Hi,
I've just had my first blood test back from 'monitor my health' I wonder if anyone can help me interpret them please?
TSH is 1.94 mu/L (normal range 0.27 - 4.2 mU/L)
THYROXINE is 13.1 pmol/L, FT4 levels normal (normal range 12 - 22 pmol/L)
TRIODOTHYRONINE is 5.3 pmol/L, FT3 levels normal (normal range 3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L)
I have just about every symptom of Hypothyroid of which tiredness is the worst, which Is why I took the test. The thyroxine obviously looks low, though 2 points inside the low range, but doesn't that mean my TSH should be high?
Thank you.
Help With Interpreting Husband's Thyroid Test Results Pls :)
Help please with interpreting test results.
Advice interpreting my thyroid test results please!
Sorry to hear you're feeling poorly, tiredjoe55 .
Technically, you're in-range but even so, you could experience every symptom associated with thyroid disease. Sometimes symptoms of hypothyroidism overlap with symptoms associated with deficiencies in vitamin D, B12 and folate. Have you had these checked?
More importantly, have you ever had your iron profile (incl. ferritin, transferrin etc.) checked using a full iron panel blood test? You could be anaemic or be at the brink of developing it. Getting a full blood count would be helpful in seeing how your iron and and blood profile look (e.g. hematocrit, MCV etc - how much/little oxygen is being circulated in the blood and so on).
You might want to get these checked by your GP. If they don't want to, stick to your guns. Change GP until you find one who is willing to order a test for you.
I found out that I had both hypo and anaemia, with many symptoms overlapping despite being in range but on the lower side (but that's because I've also been supplementing with OTC options and tailored my diet for many years while grappling with my health, trying to understand what's going on. Apparently OTC was too weak and got a prescription instead). Symptoms ranged from ridged, weak nails, loss of hair, feeling cold to depressed mood, breathlessness and random pains and aches. An underactive thyroid amplified those symptoms and I would often reach out to electrolyte-rich drinks until a few months into treatment.
Iron fuels the thyroid, so it's important to ensure that both are in tandem. How's your diet? Do you ever have any cravings for sweet things?
Taking a hot Epsom salt bath or rubbing some magnesium gel helps mitigate some of the aches. Popping a magnesium tablet with a painkiller helps, too.
Thank you very much naryshkin, that is an amazing reply. I will look into vitamin and Iron profiles.
Happy to help! Been in the same place, the least I can do is to shine a light in the same way the others did to me
You learn A LOT by sitting on this forum and at one point, you'll know more about thyroids and nutrients than your GP.
Low Vitamin D btw causes depression/anxiety and achy joints in some people. And so does iron. Most articles say that people lose weight because of anaemia, but that's not always the case - some struggle with water retention despite cutting on salt and eating less, whereas others eat more and drink more coffee as a result of the sensation of feeling more fatigued, hoping to compensate on what is perceived as exhaustion derived from poor sleep. How do you sleep btw? Do you keep a diary of your symptoms? Could be helpful if you feel your mind or judgement is clouded.
It's pretty amazing seeing how iron is so essential in our bodies since it is effectively like a fuel to keeping organs running. My IBS was godawful when I was anaemic but not even the Ever-So-Brilliant Gastro Queen at Guy's Hospital thought twice about testing for nutrients and thyroids (this was before going on those OTC supplements, just about kept my head above the surface). My GP at the time put me on Chernobyl-strength Vitamin D which eased some symptoms and I became a smidgeon happier.
That's really interesting, the only symptom I haven't got, in the list of low thyroid symptoms, is weight gain. in fact I am currently losing weight through eating carefully. (not dieting). I sleep restlessly for 9 hours or more every night, wake up tired and have to nap in the day. Memory is rubbish, motivation is zero, libido gone, and though my natural state is bouncy and happy, I'm now getting regular bouts of depression.Def going to check Iron and D. Thank you.
If of solace, my memory, mood and motivation improved once boosting on the iron and vit D. Libido still takes time, but I can live with that as long as I'm able to get by every day. Mind you, it's been 6 months on treatment so only upwards and onwards.
Good luck and remember don't take no for an answer!