Can anyone advise if I'm heading in the right direction please?

[FMHC23]

Good afternoon (just) I was just wondering if anyone could confirm I'm heading in the right direction with these results please? (Attached) I'm hoping so. I've been taking 100mcg Levothyroxine and be advised to continue with the same dose.

My previous results 6wks ago were

TSH - 49.60 (0.3 - 5.6)

Free T4 - 6.4 (6.3 - 14)

This was my first blood test results following RAI in June and I was then put on Levothyroxine 100mcg. I did ask my consultant check my B12, folate etc levels as some of you advised but he refused so I'll probably get these done privately.

[tattybogle]

Yes they are definitely gong in the right direction . fT4 is now top of range when it had previously been very low.

The TSH is still FAR too high .. but TSH can be much slower to move than fT4 levels ... so since fT4 level is slightly over range i think it sounds right to wait a bit longer on 100mcg and see if TSH lowers further in another few weeks .

[tattybogle in reply to tattybogle]

p.s how many hours before this (latest) blood test did you take your last dose of Levo ?

[FMHC23 in reply to tattybogle]

Thank you for your reply. I had my blood test done just before 10am as I couldn't get booked in any earlier but didn't eat or drink beforehand and my last dose of Levothyroxine was taken over 24hrs prior.

[tattybogle in reply to FMHC23]

Ok . was just checking that the high fT4 wasn't a 'false high' showing a dose taken a few hrs earlier. The time of test is not so relevant when you are still dealing with TSH at this high a level, so don't worry about this one being done at 10am. ( early a.m test matters more when TSH result is close to /in range because the smallish difference in result between early am and later might mean the difference between getting a diagnosis / dose increase ... or not)

[FMHC23 in reply to tattybogle]

Ahh ok that's really helpful to know for the future when my TSH is close to or within range. Thank you

[tattybogle in reply to FMHC23]

it does seem a bit odd that fT4 is so high.. would be interesting to see what fT3 level is. but if they left you without levo for long enough for your TSH to get as high as 49 before treating you , and you've only been on it for 6 weeks , i guess it might just take a bit of time for things to settle down, and for you to start feeling better for more than a day or two at a time.... you had become VERY hypothyroid before they gave you levo... and i assume this will take quite some time to all you various cells/ bodily functions to recover from.

[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

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate

How do you feel?

TSH is obviously far too high

High Ft4…..either you took levothyroxine few hours before test or you may be poor converter of Ft4 to Ft3

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

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...

If you can get GP to test vitamins 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

Have you had coeliac blood test done?

[FMHC23 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your reply. I had my blood test done just before 10am as I couldn't get booked in any earlier but didn't eat or drink beforehand and my last dose of Levothyroxine was taken over 24hrs prior.I have days where I think I'm feeling a bit better but then the next I have terrible headaches, extreme fatigue and muscle aches, restless legs and very anxious.

I've been taking Northstar.

It's all a bit of a minefield and I appreciate everyone's advise/input.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to FMHC23]

I have terrible headaches, extreme fatigue and muscle aches, restless legs and very anxious.

Restless legs is often low iron/ferritin and/or low magnesium

Headaches, anxiety, fatigue are common hypothyroid symptoms and should improve

Suggest you get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done privately ….come back with new post once you get results

Only do private test early Monday or Tuesday morning and then post back via tracked postal service

Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg are Accord brand

Boxed as Almus via Boots or Northstar via Lloyds

BEWARE Northstar 25mcg is Teva brand

[FMHC23 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much I appreciate the info and will go down the route of private blood tests. I do think I'm starting to feel a bit better so feel a bit more positive and this site definitely helps.Thank you again.

[pennyannie]

Hey there again :

I haven't my blood test results from back in 2005 so can't compare, but yes, you are going in the right direction.

Are you feeling any better ?

I was immediately put on 100 T4 but had no follow up scans to asses the state of my gland.

I was well on the Carbimazole and equally well after RAI - all my problems started about 8 years later.

Can't add much more than my longish reply on your first post.

Keep us in the " loop " and take good care.

[FMHC23 in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you, appreciate your reply. Hope you're well and take care too!

[pennyannie in reply to FMHC23]

Just seen your reply above regarding current symptoms :

Be kind to yourself - it's hard when nothing is visible as some people don't really get it:

Arrange your own vitamins and mineral blood tests, as suggested, as these other symptoms can be experienced when hypothyroid and when the T4 is struggling to converting well into T3.

Everywhere I read said ferritin needs to be up, over and maintained at over 70 for Levothyroxine to work well ?