Test results

[WhitmoreSJ]

Posted a couple of weeks back but have now got my results. Was diagnosed 20 years ago with an under active thyroid, I was taking levothyroxine 100 a day with Liothyronine 25 every other day. I have always felt really well and never had any problems. Last year the doctors stopped my liothyronine. Not been feeling great so doctors started me on HRT picked up for a few months now feeling so Poorly struggling to get through each day.

Over the years my Tsh has always been between 0.5 and 1 I’m not sure what my other results have been as not needed as never been a problem.

Blood results June 2020

Tsh 3.2 - 0.4 - 4

T4 23.3. 19 - 26

T3 4. 2.8 - 7.8

Apparently the doctor is happy with all my vitamin levels but don’t have them to hand.

I did take my thyroid medication a couple of hours before my blood test as I didn’t realise not to.

My doctor is saying she won’t refer me as my levels are in range. I have never felt so unwell, starting to worry it’s not my thyroid!

Please help😩

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First step is to get hold of actual vitamin results

Your Ft3 is low

It’s common for conversion of Ft4 to Ft3 to get worse over time, especially if vitamins are low

When T3 was stopped vitamin levels frequently crash right down. Vitamins being within range is not the same as being OPTIMAL levels

When you were on T3, it’s absolutely essential to take EXACTLY same dose every day. You can’t vary T3 dose

[WhitmoreSJ in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the reply I also have a very husky voice and am starting to have neck discomfort and chest pain. Could this be a thyroid symptom?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to WhitmoreSJ]

Yes

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom...

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

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)

List of private testing options

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin (doesn’t include folate)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

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...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

[Marz]

You really do need to know the actual results with ranges for B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD. Docs are usually happy when they are in range - it is where you are in the range that is the key to wellness.

If any are low they can be the cause of fatigue.

Your FT4 is high due to taking your T4 close to the test. Do you have Hashimotos ?

[WhitmoreSJ in reply to Marz]

Yes for the last 20 years

[Marz in reply to WhitmoreSJ]

I presume that is yes to Hashi's. Are you taking vits and minerals ? Any other meds ?