What labs to request PLEASE?

[Beth4455]

What blood testing do I ask for? I’m 47. I have joint pain, fatigue, insomnia, weight gain. I recently tried bio identical hormones but failed miserably do to increased joint pain. I noticed my t4 and t3 were low. I want them to do a full lab work up of everything all at once. What ALL should I ask for?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Beth4455

You can ask but there are certain tests that you're unlikely to get done through your GP. What your really need is a full thyroid panel

TSH

FT4

FT4

Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies (may be done if they think there's a need, possibly wont be done)

Thyroglobulin antibodies (very unlikely to get this done)

Also, because low nutrient levels tend to have symptoms that can overlap with symptoms of hypothyroidism, we advice the following

Vit D (some surgeries refuse to test this)

B12

Folate

Ferritin

What tests have you had done? Can you post the results along with their reference ranges (usually at the side of the result on a print out), ranges are essential as they differ from lab to lab and we can't interpret results without them.

Joint pain can be low Vit D.

Fatigue can be hypothyroidism, it can also be low ferritin.

Weight gain can be hypothyroidism.

[Beth4455 in reply to SeasideSusie]

What about reverse t3? Is that important?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Beth4455]

Beth4455

No, it's an expensive test which takes a few weeks to receive the results but doesn't tell you anything the FT4/FT3 test can tell you.

High Reverse T3 can be due to a number of reasons and only one has anything to do with the thyroid and this is when there is a build up of unconverted T4 but you would see that by looking at your FT4 and FT3 results, the FT4 would be high and the FT3 would be low.

Other conditions that contribute to increased Reverse T3 levels include:

· Chronic fatigue

· Acute illness and injury

· Chronic disease

· Increased cortisol (stress)

· Low cortisol (adrenal fatigue)

· Low iron

· Lyme disease

· Chronic inflammation

Also selenium deficiency, excess physical, mental and environmental stresses. Also Beta-blocker long-term use such as propranolol, metoprolol, etc. Physical injury is a common cause of increased RT3, also illnesses like the flu. Starvation/severe calorie restriction is known to raise RT3. Diabetes when poorly treated is known to increase RT3. Cirrhosis of the liver. Fatty liver disease. Any other liver stress Renal Failure. A fever of unknown cause. Detoxing of high heavy metals.

Articles

thyroidpatients.ca/2019/01/...

zrtlab.com/blog/archive/rev...

verywellhealth.com/reverse-...

Save your money and spend it on something else

[radd]

Beth4455,

Welcome to our forum,

Have you blood test results for sex hormones or was HRT bought OTC?

All hormones work together and if you have deficiencies that in itself could impair how thyroid hormones are working. To assess levels of thyroid hormones you will need tests for TSH, FT4 & FT3.

Because hypothyroidism (& other conditions) impair gut absorption it is essential to have Vit D, VitB12, folate and ferritin tested. Also testing TPOAb & TGAb will help eliminate thyroid autoimmune disease.

Many members use private labs when their doctors are uncooperative. Post all results with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment. If you have sex hormone blood test results, these can be posted as well.

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thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...