I so many symptoms of hypothyroidism and have done for quite some time:
Hair thinning
Dry skin
Exhaustion
Bouts of unexplainable depression
Full body stiffness
Joint pain
Weight gain (and inability to lose weight!)
Brain fog/confusion
I’ve only just become aware that they are all possible symptoms for thyroid dysfunction and asked for a blood test from my GP. They text me today to say it was ‘satisfactory’ - I rang and they said my FT4 levels were 12.2 and TSH 0.84.
Should I follow up?
Thank you in advance
Written by
WestcliffWriter
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We need the reference ranges for your results please, these vary from lab to lab so it's not possible to interpret your results and provide meaningful comments with seeing the ranges. Best way to get them is to ask the receptionist to let you have a print out of your results, either by email or you picking them up, unless you have online access to your results.
It's also useful to test nutrient levels as low levels or deficiencies can cause symptoms which can overlap with hypothyroidism. You need to test Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin, if GP wont do them they can be done privately.
Just to add most T4 ranges start at 12 and stretch around 10 units to 22 :
I think you must follow this up as it looks like you maybe falling below the range.
Are you already on any thyroid hormone replacement T4 - Levothyroxine ?
Sadly if you haven't a diagnosis and your doctor is only looking at the TSH reading s/he may not be able help you as the guidelines suggest a TSH should be over range, not low in range to initiate treatment.
I think you need to make an appointment as your are dealing with several hypothyroid symptoms and it needs further more detailed blood tests to see what's going on.
Who wants satisfactory anyway ? What does it even mean, it's just someone's opinion.
Have a look on the Thyroid Uk website as this is the charity who support this amazing forum where you will read of everything thyroid.
There is a list of hypothyroid symptoms that you might like to tick and take with you to appointment so to stay focused and not dismissed as " just satisfactory " , or " just your age " or even offered anti depressants as a consolation prize :
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 at least annually
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Any family members have any autoimmune disease?
Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies
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
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.
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Can anyone give me an idea of what these results might mean please?
Give me an advice please😑
Please can someone give me some advice?
I can't get my thyroxine dose right, can anyone give me advice?
Can anyone help please? 
