I wonder if all you experts could help me understand my blood test results. I had a hemithyroidesctomy last month (had a large benign nodule) and these are the TFT results prior to the Op. I can’t have the post op tests done until 6 weeks post surgery (allegedly-is that correct), but will post them once they’ve been done.
Sept
TSH 0.43 (ref range 0.47 - 4.46) below LLN
FT4 13.8 (ref range 10 - 28.2)
FT3 4.7 (ref range 4.8 - 8.1) below LLN
Nov (pre-op)
TSH 0.47 (ref range 0.47 - 4.46)
FT4 13.4 (10 - 28.2)
FT3 4.0 (4.8 - 8.1) below LLN
My GP says my results are Euthyroid, not hypo, but I’m exhausted, permanently cold as and can’t concentrate on anything!
Thanks for your help.
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Hedgi
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I am not medically qualified but this is what I think of your results:-
Nov (pre-op)
TSH 0.47 (ref range 0.47 - 4.46) - good
FT4 13.4 (10 - 28.2) - should be nearer the top of the range than 13.4.
FT3 4.0 (4.8 - 8.1) below LLN - is below the bottom of the range when it should be nearer the top. As T3 is the Active Thyroid Hormone. required in all of our T3 receptor cells, you'd feel better if it was nearer 8.
Yes, it’s correct you need to wait 6 weeks post surgery
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 .
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
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.
Really interesting. Thank you SlowDragon. I have been gluten intolerant for 20 years so am now wondering about that link? I can go for my blood test next week so I’ll let you know the outcome. I also didn’t realise I’m not supposed to eat beforehand so that’s really good to know too. Thank you!
I take Calcichew + Vit D for osteopenia (is this anything to do with thyroid function?) and turmeric + glucosamine for swollen/inflamed joints (is that related to or pointing to hashimotos?). I occasionally take Berocca but will stop now until I have the blood test done as it does contain Biotin (thanks for that tip too)
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T3 and TFT advice needed please
General surgery appointment pre-op for thyroidoctomy 
Understanding blood test results
Help to understand Blood test Results
Update test results after 2 month. I need help to understand if I’m going on the right direction! 
