Hi everyone i am in a bit of a dilemma after getting covid Dec 2020 with symptoms that started on Xmas day. Covid test carried out 27 Dec proved positive. Covid symptoms lasted way past the middle of Feb. Prior to catching the virus i was hypothyroid and under medicated and had thyroid test early December which i was going to present to my private endo early Janurary, but had to cancel the appointment because i was covid positive and really unwell. I did post these results on here in a previous post while not feeling like I was fully recovered from covid. In hindsight I now suspect that prolonged covid symptoms was in fact a combination of worse decline into pre-existing hypothyroidism, contributing to the lingering covid symptoms. I was admitted to A+E ten days into having Covid due to AFib showed up after ECG carried out by the paramedic. Despite feeling so ill,I did ask the attending doctor if my thyroid blood results were ok and he said they were fine. Of course we all know that NHS docs only look at TSH level so this means nothing.
My question here, considering the above, is: could a positive covid test affect thyroid results?
really would appreciate some feedback
thank you all
Written by
dragon51
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Thanks Scrumbler, i have no thyroid, dose of levo 75mcg so if thyroid levels fall during prolonged illness surly TSH would not have shown up as normal?
Suggest you get full thyroid and vitamin testing done soon
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
75mcg levothyroxine is only one step up from starter dose. Unless extremely petite, likely low dose
Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine
Which brand
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if under medicated
Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid levels or test privately
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
Hi Scrumbler sorry my previous reply to you was a bit rushed and i did not think it through (dog was pestering me to go out). I totally agree with you that a prolonged illness such as flu or covid does affect thyroid levels. Question is why did the doc in A+E tell me my thyroid levels were normal when clearly we both know, as in your case: levels drop alarmingly?
The mind boggles when it comes to doctors, it really does. Besides the AFib issue (reason for admission to hospital) i also had covid as well as being hypothyroid and having awful adrenal problems. I specifically asked this doc about my thyroid levels and i am p....ed off being told that they are NORMAL.Grrrrr
Yes 75mcg is very low and i certainly feeling the awful consequences of hypothyroidism. Week ago I started dosing with 15mcg Efra (split dose) daily to introduce, very slowly, to my body due to AFib diagnosis. Don't know if this is the right thing to do....just have to try something to improve FT3 level which was 35% through range prior to me getting covid.
Anyway thank you Scrumbler....have a rewarding day lovely
thyroid blood results i posted were done privately.... A+E doc done their complete blood test when i was admitted. yes he told me thyroid blood test was normal. He went on to say, "Your blood results are boring"
I do have a conversion issue, not genetic been tested. Vit levels are fine. Read this from a post yesterday: Quote: "Stress can effect cortisol levels which in turn can affect the bodies ability to convert T4 to T3 and get T3 into the cells to be used". In my case Stress is certainly a contributory factor when it comes to conversion problems so it makes sense to dose with T3 be it Efra or synthetic T3. I hope and pray that T3 is getting to cells in my body.
Have noted your most welcome suggestion but for now plan to muddle through taking 15mcg Efra which i will increase to 30mcg daily, next week, if all goes well.
Have got my thyroid test kit.
Thanks Scrumbler you have reassured me that I am on the right path, be it a long and craggy one.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Confusing Thyroid blood tests
Long Covid and Thyroid.
Confused with thyroid tests
Confused by thyroid test results
