This is my first post and I could do with some help understanding my recent test results, if anyone could comment I would be very grateful. In 2014 I started on 25mg of thyroxin and now i'm up to 100mg per day.
TSH 0.88
T4 17.8
T3 4 but that was 2020
How do you feel
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
Are you diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s
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 with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)
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 all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
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...
NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via
Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test
Thriva also offer just vitamin testing
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.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...
I dont always get the same brand although i have asked for it. I'm not taking any vitamin supplements, non have ever been recommended
My original Endo said take your medication as normal before the blood test and so I have carried on that way. As for diagnosis they just said I had an underactive thyroid. I'm usually a very active and fit person but over the last few years i've felt constantly drained - physically exhausted at times. I have a number of auto immune problems which i've always maintained are linked ( Vitiligo, psoriosis ) more recently someone up there decided I could have Eosinophilic Asthma as well.
I think your suggestion to get a full set of test together in a controlled and methodical fashion is extremely good advice.
So if you have other autoimmune disease your hypothyroidism is virtually guaranteed to be autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s has goitre
Ord’s thyroiditis, thyroid shrinks and shrivels up
Low vitamin levels are EXTREMELY common on levothyroxine, but especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
Most endocrinologists are diabetes specialists.
Guidelines are quite clear, testing should be early morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test……but vast majority of medics are unaware
Hidden gluten intolerance is extremely common with autoimmune thyroid disease too
Sounds like you need to take control
The only person who can manage your condition well, is you
First step is to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done
Only do test early Monday or Tuesday morning and then post back via tracked postal service
Come back with new post once you get results
Members can advise on next steps
Which brand of levothyroxine do you prefer
Important to try to always get same brand at each prescription if you notice difference between brands
Leccybill
What is the reference range for your FT4, ranges vary from lab to lab so to interpret your result we need to know the range that came with it.
When did you take your last dose of Levo before the test? It should be 24 hours before the blood draw.
T3 is no use from a different test, it has to be done at the same time as TSH and FT4 to see how well you convert T4 to T3.
TSH 0.35 - 5.0 and T4 11 - 23
I took my medication as usual 7.30 ish and had the blood test at 9.30
Leccybill
TSH 0.88 (0.35 - 5.0)
T4 17.8 (11 - 23)
I took my medication as usual 7.30 ish and had the blood test at 9.30
To get a measure of normal amount of circulating hormone we should leave 24 hours between last dose of Levo and blood draw. Levo peaks in the blood 2-4 hours after ingestion so by testing after taking your dose you measure your hormone level at it's peak, so you have a false high FT4.
The aim of a treated hypo patient on Levo only, generally, is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges if that is where you feel well.
Your result shows your FT4 to be 57%through it's range.
If you take into account that you have a false high FT4, and your normal circulating amount will be a fair bit lower, you could well be undermedicated.
How do you feel?
Hello Leccybil.
I started on 110 Thyroxin but my T.S.H. quickly rose to 26 whilst taking 150 of thyroxin daily. Ouch! I should have been hospitalised but I made an appointment with an Endocrinologist who stopped the thyroxin and changed my treatment for EUTHYRAL. My T.S.H. dropped to 0.44 within one month and has been around 0.44 ever since. Ask your GP for a referal to an Endocrinologist or if you can finance a visit yourself do it sooner than later. Thyroxin ,or Levothyroxin is not the be all and end all of thyriod treatment. Good luck
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