Hi again everyone. Following on from my recent posts. I actually got in touch with my GP practice, the doctor called me back and we had a chat. Blood test was to be arranged and I actually asked for full thyroid check and vitamin levels, to which she agreed. An appointment was made, a nurse came to the little surgery in the village, so I didn't have to drive, nor sit in a waiting room, I actually stood outside, so all good there, al, you have to do is ask !!!!
Results received today, by letter, my blood sugar levels are higher then normal but not high enough to be called diabetes!!! (Not what I was expecting). Nothing in the letter re my other results, so had to call them! Thyroid, normal!!! But carry on with 25 microgrammes of levothyroxine? B12 and Iron levels normal. So now I will be looking into how not to develop type 2 diabetes !!! Thank you to everyone for your kind comments, advise and concern 😊
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Littlebuddha
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Have you been diagnosed as having a heart condition? The 'normal' starting dose of levoythyoxine is 50mcg with increases of 25mcg until the TSH is 1 or lower!
Ask if they can send you a copy of your blood test results.
It's not the only surgery in the UK, that do not understand how important it is for a hypothyroid patient to be given 'optimum' doses (gradual increases)until TSH is 1 or lower and a FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of the ranges.
Please don't just accept "normal" - you want your actual results and the related lab ranges.
For example, the lab range for free T4 might be 12 - 22. If your result is 12.5 you will likely feel dreadful (and need that dose increase). If it's 19.5 you will feel much better. But both are "in range" and therefore "normal" x
I second that ... don't accept report of "Normal " on thyroid matters. It was good of them to come out and test thyroid for you , but it's no use unless they also tell you what they tested , and what the ACTUAL result was [including it's lab range] which is always shown in brackets after the result .
They may have only done a TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Test.
This is the message from the pituitary to the thyroid asking for more t4/T3 to be produced by the thyroid ( or prescribed by the doctor!)
A low number 0 = enough already , a higher number like 4 = some more please, (most healthy people have around 1 and under 2.)
The usual lab range for TSH is in the region of [0.5 - 4 ] ish,, but they do vary a bit.
There is a world of difference between how you'd feel on 0.6 and 3.99, but both would be reported to you as 'normal'.
They may or may not have done an fT4 (Free T4 ) test which is the levels of T4 hormone available. There are many different lab ranges for this test , depending on which machine they use , commonly something like [12-20] but some are [7.9-14] so a result of 14 could be quite high or quite low , which is why knowing the range that comes with it is so important.
They are highly unlikely to have done an fT3 ( which is the active hormone that T4 (or Levo ) is turned into in order for the cells to use it.
Also unfortunately , you can't always even trust a report of 'normal' to even actually be in the normal range......i've had times where i was told "thyroid normal' and it actually meant "it's not normal, but since it usually is we aren't considering doing anything about it ,or even telling you, yet."
And i've even had one where the lab comment said "abnormal , contact patient", and the doctors notes also said "abnormal , contact patient" ... but nobody did...... i found it 5 years later when noseying around my historic results after i'd asked to see them all .
Hi Tattybogle il get in touch with the Surgery tomorrow and ask for the results. Thank you so much for the advice and all the information. Its such a minefield
Glad to help ,....ps if talking to receptionists make sure they get the decimal points right .... i don't think they need maths O level to work on reception. If at all possible , normally get a print out rather than a verbal report , but under the current 'locked down' circumstances you may have to take what you can get.
P.Ps . if they 'look over their glassed' at you (down the phone) and ask why you want them , the best answer is a confident "For my Records"
If they say "you can't have them until the doctor , whatever", the answer is "the doctor has already seen them and discussed them with me ,so it IS OK for me to have them now "
Did you fast before the test? I have had tests cone back with blood sugar showing high after eating in the morning, but when I fast ie no food for 12 hours or so blood sugar is fine.
Hi Alanna012, I didn't, I wasn't advised to, my appointment was at 11:45, id taken my table at usual time which would have been between 6:30-7:30 am and then had my breakfast at about 8ish
The diabetes test done in standard bloods is the HbA1c this measures levels over the past 2-3 months. You could eat ten bars of chocolate before the test and it will not make any difference than if you fasted. I am diabetic and we never fast before blood tests, there is no need except for some diagnostic testing. You woukd have known if they were doing that as it’s two tests two hours and a large glass of glucose apart. Only finger prick blood glucose tests reflect sugar at a moment in time.
“Normal “ is not a blood test result.....it’s an opinion
Often an incorrect one
How long have you been on 25mcg levothyroxine
Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?
Have you had thyroid antibodies tested at previous tests?
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.
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
High blood sugar can improve as thyroid dose is increased
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
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, 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
Hi SlowDragonOnce again thank you for all the information and advice.
Been on 25 microgrammes of levothyroxine over 2 years, no idea what the brand is, not taking any vitamin supplements at the moment. My blood test was at 11:45, I'd had my breakfast and taken my levothyroxine at normal time which is between 6:30-7:30 am. My diet isn't great and I am overweight, however last time I had my bloods done, two years ago, I was informed my blood sugars were a little high!!
All thyroid tests should ALWAYS be done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
So your test results will have lower TSH than if you tested correctly
And falsely high Ft4 result
To get dose increase you need HIGH TSH and LOW Ft4
If TSH is over 2 you definitely need dose increase in levothyroxine
If TSH is under 2 you need further testing and doing test correctly
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