Low FT4 but labs say normal : Have hair Loss... - Thyroid UK

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Low FT4 but labs say normal

Kittykate288a profile image
10 Replies

Have hair Loss (alopecia areata) , weight gain, suffer from the cold alot. Tsh normal at 1.75, FT4 was 9pmol but they classed it as normal at the lab was 7pmol. On this site it says 10pmol. My T3 was also normal at 5.1 pmol. My GP isn't great at picking up on abnormal tests at the best of times (I constantly have abnormally high RBC but they ignore it). They wouldn't teat my antibodies as none of my other results showed as abnormal. My nan had her thyroid removed due to illness so it runs in the family to some degree.

I already have a couple of autoimmune illnesses but they appear to be in check.

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Kittykate288a
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jrbarnes profile image
jrbarnes

Ask for a trial of Levothyroxine. Lay out your symptoms. You have clear proof that your T4 levels have been steadily decreasing. I had to do the same with my lab results and the Doctor. Being on the low end of the reference range when it comes to thyroid is not "normal." Don't waste time waiting for them to notice because they won't until you end up with a goiter or in the emergency.

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw

What is your TSH? “Normal” is often just an opinion, we find...

Kittykate288a profile image
Kittykate288a in reply toJazzw

It was 1.75 in March. My T3 was tested too and was 5.1 :)

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw

Oh, and lab ranges are peculiar to the testing assay—there’s not a standard range. So you can’t read anything into what this site might say is a typical lab ref range. The only range that counts is the one your lab uses.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

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

Have you had thyroid antibodies or vitamins tested

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 .

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.co/tests/thyroid-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...

Kittykate288a profile image
Kittykate288a in reply toSlowDragon

This is great. Thank you. I don't think it was a morning appt but it was back in March now. They (the lab) refused to test my antibodies as they said my other levels would be out of whack if I had any issues there. The doctor did request it but they point blank wouldn't do it.

I might look into having full bloods done for everything given my history. I just don't feel like the doctors take me seriously.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toKittykate288a

Request full test via GP, asMarch is long time ago

Politely insist that vitamins and antibodies are tested

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

What is the TSH result and ranges?

Hashihouseman profile image
Hashihouseman

Ok so the lab range is not normal healthy range it’s the range the lab has tested over so results can be compared across different labs. Any doctor confusing that is an arse. Normal modal healthy range is very narrow in comparison and whatever is right for you is likely to be very specific and somewhere near the most common for your peer group e.g 14-16. If your lab tests between 7-20 instead of another lab range of 11-22 your level may be in range in that lab too but it still won’t be healthy for you! You could get a test from another lab to investigate that aspect. But no one should diagnose on t4 alone irrespective of symptoms and free t3 and tsh, which should all be taken together. If you feel cold and have slow metabolism you almost certainly need more t4 and probably a little t3. Ask for this on a trial basis then after 6-8 weeks check ALL thyroid blood levels keep a symptom diary and you will have the evidence you need. The doctors are there to empower not disenfranchise you. Perhaps they need reminding of that. If they deny you complain to PALS.

123littlebunnies profile image
123littlebunnies

That was my experience for a few years. Then I had a recent blood test to check my iron levels and was found with significantly high TSH levels, diagnosed with hypothyroidism and now on levothyroxine. Twice I'd asked for thyroid checks and was told all fine. Had asked for ts3 but they wouldn't. I wish I'd persisted now so hope you can. I hope you get some clarity and help soon.

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