Basic Thyroid Blood Tests

[Sickntired77]

Good evening all.

My GP referred me for some basic blood tests and the results came back today.

Serum Free T4 level = 12.1 pmol/L

Serum TSH = 1.46 mIU/L

I am experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism but am struggling to get an explanation of my results. I have not ever been diagnosed with a thyroid problem and would just like some advice about what my result means.

Thanks 😊

[shaws Administrator]

If you can add in the ranges of your results it will be helpful. Labs use different machines and therefore ranges can differ.

To edit, press the down arrow next to 'more' and add them.

Looking at your TSH result, I wouldn't think you are hypothyroid as the TSH rises if we're having a problem with the thyroid gland.

Thank you.

[Sickntired77 in reply to shaws]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have uploaded a photo of my full results. I hope it is viewable.

[Ansteynomad in reply to Sickntired77]

I had results like yours for years and was so I’ll. Turns out I most likely have pituitary damage following two serious bouts of glandular fever. Thyroid hormone replacement has been life changing. I would venture to suggest that you too have some form of secondary hypothyroidism. Perhaps read up on this before you see the doc again.

Your B12, folate and ferritin are shockingly low, so that won’t help the way you feel. I had this as well, plus a serious vitamin D deficiency. Sorting all that out with supplements was really helpful.

Good luck.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Sickntired77]

Yes, they are viewable but there are several things that jumped out

I am going to add in another couple of Admins who're more knowledgeable than I am. SeasideSusie SlowDragon

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Some of your vitamin levels are EXTREMELY Low

Folate just within range, but too low

Ferritin is extremely low.

Are you vegetarian or vegan?

GP should be running full iron panel test for anaemia

Ft4 is very low.

You need Ft3 and thyroid antibodies tested, plus vitamin D too

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

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)

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 vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

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...

Come back with new post once you get full results

[SlowDragon Administrator]

High cholesterol is linked to being hypothyroid and will improve once thyroid is treated

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.