NHS Blood test results

[Jelley93]

Hello again, last week I had another routine thyroid function blood test at my surgery. Touch-wood I have been a lot better since April/May. Waking up early before breakfast to take my 125mcg dosage. I am also supplementing VIT D/B12/B COMPLEX and selenium and magnesium. Now my results are below only showing TSH AND T4

T4 Level 23 9.0-25

TSH 0.11

It says its an abnormal result and I am to speak with the GP, I thought a very low tsh and a high T4 was the optimum result

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Was test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Did you stop vitamin B complex a week before test?

As vitamin B complex contains biotin this can falsely affect test results

Just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate

Important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together

If Ft3 is not over range, you’re not over medicated

If you feel well refuse to reduce dose

Important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Jelley93

I thought a very low tsh and a high T4 was the optimum result

Optimal is where you feel best, only you will know where that is.

Did you take your last dose of Levo 24 hours before the test?

Did you stop the B Complex for 7 days before the test?

It says abnormal result because TSH is below range. Your GP won't like it but your FT4 is within range. However, it's the FT3 result that tells us if we are overmedicated and that hasn't been tested.

TSH isn't a thyroid hormone, it's a signal from the pituitary. You are taking Levo so the pituitary is satisfied and not calling for the thyroid to make hormone so it is low.

If GP wants to reduce your dose, insist on FT3 being tested alongside FT4.

[Jelley93 in reply to SeasideSusie]

At the moment I'm feeling really good. I don't want a situation where they tell me to reduce back to 100 then I go back to square one. Yes test was done with the above procedure. I've been really strict regarding medication. Taking it 1-2 hours pre breakfast.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jelley93]

So insist on FT3 being tested along with FT4 before agreeing to any reduction.