Blood test query

[Molly36]

My GP’s annual blood test shows T4 levels of 29.3 and TSH of 0.6 . I’m on 125 of levothyroxine. I have Hashimotos. I’m feeling very anxious. What questions do I need to ask my GP? Thank you

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Hi Molly36, you definitely need to ask for a T3 test, to get a fuller picture of your thyroid health. When you are posting results on the forum it helps if you put the ranges in brackets (as different labs have different ranges).

I recently reduced from 125-100 mcg Levo as I was experiencing fast pulse, tremor and increased anxiety. I test my bloods privately so I can monitor levels for thyroid & key vitamins (ferritin, folate, vit D) & am not reliant on my GP for tests (as my GP won’t test everything & only routinely test yearly)

[Molly36 in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks Buddy. The GP has messaged to say he’s calling me after Easter to discuss the results. Like most people I find the pandemic has interfered with other medical issues. I’m not complaining- I’m alive .

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Molly36]

Write down your current symptoms to discuss with your GP & all the questions you have prior to the call. Definitely ask for a T3 test before agreeing to any changes of medication.

[shaws Administrator]

Molly36, to enable members to respond, you need to put the ranges (ranges are figures in brackets after the results). This enables members to respond to your query. Labs differ in their machines and that's the reason ranges have to be given.

Did you get the very earliest blood draw, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and the test? You take dose after test.

[Molly36 in reply to shaws]

Hi , no fasting, just standard blood test Results show as T4 29.3 pmol/L 12.00-22.00pmol/L.TSH 0.06 mU/L. .27 - 4.20 mU/L. I’ve had head and neck cancer and the treatment pretty well demolished my thyroid .

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Molly36]

If you took levothyroxine in morning before test, result is false high Ft4 result

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Was this test 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, if any

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

Just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate

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 with Hashimoto’s

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

If not, have you had coeliac blood test done yet

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and coeliac if not been tested yet

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/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...