Understanding test results

[Samba50]

I have a GP app tomorrow and annual blood test checkup in next couple of weeks. I requested my results for last few years. See attached. I have been unable to work in last year as I have chronic health conditions. I’m not sure if I am on right dosage of Levothyroxine been on 150mcg for many years and first diagnosed with under active thyroid 26 years ago. Any advice appreciated. Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Last test from Aug 2020 only included TSH

Obviously just testing TSH is completely inadequate

No vitamin D, folate, ferritin and or B12 results at all

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking, if any

No thyroid antibodies or Ft3 results

Do you know if you have autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

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...

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

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 too

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...

[Samba50 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks this is all very helpful. No I’ve never done tests that way as I would always have medication first thing in morning so before any appointment. I don’t know if auto immune etc I just take zinc and turmeric supplements.

[Jazzw]

I suspect you’re slightly (if not more than slightly) undermedicated. As Slowdragon has said, it’s not enough just to test TSH. And your TSH has crept up this last couple of years.

Ideally, your doctor would test FT4 and FT3 but they may refuse. Even so, it might be worth asking if you could try an increase in dosage. Many patients on levothyroxine feel best with a TSH below 1.0 (much lower than 1.0 in some cases!).

[Samba50 in reply to Jazzw]

Thanks for this info very helpful.