Recent bloods

[Headandneck72]

Recent bloods showing normal - I’m in 100mmg levo? Does this mean I’m doing ok now and I’m on correct dosage ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How do you feel

Have you been taking levothyroxine everyday, without fail

Always getting same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Recommend getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done

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

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate, especially after a period of stopping levothyroxine and high TSH…..can result in low vitamin levels and these can take long time to recover

[Headandneck72 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes was taken in morning at 9.30 and I have been taking 100mmg everyday religiously without stopping since September same brand! GP just tested TSH wouldn't test full function and I can’t keep paying for private as can’t afford it at the moment. Last private test wasn’t successful either

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Headandneck72]

How do you feel?

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Which brand of levothyroxine are you taking

Monitor My Health Is cheapest for just testing TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 at £26.10 (get code for 10% off on Thyroid U.K. )

[Headandneck72 in reply to SlowDragon]

No vitamins - I’m taking murcury - just going to check the blood test you suggested - I paid £60 odd before

[tattybogle in reply to Headandneck72]

"i'm taking murcury" ...... i really hope that is a typo ?

[Headandneck72 in reply to tattybogle]

Mercury pharmacy Levo - yes a typo! What did you think I was consuming quicksilver/hydrargyrum? I would be feeling poorly then wouldn’t i

[tattybogle in reply to Headandneck72]

oh . of course .. now i've engaged my brain i feel very silly.

[Headandneck72 in reply to tattybogle]

SlowDragon understood from the conversation we were having….

[FancyPants54 in reply to Headandneck72]

The more expensive tests usually test other things as well as TSH, FT3 and FT4. But Monitor My Health is a good place to get a basic set of tests to see how you are doing. I sent a test off to them yesterday. It's an NHS lab that processes the bloods too, which might help if your GP doesn't want to take notice.

[Headandneck72 in reply to SlowDragon]

I’ve just ordered the blood test - that’s a good price

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Headandneck72]

Only test early Monday or Tuesday morning and then post back via tracked postal service straight away

Don’t test if weather is freezing or snowy

If taking any supplements that contain biotin stop these a week before test as biotin can falsely affect test results

[Headandneck72 in reply to SlowDragon]

Ok will do - that is so much

[fuchsia-pink in reply to Headandneck72]

SeasideSusie does some great tips on how to do a home blood test - click on her name and check out replies to other people x

[Headandneck72 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Oh great will do thanks

[jimh111]

How do you feel? If you feel OK fine but looking at your history you might be a little under medicated. Your doctors have dithered and messed you about so if you are not well I think you should insist on getting a full thyroid profile (TSH, fT3, fT4) and adequate treatment. Obviously be very polite but quite firm.

[Headandneck72 in reply to jimh111]

Yes I think you’re right - I’m tired and put on 10kg. Also struggle to even get through to GP surgery. I’ve messaged my clinical nurses with the request as they usually will help me. I’ve said it’s been suggested I get a full profile done asap

[jimh111 in reply to Headandneck72]

It’s tricky as the labs often refuse to do fT3 for GPs. If this happens I’d send a friendly complaint to the hospital saying you have not been treated well and need to get sorted soon, could they either run the test or arrange for a specialist to help you. You are probably in for a long slog, just relax and keep at it.

[Headandneck72 in reply to jimh111]

I’ve just presented a test that slowdragon suggested - I’ll do that and post the results and maybe I can increase my meds

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Headandneck72]

Hi

I used MMH just before Xmas, they use an NHS lab so it will be harder for your GP to dismiss it as a "private" test. Sent mine back via special delivery and got my results the next day.

[Headandneck72 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

That’s handy to know thank you

[Headandneck72]

**purchased

[Baggiesfan]

I have to buy my own tests too, as do most of us unfortunately. I spoke to my gp yesterday and asked if the surgery would do tsh, T3 and T3 as the private endo had written in his letter to them and I got a point blank no. Same as he said refer me to cardiologist for my ectopic heartbeats. They've requested a 24 hour tape and said if that's normal they won't refer. Completely against what endo has requested, and I was very polite too 😊. Treatment is very poor for thyroid patients and we have to fight and pay all the time. Take all the help and advice offered from the knowledgeable people on here, I certainly appreciate it.

[Headandneck72 in reply to Baggiesfan]

Yes thanks for your advice, my cancer nurses usually step in and help me I’ve contacted them so they will most prob get me I. For the bloods and vit test and then I can use my private test in six weeks time when I’ve potentially increased my dosage..I’ve managed to over stock so I can manage my dosage myself without any issues

[rosetrees]

Whichever lab/surgery wrote those results should be ashamed of themselves. There is no such thing as the "normal range". It is the "reference range" - a range worked out using a mathematical formula so that it covers 90% of results. That is literally what it is. It tells you nothing about what is "normal" for you - or anyone else. Nor does it tell you where in the range you personally become symptomatic. It simply means that only 10% of people can/will be diagnosed as hypo/hyper - and some of those will be asymptomatic.

[Headandneck72 in reply to rosetrees]

Wow really - this was taken at hospital

[rosetrees]

This is how my local hospital told me they decide the ranges. They aren't allowed (they told me) to take blood tests from healthy volunteers. They use blood that has been sent in for testing, taken from patients who don't have a known history of thyroid problems, (but who may be unwell - I've added that bit myself). They work out the average (not sure if it is the median, mode or mean figure) then apply 2 standard deviations to make a range that covers 95% of the population. In other words, it is a mathematically derived range.

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