Receptionist said my thyroid ok but results on nhs website say X77Wg for thyroid function test is this really ok as I am getting irregular heartbeats on bp monitor and awful fatigue I can’t find this reference anywhere. I do have thyroid nodules one was negative two years ago other one right hand side they couldn’t get results as too small they sd after two attempts. On website Test result - Thyroid function test Report, Normal, No Further Action (Patient Informed)
The codes you have given are just that - codes for the tests. For example
Thyroid function test (X77Wg) - covers whatever the lab includes in thyroid function tests, it's just the code for a thyroid function test.
More specifically
Serum TSH level (XaELV) - so that is the code for the TSH test.
Serum free T4 level (XaERr) - that is the code for the FT4 test.
So your TSH result of 2.4 miu/L [0.35 - 4.94] is within range.
We need to know if you are diagnosed hypothyroid and taking Levothyroxine. If so then you are undermedicated as the aim for a treated Hypo patient on Levo only, generally, is for TSH to be 1 or below with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their reference ranges. If you aren't diagnosed/prescribed Levo then your thyroid may be struggling because a normal healthy person would have a TSH level no higher than 2, often around 1.
TSH is not a good indicator of thyroid health because it's not a thyroid hormone, it's a signal from the pituitary to the thyroid to make thyroid hormone. The thyroid hormones are FT4 and FT3 and these tests should also be done but unfortunately they are frequently not included.
I thought I may have thyroid problems but havnt been diagnosed with that. FT4 and FT3 not done should I ask for this please? I am not having any medication for this. Previous test I had mean cell volume 98.1 fl on 22/10 but It says that’s ok on website
OK, so your thyroid is starting to struggle with your TSH being over 2, but unfortunately doctors don't go by symptoms, they go by test results. Even though there is a reference range, where TSH is concerned they only tend to diagnose Primary Hypothyroidism when TSH goes over 10, regardless of what the top of the range is (4.94 in your case).
Definitely need FT4 testing because if this is below range or bottom of range this can indicate Secondary Hypothyroidism which is where the fault lies with the pituitary or the hypothalamus rather than the thyroid (unfortunately, most doctors have not heard of this).
Then there is autoimmune thyroid disease (known to patients as Hashimoto's) which is where the immune system attacks and gradually destroys the thyroid. This is confirmed by raised antibodies and if these are present along with an elevated TSH level then an enlightened doctor would diagnose and start treatment.
So the tests needed are TSH, FT4, FT3 (if possible) and Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin antibodies, which then gives a full picture of thyroid status.
So you will not get thyroid diagnosis with TSH of less than 5
Your symptoms can be due to low vitamin levels, common when thyroid is struggling
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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
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