I have had my first set of blood tests after diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. Really pleased all was normal, but Im still feeling tired after any physical exertion over an hour or so. Is this normal? Does anyone else find their stamina is affected despite taking the medication as prescribed?
Feeling Tired...: I have had my first set of... - Thyroid UK
Feeling Tired...
Written by
Chicadee16
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
23 Replies
•
It's not about just taking the medication as prescribed. It's about taking the right amount. When a doctor says 'normal', all he means is 'in-range'. But, 'in-range' isn't always good enough, because the ranges are so wide. You need the actual numbers: results and ranges. Ask at reception for a print-out. If you live in the UK, it's your legal right to have one.
How much levo are you taking? You're more than likely under-medicated if you've just started out.
My TSH level was TSH level 0.56 mu/L
I will ask for a print out although I wont understand it!
Im on 100mg
Another question I have: do the GP's automatically recall you for a yearly test or do you have to ask for it?
You don't have to understand it, you've got us! We understand it. lol
If all your doctor is testing is the TSH, then that is totally inadequate. It only tells you about ond fifth of the story.
Your TSH, there, looks fine. But TSH is not a thyroid hormone, it is a chemical messenger between the thyroid and the pituitary. It does not tell you the levels of your thyroid hormones - your T4 and T3 could still be too low.
100 mcg is not a large dose. It's not much more than a starter dose. Were you started on 100 mcg? Or did you work up to it?
I'm afraid I don't know if GPs in the UK recall you automatically, I don't live there. But, from what I've read on here, some do and some don't.
Many thanks for your help. I was started on 100mg. Have been taking it for 3 months only. So I should ask for T4 and T3 and vitamins and antibodies to be tested, is that correct?
It should have been retested six weeks after starting on it. That's how long the body takes to process it. So, yes, you do need all those tests done, but if you're in the UK, I doubt you'd get them all done on the NHS.
It was tested after 8 weeks but only blood sugar, cholesterol and TSH.
Ive read before that the NHS wont test routinely but I will ask!
Was the cholesterol high? If so, your FT3 is more than likely low.
Heres my cholesterol report:
Serum lipid levels
Serum cholesterol level 6.7 mmol/L [3.1 - 6.5]
Above high reference limit
Serum LDL cholesterol level 4.5 mmol/L
Serum HDL cholesterol level 1.31 mmol/L [1.1 - 1.8]
Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio 5.1
Serum triglyceride levels 2.0 mmol/L [0.2 - 2.0]
Non-HDL Cholesterol 5.39 mmol/L
Hardly worth worrying about. I hope your doctor didn't want to put you on statins!
Whats Ft3?
No statins! Sorry I think I know that Ft 3 is T3?
T3 is the hormone, FT3 is the blood test.
There are two blood tests for T3: FT3 and TT3. FT3 is the most important. 
Many thanks for clarity x
You're welcome.
SlowDragonAdministrator
How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?
Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine
How long have you been on this dose
Standard starter dose of levothyroxine is 50mcg and dose is typically increased slowly upwards in 25mcg steps
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase
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
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Do you have Hashimoto’s?
Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies if not been tested yet
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)
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 vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)
medichecks.com/products/thy...
Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test
Thriva also offer just vitamin testing
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...
Can you add the actual results and ranges of recent tests
Im on 100mg, always the same make. Dont know what Type of thyroidism I have...the Go didn't tell me, or doesn't know.
What will thyroid antibodies test tell me?
Here are the only result figures I have
TSH level 0.56 mu/L
How long have you been on 100mcg
When were levels last tested?
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
Link re access
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
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 if these haven’t been tested yet
Come back with new post once you get full thyroid results and vitamin results
Ive been on 100gm since July 14/2020 Ive only just been diagnosed.
I didnt realise that 90% of people have Hashimoto's!
I do have online access to my blood tests, and it says:
TSH level 0.56 mu/L....before I started the drugs it was 75
They also tested for cholesterol and blood sugar which are both normal.
No other tests were done.
Will the GP know from these tests if I have Hashimotos?
No, not unless they tested
TSH of 75 was high
Ask that they test vitamins and thyroid antibodies
Ask for ultrasound scan of thyroid too
Many thanks xx
20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies
paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...
On plus side ....seems patients who get diagnosed with high TSH often make good recovery, easier than those who’s TSH doesn’t react so well
Can you tell me what the high levels of TSH signify pls, to your understanding?
TSH is the message from pituitary telling thyroid to increase output of thyroid hormones
Your TSH response is working well
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
You need TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested together,....testing as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Is this how you did most recent test
Also need both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and vitamins tested
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Feeling so tired and not listened to!
years and still feeling super tired and struggling to lose weight. My antibodies are still high...
Calf's feel heavy & tired
underactive thyroid I've had my bloods
Done all come back within normal
Range I saw that.
I have...
FED UP FEELING TIRED.
For last approx 2 years I have been losing energy after very little activity and feel constantly...
Feeling anxious and tired
Liver and renal function normal
I am on 100micro levothyroxine
Originally diagnosed with Graves 11...
Tired of feeling like this 😞
meds, I am 47 now and was told a few years ago after blood work that my thyroid is under active and...
Feeling down and tired all the time
Feeling tired
Feeling tired
Is it normal to feel tired at first reducing NDT?
Here we go again, feeling tired.
