Thyroid results

[Julie-74]

Very quickly drs said this is no further action

Serum TSH level 0.21 miu/L [0.2 - 4.0]

Ideal T4 replacement therapy indicated by TSH 0.2-2.0 miu/L

Any advise? Had hypothyroidism since I was 17 now 47 many thanks in advance

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Julie-74

Just testing TSH alone does not give a picture of our thyroid status. We need FT4 and FT3 as well.

TSH is not a thyroid hormone, it's a pituitary hormone. FT4 and FT3 are the thyroid hormones and tell us what we need to know.

What advice are you looking for?

Are you experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism despite being on Levothyroxine?

For a full picture, as well as TSH, FT4 and FT3, it's useful to have thyroid antibodies tested to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune. Also, because we need optimal nutrient levels for thyroid hormone to work properly, we also need to test

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Low levels or deficiencies of these can also bring their own symptoms.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

Which brand

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH

See from your profile you suffer with anaemia and low vitamin D

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin levels last tested

We need all four vitamins at GOOD levels

Frequently means supplementing virtually continuously to maintain optimal levels

Do you have Hashimoto’s also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

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 with Hashimoto’s or if under medicated

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

Please add most recent vitamin results if you have any

[Julie-74 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hello and thanks for your replies although I had had this for a very long time I really do not know alot about my condition I am trying to learn.I am on at the moment a steady dose of 200mg the brand is usually actavic but not always ...is there a better brand?

I have recently learnt that my thyroid levels will never be right with low iron levels

My levels came back good this time although vitamin d and ferritin not back yet

Full blood count

Haemoglobin concentration 137 g/L [115.0 - 160.0]

Total white blood count 9.30 10*9/L [4.0 - 11.0]

Platelet count - observation 293 10*9/L [150.0 - 400.0]

Mean cell volume 91 fL [78.0 - 100.0]

Haematocrit 0.43 [0.37 - 0.47]

Red blood cell count 4.68 10*12/L [3.8 - 5.8]

Mean cell haemoglobin level 29.3 pg [27.0 - 32.0]

Red blood cell distribution width 12.5

Neutrophil count 7.45 10*9/L [2.0 - 7.5]

Lymphocyte count 1.30 10*9/L [1.0 - 4.5]

Monocyte count - observation 0.32 10*9/L [0.2 - 0.8]

Eosinophil count - observation 0.11 10*9/L [0.04 - 0.4]

Basophil count 0.04 10*9/L [< 0.1]

Large unstained cells 0.08 10*9/L [< 0.6]

Percentage hypochromic cells 1 %

I will have a look at those private tests as go not so keen to do many tests at all I will ask though just to save me some money

I really appreciate everyone's help I feel shocking my symptoms are

Anxiety

Restless legs

Ulcers/sore tounge

Cramps all over even in my face

Stiffness

Whole body pain

Exhausted

Pica

Indigestion or heartburn

Dizzy/faint

Breathlessness

Headache and migrains

Nails weak

White eyes

Palpitations

Weakness

Memory loss and confusion

Pale under eye lids

Hyperosmia

Higher heart rate

Xx

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Julie-74]

Restless legs is often linked to low vitamin D and/or low ferritin levels

Little point testing magnesium levels

Many thyroid patients find they benefit from magnesium supplements

Magnesium best taken afternoon or evening as it’s relaxing. Must be four hours away from levothyroxine minimum

Calm vitality magnesium powder is cheap and easy to use. Good at improving constipation.

[Julie-74 in reply to SlowDragon]

I've looked into private tests and decided to go for the full all in test with horizon I got a 20% discount so brought the cost down to £399 I have to get my own blood test private cost is £40 but have to travel no tests in Leeds I was thinking of asking the blood nurse ??? What do you think this is the response from my very unhelpful Dr...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Julie-74]

Sounds an extremely expensive (and unnecessary?) test

Most popular test is

Thyroid including antibodies and vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Usually

£79 via Medichecks

medichecks.com/products/adv...

or £79 Thriva

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

£139 via Blue horizon

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Important to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results

Stop taking any iron supplements a week before test if testing ferritin levels

Only do test early Monday or Tuesday morning and then post back via tracked postal service

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Julie-74]

If you can get GP to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 that will be good

Always get actual results and ranges

If you have ever had thyroid antibodies tested in past and result was high, this confirms autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s.

