GPs: TSH - thyroid-stimulating hormone - a... - Thyroid UK

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Sheffield6 profile image
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TSH - thyroid-stimulating hormone - a normal reading is in the range of 0.5 to 5mIU

From another site "My blood test just came back with a TSH of 6.8. Doctor said this is borderline?"

Not me, mine is in the range. I don't understand some doctors.

What's the point in having a range íf you ignore it?

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Sheffield6
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helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

If 6.8. isn't just a one-off oddity, then in my view, very clearly an issue. (Requires repeat testing to know, of course!)

You just might find this article of interest and/or use when people go on about "normal range":

The normal range: it is not normal and it is not a range

Freely accessible here:

pmj.bmj.com/content/postgra...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Looking at previous posts you are on levothyroxine?

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

Which brand?

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

On levothyroxine TSH MUST be under 2.

Frequently when adequately treated TSH will be well under one

gponline.com/endocrinology-...

Replacement therapy with levothyroxine should be initiated in all patients to achieve a TSH level of 0.5-2.0pmol/L.

See/contact GP for 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

Request vitamin testing if not been tested in last 6-9 months

Thyroid Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks later

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 .

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 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/

Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH

Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

The NHS won't (generally) treat you until your TSH goes over 10, regardless of symptoms, even though you are hypo (usually) when it goes over 3. However, the same GP will panic if the TSH dips 0.05 below the range.

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