is a TSH test enough? I'm new to this

[Quiltyqueen]

I had a hemithyroidectomy in May and I've just had test result from local hospital. My TSH was 2.06miu/L ( 0.35 - 4.78) .should I seek a more comprehensive test? I am 68 and I have Parkinson's disease. The test was done at lunchtime.

[fuchsia-pink]

Welcome to the forum

Simple answer to your question - no, it's not enough but it's often all the GP will do. FULL testing would be: TSH, free T4, free T3, thyroid antibodies and key nutrients - ferritin, folate, vit D and B12. I've had some success with my GP by saying that these are the tests recommended by Thyroid UK - but ifs/he can't or won't do the tests you need, you will see LOTS of posts here about private testing.

How do you feel?

Going forwards always have an early morning blood test - no later than 9.30 as TSH is highest in the morning (and lowest at lunchtime ...) Good luck x

ps love the kitten

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Essential to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Looking like Parkinson’s is also often linked with low vitamin D too

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Getting full thyroid and vitamin testing recommended

Always test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water

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

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 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...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

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.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

[2leapittoo]

Poor you and I send our best thoughts as pd is awful. My Tony has it 10 yr now along with other issues. Keep brave. Chrisxxx

[pennyannie]

Hello Quiltyqueen and welcome to the forum :

And in short - NO - a TSH isn't enough - but in primary care, it's likely that this is all you are going to get :

Are you still under the hospital as they, at least, seem to be able to get a T3 and T4 blood test result and range, alongside a TSH reading ?

The TSH was originally introduced as a diagnostic tool to help identify a case of hypothyroidism and was never intended to be used in isolation when the patient was on any form of thyroid hormone replacement.

If you onto the Thyroid UK website you can read up o all things thyroid and there is also a section on private companies who can run the correct blood tests for you, and some offer a nurse home visit to draw the blood for you.

If your doctor can't run the appropriate blood test, the private option is the route to take, many of us have to do this, to get the right information and then simply post all the results and ranges back up on here, in a new post, and you will be advised of your next steps back to better health.

[Quiltyqueen in reply to pennyannie]

I'm not under the NHS hospital as I had the hemithyroidectomy done under my health insurance. I am thinking that I may seek an appointment with an endocrinologist and get the full thyroid screening done before I see my neurologist in a couple of months. Thanks for your advice. Take care x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Quiltyqueen]

Just book private full thyroid and vitamin testing FIRST before considering booking any thyroid specialist endocrinologist

Come back with new post once you get results

If you don’t have test results before consultation it’s waste of time and money

[Quiltyqueen in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for the advice. I will seek tests and come back to you.

[pennyannie in reply to Quiltyqueen]

Yes, get the tests done before you see the specialist as then we can talk you though the results and advise of your next best steps.

Then you will be better prepared for your appointment with the medical mainstream and have an understanding of any relevant questions and answers that maybe needed to be discussed.