Mixed results : Hi there, I’m really confused on... - Thyroid UK

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Mixed results

Cade83 profile image
6 Replies

Hi there, I’m really confused on what to do. When I was on 100mcg Levothyroxine my results were TSH 0.14 T4 17.6

but after dropping to 75mcg 11 weeks later they were TSH 2.83 T4 15.3. On this I was planning on upping my dose due to fatigue and increased depression and anxiety however when I had pre op assessment bloods done in January my TSH was 1.5 and T4 was 19. So now I don’t know what to do. I’m really struggling with fatigue and my depression has got so much worse. I hate how fatigue and anxiety has changed my life and it’s making me so depressed. I said to my GP that I would up my dose to 87.5mcg before changing my Sertraline dose to see if that would help first but I’m confused about my results and what to do. I also seem to be recovering so much slower from surgery compared to past surgeries before taking levothyroxine. I found my anxiety was so much worse and shaking as well. I also found I got cold so much quicker and would shiver uncontrollably until I got warm again and this has freaked me out. Any suggestions or advice would be great. TIA

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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate

When dose levothyroxine is reduced vitamin levels frequently drop

Low Ft3 is associated with depression

Reduced dose levothyroxine likely to lead to lower Ft3 result

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 .

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/

Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

Cade83 profile image
Cade83 in reply to SlowDragon

I’m gonna order some tests from thriva and see where I’m at with everything. I always do my blood tests as early as possible and before my levothyroxine.

I’m not strictly gluten free either.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Cade83

Personally I found going strictly gluten free significantly reduced anxiety levels...astonishingly.

Cade83 profile image
Cade83 in reply to SlowDragon

Wow, I keep trying to go gluten free but unless you always eat from fresh it’s difficult. Especially if I don’t have the energy to cook.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Cade83

Loads of options on gluten free ideas

Lots of ready made meals are gluten free....but always check the ingredients

M&S have lots that are gluten free

Sausages, All meat & fish, veg

Suggest you look at what you eat everyday for fortnight and then look at alternative options

Lots of gluten free crackers for lunches

Lots of soups are gluten free

Some Gluten free bread is very good - especially if toasted

If toasting - needs to be in separate gluten free toaster

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Previous post from 4 months ago showed reasonable vitamin levels, apart from folate

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

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