Please help analyse these results

[Mrsarcher2021]

Hi everyone

I have had hypothyroidism symptoms for a while, most notable are difficulty losing weight, swollen hands, cold hands and feet. My GP sent me for TSH, T3 and T4 tests. I also have Lupus.

Here are my results

TSH - 2 (range 0.3-4.2)

Free T4 - 11 (range 9-23)

Free T3 3.9 (range 2.5-5.7)

I know I will need vitamin and antibody tests. Is anyone able to say if the results look normal?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ft4 is low and Ft3 is particularly low

Lupus is autoimmune and often linked with autoimmune thyroid disease

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 .

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/

Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH

Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

[Mrsarcher2021 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much SlowDragon

The GP didn't test my ferritin, but my MCH/MCHC is low. I've read that this suggests anaemia. Is it worth rectifying my anaemia before getting further thyroid/thyroid antibody tests?

If my antibody test is positive, will this be enough for my GP to start me on thyroid medication?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mrsarcher2021]

Request full iron panel test for anaemia

B12, folate and vitamin D testing

plus thyroid antibodies tested for autoimmune thyroid disease

coeliac blood test too

Alternatively get tested privately

Medichecks do full iron panel test

Come back with new post once you get results

[Mrsarcher2021 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you very much. Will get these tests done.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mrsarcher2021]

At moment TSH would be considered too low to prescribe levothyroxine

Often improving low vitamin levels makes TSH respond better to low thyroid hormones, and then TSH rises so that you can get treated

Important to always get test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water, as this gives highest and most consistent results