Hemithyroidectomy 6 weeks ago and just had my bloods taken

[Headandneck72]

Hello I’m now six weeks post op and my bloods are showing TSH is 0.02 and my Free T4 is 27.1 – they are suggesting I reduce my Levo down to 150mmg? I’m feeling ok just can’t loose the weight (10kgs) and tired but not too bad generally scar has heeled very well so not feeling too bad (still no voice) being scoped on 20th May!

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Did you have T3 checked as well? This is so important to understand your thyroid health. It’s also useful if you can put the ranges in brackets for TSH/ T4 etc as labs can vary. Did you have any private blood tests for thyroid, antibodies & key vitamins (as previously advised by forum members)?I would focus on trying to get thyroid medication & key vitamins optimal & not focus on your weight. Many forum members have found that weight issues reduce when medication & supplements are optimal.

Have you trialled being gluten free? This reduced my overall inflammation.

Best wishes to you!

[Headandneck72 in reply to Buddy195]

Hi there - I’m going to take the 150 for a few weeks then get tested privately for all of the other test advised here - i did not eat or drink and the test was taken at 10am and last dose taken the day before.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Was 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

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

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you get same brand at each prescription

Obviously just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate

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

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)

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