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.
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tiredjoe55
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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.
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!
Well you won't get treatment from the GP with a TSH that's low-ish in range, despite the low but just-in-range (11% through range) free T4 - and your free T3 is a pretty respectable 59.45% through range ... but that doesn't belittle the symptoms you are feeling.
I'd suggest you test nutrients next, and improve any that need help and see what that dose. Then, in a few months, re-test TSH and free T4 - along with antibodies. You may get treated if free T4 drops below range (and it's only just scraped into range at the moment) if you also have high antibodies
The thyroxine obviously looks low, though 2 points inside the low range, but doesn't that mean my TSH should be high?
Not necessarily because your FT3 is above mid-range.
Having said that, your TSH IS actually high - too high for someone on thyroid hormone replacement. You are under-medicated and need an increase in dose.
Ah, I see. Sorry for making assumptions. In that case, then yes, your TSH should be higher. So, maybe you're looking at Central hypo, here. Central hypo is when the fault lies with the pituitary or the hypothalamus, failing to produce enough TSH to stimulate the thyroid. What does your doctor say about these results?
Ahh, that makes sense. I haven't talked to my doc yet. Only just got these results. I'm going to look into vitamin D and Iron though, based on some other replies.
Yes, they could very well be low because you've been hypo for a while. But, if your problem is CH, they're not going to change much. Although, some of your symptoms could be due to low nutrients, it's true.
Mmm ... The fT4 is quite low yes, but the relatively higher fT3 level (50% through range) also influences the TSH. so that may be why TSH is not higher .
When the thyroid is struggling to make enough T4 there is an effect of increasing the amount of T3 produced by the thyroid , and also the conversion of T4 into T3 by the cells improves.. it does this to keep the quick acting (T3) at a decent level.
So , say 'your' normal healthy TSH was a bit less than1, and 'your' normal fT4 was 17 , but your thyroid is now only managing to make enough T4 to get fT4 to 13... then the pituitary notices and increases TSH to nearly 2... this makes the thyroid make more T3 than it usually does and make T4 into T3 more efficiently,,
So that is one explanation for why TSH may not be high yet, even though fT4 is so low.
I had a lowish FT4 (14) with low TSH (0.42) leading up to diagnosis and treatment, and wondered if it could be central hypothyroidism in addition to my autoimmune thyroiditis, particularly as I've had a couple of minor head injuries. However, I believe test results can look odd early on, particularly if there's a swing from hyper to hypo, or when the thyroid is trying to live up to expectations, as explained by tattybogle. It would be good if you could have regular testing, say every three or six months, from now on.
Whilst you’re doing iron and vitamin d get them to test your vitamin b and folate as well. Your low libido and depression could be signs of vit b deficiency. I hope you get some answers soon and can get back to your old self.
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You learn A LOT by sitting on this forum and at one point, you'll know more about thyroids and nutrients than your GP. 
test interpretation help please 
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Help please with interpreting test results.
