I think you should request a 'Full Thyroid Blood Test' at your surgery. This would be TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. (some surgeries don't test the 'frees'
The appointment should be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards.
If GP isn't amenable, you can get a private home blood draw test and if you decide to do so, make sure you are well-hydrated a couple of days before and that arms/hands are warm when you draw your blood.
Also request B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate too. We don't want these to be deficient.
Put up another post requesting a message to be sent to you privately of a name of a good endocrinologist in your area. Your post will then be closed and members will send you a private message as no names must be put on the open forum.
Tinnitus, numb feet and dizziness all often linked to low B12/folate…..common if hypothyroid
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 or when been under medicated
Ask GP to test vitamin levels
Thyroid levels should be tested 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
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
Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin (eg vitamin B complex) a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results
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