Test results

[skelly82]

TSH 0.03

Free T3 4.15

Free thyroxine 11.5

Any body help with these latest results ❓ do they look okay, any tweaking to be done ❓

Thanks 😊

[Lotika]

It would probably be useful to see ranges... and to know how you are feeling on this dose?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

skelly82

Please add the reference ranges (often in figures next to the result on your print out) so that we can interpret your result. Ranges vary from lab to lab.

Also please tell us what dose of thyroid meds you are taking.

Also, when did you take your last dose before the test?

Do you take a B Complex or Biotin supplement and did you leave it off for 7 days before the test?

Plus, as Lotika says, how do you feel?

Lots of things to clear up before we can give an accurate comment.

[skelly82]

Read More

TSH

07 Jan 2021

0.03

mIU/L

0.27 - 4.2 R

0.27

4.2

FREE T3

07 Jan 2021

4.15

pmol/L

3.1 - 6.8 R

3.1

6.8

FREE THYROXINE

07 Jan 2021

11.5

pmol/L

12 - 22 R

I took my last dose approx 24 hours before the test. I currently take 25 mcg thyroxine, 1.25 grains of Thyroid s

I do take a B complex and didn’t stop it beforehand 🙈

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to skelly82]

skelly82

I do take a B complex and didn’t stop it beforehand

In that case your results may not be accurate. When a lab uses Biotin in the testing procedure, which most labs do, and a patient takes Biotin in a supplement, then the results can be false if the supplement is not stopped for a few days before the test.

I took my last dose approx 24 hours before the test. I currently take 25 mcg thyroxine, 1.25 grains of Thyroid s

If we assumed that your results weren't falsely affected by the Biotin, then there is another problem in that because your took your last dose of Thyroid-S 24 hours before the test this has given a false low FT3 result. Last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, last dose of NDT or T3 should be 8-12 hours before blood draw.

Your results are strange in that your TSH is suppressed and your FT4 is below range and your FT3 only 28.38% through range. With a low TSH one would expect to see FT4 within range (although possibly low in range) and FT3 in the upper part of it's range when a patient is taking Levo plus T3 or Levo plus NDT.

I think it's fair to say that this set of results probably isn't a true reflection of your normal thyroid status and a new test under the right conditions would be beneficial, i.e.

* Blood draw no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, an increase in dose of Levo or to avoid a reduction then we need the highest possible TSH

* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the blood draw. This is because eating can lower TSH and coffee can affect TSH.

* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.

* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (most labs use biotin).

These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with phlebotomists or doctors.

[skelly82]

I find it difficult to answer ’how are you feeling’ as I think I’ve lost track of what ‘ normal’ feels like, but I think I feel quite good currently 🤷‍♀️

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As you have Graves’ disease and post RAI are you on strictly gluten free diet

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

As Seasidesusie said, very important to stop any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS

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

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)

If/when also on T3, or NDT make sure to take last third or quarter of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

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

[skelly82]

Ah, thank you everyone for your replies it looks like I have made a few mistakes in doing this blood test from medichecks 🙈 I will take on board everything and do another test in a few weeks. I did do the test before nine and before eating or drinking but looks like I did everything else wrong 😆