I’ve been having multiple symptoms for a while now so ordered a private blood test just to check as my doctors isn’t doing non urgent bloods still.
Results show a low FT4, on both the tests I’ve had done. Is there anyway to increase this without medication? Doctor ordered more tests but as they’re non urgent I can’t get these done.
I’m just exhausted all the time, hair falling out, weight gain, cold and quite frankly moody as hell along with other things.
I’ll post the test results, they’re not exceptionally low but I’m not sure where to go with the doctors not doing anything.
I can’t post the 2nd set of bloods but my TSH 2.2 FT4 11.6 these were done last week.
Thanks
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Nikki7462
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Is there anyway to increase this without medication?
No, basically. Your body produces thyroid hormone, if you don't produce enough it has to be replaced with synthetic hormone.
Results show a low FT4, on both the tests I’ve had done.
Doctor ordered more tests but as they’re non urgent I can’t get these done.
My surgery is now doing routine tests so I would ask again.
So if you've had more than one below range FT4 then it looks like you have a problem.
I am not medically trained, and I am not diagnosing, but what could be indicated here is Central Hypothyroidism. This is where the problem lies with the hypothalamus or the pituitary rather than a problem with the thyroid gland. With Central Hypothyroidism the TSH can be low, normal or slightly raised, and the FT4 will be low.
TSH is a pituitary hormone, the pituitary checks to see if there is enough thyroid hormone, if not it sends a message to the thyroid to produce some. That message is TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). In Primary Hypothyroidism the TSH will be high. If there is enough hormone then there's no need for the pituitary to send the message to the thyroid so TSH remains low.
However, with Central Hypothyroidism the signal isn't getting through for whatever reason so the message isn't getting through to the thyroid to produce hormone, hence low FT4. It could be due to a problem with the pituitary (Secondary Hypothyroidism) or the hypothalamus (Tertiary Hypothyroidism).
As Central Hypothyroidism isn't as common as Primary Hypothyroidism it's likely that your GP hasn't come across it before.
Your GP can look at BMJ Best Practice for information - here is something you can read without needing to be subscribed:
You could do some more research, print out anything that may help and show your GP.
You may need to be referred to an endocrinologist. If so then please make absolutely sure that it is a thyroid specialist that you see. Most endos are diabetes specialists and know little about the thyroid gland (they like to think they do and very often end up making us much more unwell that we were before seeing them). You can email ThyroidUK at
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
for the list of thyroid friendly endos. Then ask on the forum for feedback on any that you can get to. Then if your GP refers you, make sure it is to one recommended here. It's no guarantee that they will understand Central Hypothyroidism but it's better than seeing a diabetes specialist. You could also ask on the forum if anyone has been successful in getting a diagnosis of Central Hypothyroidism, possibly in your area which you'll have to mention of course.
PS - You can only post one picture in the opening post of a thread, but further pictures can be posted in "Replies" - again one per reply, you click on the last icon in the row beneath the message box, the one with themountains and the sun.
Have you had thyroid antibodies tested or vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
If not, these need testing ASAP
Were thyroid tests you have had done as early as possible in morning- this gives highest TSH
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
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
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease). Ord’s is autoimmune without goitre.
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
This isn't a permanent solution, that would require proper treatment with thyroid hormones for life, but improving nutrients might make a big difference to how well you feel while you wait for the health service to diagnose you.
Your t4 is lower than the standard range, Your tsh slightly elevated and you have hypo symptoms. The standard treatment is to initially be prescribed levothyroxine to see if your symptoms improve. Following this then further blood work can be carried out as other replies have detailed above.
You really need and deserve to be appropriately cared for by the health service.
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