Understanding Hypothyroidism - newbie

[luthien]

Hey all, so I have routine thyroid blood tests as thyroid problems run in the family. I have been told with my latest blood results that I have a slightly underactive thyroid, and that I need to go on tablets. I am in the process of requesting my actual results so I can see the levels. Which ones are important? If I get them and post them on here can you help me decipher them so I can understand what they mean?

I'm still researching as this is all new to me; my GP has pretty much said there's nothing diet wise or natural supplements, vitamins or minerals I could take to help, and that I'll just have to start on medication. Does anyone have any good reads on this please? He's prescribing Levothyroxine. All previous thyroid tests have been fine (every other year). I'm hesitant to just start on medication without having more information.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is caused by autoimmune thyroid disease so important to test thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels too

Frequently we have low vitamin levels

You are legally entitled to copies of your blood test results

Easiest option is to register for online access to your medical record, if test results are on there

Otherwise ask for printed copies of results and ranges

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

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Many, many people with autoimmune thyroid disease find strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential

Important to do coeliac blood test FIRST before considering trial of gluten free diet

[luthien in reply to SlowDragon]

Wow thanks for all the info, I have quickly skimmed through!

I shall have a more thorough read a little later and make some notes.

It seems to be we need to push for blood tests, but that's okay I'm happy to request additional ones!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to luthien]

Frequently necessary to test privately, but see what you can get via GP first

[luthien in reply to SlowDragon]

would it be something worth referring privately for more tests? I have my own medical insurance which covers diagnostic tests for a condition so I could see a specialist, or is it just better to do the tests using the send one off in the post thing (I've done those before so I'm okay with them)?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to luthien]

We ALWAYS recommend getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing before considering seeing any thyroid specialist endocrinologist

Unlikely to get private testing done before Christmas now

[fuchsia-pink in reply to luthien]

I've had some luck with my GP by saying that these are the tests recommended by Thyroid UK - but you will have had TSH (and if you're lucky) free T4 tested already. Get your historic results, and the lab ranges (which vary from lab to lab) and the lovely people here will help you to understand them. You don't have to give a reason for wanting them, but it's usually easiest to say "for my records" or register for on-line access.

If you're new to thyroid issues generally, I'd recommend a good rootle around the hypo section of the main Thyroid UK site - and to get to grips with the jargon, helvella has done an excellent glossary - look in "pinned posts" x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

See you are in HU endometriosis group

Endometriosis and Hashimoto’s often linked

Hashimoto’s and fertility issues too

TSH must be under 2 before TTC

[luthien in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks I wasn't sure to ask that in here!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to luthien]

Come back with new post once you get results from GP

[satindoll77054]

I have been taking Levothyroxine for almost 10 yrs. I am fine. I have Hashimoto's, Celiac's, Sjogren's, and Parkinson's. If you take your meds as prescribed, you'll be fine. I also have poly neuropathies. I am a retired Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist. I know a little bit about medicine. Stop stressing. Talk to your Specialist. If you have one autoimmune disease diagnosed, you probably have a second one, as well.

[luthien in reply to satindoll77054]

Thanks for the info!

I haven't be referred to a specialist; basically a doctor at my surgery did a phone consultation - all of 2 mins to say my thyroid levels are low and a prescription for levothyroxine will be sent to my pharmacy. That's it, no info, no discussion, no results, no specialist referral, no mention of related diseases. Hence why I'm confused!