I just don't understand this change in test results!

[Kdbear]

Hi there! Just joined this site, hope someone can assist me i n understanding! Been on Levothyroxine for prob 30 years, 100 mcg daily. Never had a med change, or problem. 8/20 bloodwork TSH Level was .94, cool! 07/21 TSH is 6.55. Doc says take an additional half tab twice a week and get new bloodwork in 4 months, yawn. I am just wondering what caused this change? I believe that the higher level indicates a need for more hormone, but why? I have noticed weight gain, I am pretty lazy, guess these could be symptoms or just my current lifestyle of quarantining. Could anyone shed an insight why my levels would "suddenly" change at this point? I'm a 66 year old female. Thanks!

[greygoose]

That's hardly a sudden change. Those two results are a year apart. A lot can happen in a year. However, just testing the TSH is totally inadeuate. She also needs results for FT4 and FT3, because those results could explain the rise in TSH.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Which brand

Many people find different brands are not interchangeable

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking, if any

Vitamin levels often drop as we get older

Do you know if the cause of your hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

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 at least annually

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...

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

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

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...