are in the UK then you may get FT4 (some areas don't include it), very unlikely to get FT3, unlikely to get thyroid antibodies unless the GP thinks there is a good enough reason to suggest this.
Generally we need a private test to cover everything, whether or not a GP will accept these, even though they are carried out by accredited labs, is the luck of the draw.
If you are in the UK then SlowDragon has given you links to the best tests, most popular here are Medichecks and Blue Horizon.
That's great, thank you x
Just testing TSH 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
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
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
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
Median TSH graph shows your levels are higher than typical
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
TSH daily variation
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Plus important when you test TSH ....
researchgate.net/publicatio...
“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”
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/252...
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.
What has the vitamins got to do with thyroid testing?
Yolzyyy
Having Hypothyroidism can cause low nutrient levels, often caused by low stomach acid so this affects absorption of nutrients. Nutrient levels need to be optimal for thyroid hormone to work properly.
low B12, folate, ferritin and Vitamin D are all extremely common when hypothyroid
Stomach needs high acidity to break foods down and absorb nutrients
Low stomach acid can be a very common. issue
articles.mercola.com/sites/...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...
naturalendocrinesolutions.c...
How to test stomach acid
Thank you so much, I didn't know a GP can test more than TSH they kind of said that's normal and that's it even with me persisting I have symptoms.
I will ask for an antibody test and vitamins thank you x
Good news doctor has agreed to further tests, she said 'I don't think it will be helpful' but I'm just grateful she's agreed!!! Thank you all for your help x
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