I went for a check up for Diabetes and after the blood test was told l had to the thyroid tablets 50mg then it dropped down to 25 mg after another blood test was told to take vitaminD3 again another test results show normal and now I am told I have to take them lifelong. Can you kindly advise why
Thank you 🙏
Are you diabetic? If yes, is that type one (autoimmune)
First thing is, do you have any actual thyroid blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
Link re access
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
Frequently only TSH is tested and this is completely inadequate
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 autoimmune thyroid disease
Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies if not been tested yet
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 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...
Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH
Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit
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.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom...
The aim of levothyroxine is to increase dose upwards until Ft4 is in top third of range and Ft3 at least half way through range (regardless of how low TSH is) ...
Extremely important to have optimal vitamin levels too as this helps reduce symptoms and improve how levothyroxine works
Was told that I am at a high risk of Diabetes
If you are in England, once you are prescribed thyroid meds, and if not otherwise exempt, you are entitled to FREE prescriptions (for everything, not just thyroid meds) - so ask your GP surgery to sort out the form if you don't have an exemption card.
This is because if you are hypo (underactive thyroid) - it doesn't get better by itself. In many cases, it gets worse, so it's important to have regular blood tests - and to get a copy of your results each time [don't rely on the GP phoning you if there's a problem and don't accept guff like "normal" or "in range" - you want "optimal" which can be very different.
I'ts very important to get ALL the tests SlowDragon recommends. I have had some success with my GP by saying that these are the tests that Thyroid UK recommends, but if yours won't, you will see LOTS of posts here about private testing.
Once you have your blood results, post them here (in a new post), with the lab range in brackets after each one [the lab ranges vary from lab to lab so we need to see what yours are] - and the lovely people here will hep you to understand them.
You are currently on a very low dose of medication - 50 mcg is the standard "starter dose" that is usually then increased not reduced - so it's really important you see what your blood results are - and what has actually been tested.
Good luc x
I fuchsia-pinkI have the blood test results but not sure where to post it
Type them here or start a new post with a pic 🌻
New post is best - as more people will see it 
Following as I'm interested.
I was told by GP phonecall that I have hypothyroidism (they only did TSH) to take Levothyroxine 50mg, that's it no other info. I haven't taken the prescription, I've researched into natural foods to up my dose of iodine as I don't have any dairy. This has helped (with headaches and fatigue, I also take thyroid support tablets (vitamins and minerals needed). I have purchased a Thyroid Test from Thriva, so I can check every few months my results.
I have been told I am at high risk of Diabetes, but the GP haven't taken into account that I have Endometriosis which affects the Thyroid, they are adamant that neither diet nor existing conditions affect your thyroid, which most definitely isn't true.
Endometriosis and autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s) often go together
Lactose intolerance is extremely common with Hashimoto’s
If you have Hashimoto’s, taking any iodine can make situation worse
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
drknews.com/iodine-and-hash...
Important to get FULL thyroid testing done including thyroid antibodies and vitamins
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results
Thanks for the information. I am doing a thyroid test via thriva as the GP doesn't seem keen to do anything else at the moment; they're using the excuse of covid. Usually I'd push for an appointment to see my GP and discuss but they are only doing telephone appointments which means 2 mins and that's it.
I'm taking these but just one tablet a day.
amazon.co.uk/Body-Thyroid-S...
The above is what my endometriosis specialist suggested to take before my operation with him. He wasn't keen on my taking the full dose or prescribed medication. He says he'll write to my GP to push for a full investigation as thyroid is related to endometriosis, he's a bit frustrated with the GP but cannot order full thyroid bloods himself as he's not listed as a thyroid specialist.
I don't take anything with biotin apart from what's in a normal diet.
I don't have lactose intolerance! It's a sensitivity to casein so dairy milk makes my stomach gassy, cheeses and yoghurts are fine. I just don't like the taste!
You will see thousands of posts on here with private blood tests done via Medichecks, Blue Horizon or Thriva
Messed up with Levothyroxine prior to blood test
NDT and blood tests
Blood test coming up:
What vitamin D dose do you take? 