There’s no point retesting and NHS only ever tests antibodies once if test is positive

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/

NHS can and does prescribe T3 if you have clinical need

It’s not routinely prescribed.....and has to be initiated via thyroid specialist endocrinologist. 3-6 month trial is prescribed via hospital pharmacy

But BEFORE considering adding T3 we need all four vitamins tested and supplement to bring to optimal levels

Frequently with autoimmune thyroid disease it’s essential to be on strictly gluten free diet too. Certainly always worth trying

[Julie-74 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hello again I've got all my results hope it's ok for you to look at them?

[Julie-74 in reply to Julie-74]

I also have the thyroid DNA tests I'm happy to share it's more of a long PDA so difficult to share on here let me know it's interesting to see. This is the drs comments ....The laboratory have indicated that unfortunately your sample for insulin was unsuitable for analysis. This is likely to be caused by a delay in processing the sample – you will note the sample was received at the laboratory on the 3rd at 10:51AM, although the sample was dated the 2nd at 10:00AM. Sometimes, a delay in testing can lead to what are known as 'storage changes' - this is much more likely after 24 hours have elapsed after the sample has been taken. Repeat sampling will be necessary I'm afraid, if this level needs to be known.

The thyroid function is currently normal. The positive thyroid antibody result, however, increases the possibility of your having or ultimately developing autoimmune thyroid disease, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Grave's disease.

The borderline low reverse T3 ratio is unlikely to be of clinical significance. There is much controversy about the role of reverse T3 in thyroid illness. Conventional endocrinologists (hormone specialists) generally believe that knowing of the level of this substance does not influence thyroid treatment decisions. The alternative view however is that reverse T3 is effectively 'antithyroid' - T3 is the active thyroid hormone that stimulates the body's energy system (metabolism). Reverse T3 is a mirror image - it goes into cells, and instead of controlling metabolic processes it blocks the effect of T3. In this model, reverse T3 is effectively a hibernation hormone - in times of stress and chronic illness it lowers energy release from the cells - so normal thyroid levels with high reverse T3 may still result in hypothyroidism. The Vitamin B12 level is insufficient. Although technically in range, some experts believe levels of 400-500 are desirable and that levels below this may lead to symptoms. Low Vitamin B12 levels can lead to Pernicious Anaemia (PA), a state of deficiency of the red blood cells in which there is reduced quality and number. Characteristically, the red blood cells are enlarged in this state (if the deficiency is severe and longstanding). Vitamin B12 is commonly found in many foods, particularly meats. Deficiency can develop if intake of the vitamin is reduced or if absorption from the gut is impaired. Poor absorption owing to a deficiency of Intrinsic Factor (IF) is the underlying reason for PA. Vitamin B12 deficiency in the longer run can lead to nervous system disorders - with sensation changes, loss of power or co-ordination, gut disorders and (rarely) dementia or mental illness. Lower level deficiency has been associated with a range of symptoms such as fatigue, memory impairment, irritability, depression and personality changes. Supplementation with Vitamin B12 is likely to be of benefit - please discuss this finding with your usual doctor.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Julie-74]

Suggest you also write new post and attach these results

Then far more people will see them and comment

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Julie-74]

EXACTLY What Vitamin Supplements are you currently taking

Presumably you knew that cause of your hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Are you currently on strictly gluten free diet?

If not, have you had coeliac blood test ever?

Folate and B12 are really really low

Ferritin is poor

Are you vegetarian or vegan

Remind me how much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand which brand

Was thyroid testing done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test