I had my thyroid levels taken in May (I had a full blood count) and the levels showed the following:
FT4 11 (range is 12-22pmol/L)
TSH 6.25 (range is 0.27-4.20mlU/L)
I have and still have symptoms of hypothyroidism.
I have been retested (yesterday) and I received my results today. The doctor said the following:
FT4 13.6
TSH 4.52
(both ranges are the same)
They have said that I am feeling rough due to low iron which has come back worse than it did in May so I need to increase the mg in iron supplements.
I am not taking any thyroid medication. My Mum and Gran both have hypothyroidism. Could anyone help as to why my results have changed and possibly improved? I am frustrated because I was hoping this would come back as no improvement and they would put me on thyroid medication.
Thank you 😊
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confusedkm
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no, so the one I had done in May was in the afternoon and the recent one was done in the morning! they tested ferritin only which was 25 & they’ve just recommend iron supplements which are 200mg! I haven’t started B12 or B Complex 😊
As suggested by greygoose - test early in the morning and fasting. Also ask for anti-bodies to be tested - Anti-TPO.
Are you taking VitC to aid absorption of Iron. It was mentioned in an earlier post of yours that a B Complex would help raise your B12 and Folate. Ferritin would be good around 70 - so you have a way to go.
That’s why I am so confused- the results were better (lower) when I had the blood test taken in the morning after fasting, doesn’t make any sense! I am not currently taking any vitamins but the doctor wants me to take 200mg of iron. I explained that I am feeling rubbish all the time and they said it’s not to do with my thyroid and it’s just because I’m low in iron. So now it has left me unsure whether my thyroid is a problem or not. Thank you for your help 😊
Have you ever had your antibodies tested? If they are high - meaning that you have Hashi's - then that would account for levels jumping around. But, you do need to always do your blood draw at the same time of day, if you want to be able to compare your results.
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
Likely it’s autoimmune as your Mum and Grán are both hypothyroid
Ask GP to test vitamin D 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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.
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