Thyroid testing

[Lo06]

Every time I have my thyroid function test done it always comes back normal when my body says different I’m on 25mg & 50mg alternate days what do I ask my doctor to test? & will they do it?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Lo06

What do you call "normal". Normal doesn't mean "optimal" and that's where we need our levels to be, and optimal is different for everyone.

Do you have a print out of your latest results? If so please post a picture (you can add a picture in a reply by clicking on the last icon in the row below the message box, it is a rectangle with "mountains" inside), or type them in - the results plus the reference ranges.

Ideally we need to see results for

TSH

FT4

FT3

and anything else you have had tested.

You are basically on a starter dose (50mcg is a normal starter dose) so it's highly likely you are undermedicated.

When posting your results, can you tell us if you did your test the way we always advise:

* Blood draw no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, an increase in dose of Levo or to avoid a reduction then we need the highest possible TSH

* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the blood draw. This is because eating can lower TSH and coffee can affect TSH.

* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.

* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (most labs use biotin).

These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with phlebotomists or doctors.

Also tell us if you take any supplements.

[Lo06 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi No the blood test I had done was at 15:20 in the afternoon, also I have Hypothyroidism & have been on this dose for 4 years!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Lo06]

also I have Hypothyroidism & have been on this dose for 4 years!

Yes, you wouldn't be on Levo if you didn't have hypothyroidism

It would seem that your doctor is either ignorant of how to treat hypothyroidism or is neglectful leaving you on such a tiny dose for 4 years.

Make sure you get a print out of your results, don't accept hand written or verbal results as mistakes can be made. The reference ranges will be on the print out.

If you are in England your surgery may offer online access to results, you'd need to ask about that and register if it's offered, then you can always check your results yourself after each blood test.

[Lo06 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I will ask for a copy of my results.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate…but likely all GP is testing

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 or if left very under medicated, as you likely are

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH….

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies if not been tested

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

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Suggest you reread your previous post from 8 months ago

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Results showed you were very under medicated and needed 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

Folate was deficient

Were you prescribed folic acid by GP?

Did you get vitamin D, ferritin and thyroid antibodies tested?

[Lo06 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I’m taking folic acid on vitamin D 1000iu I haven’t had thyroid antibodies

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lo06]

So you need to test vitamin D at least annually

1000iu may not be high enough dose

Aiming to improve to at least around 80nmol and around 100nmol maybe better

Need to test both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies to confirm autoimmune thyroid disease

[Buddy195 Administrator]

You can always test privately like many of us do. I use Medichecks for thyroid & key vitamins & tests are often discounted on Thursdays so maybe worth a look. Best wishes to you Lo06

[Lo06]

Ok thanks 👍