Hey guys
I posted here couple days ago as a newbie ! Last 6/9 months tired , hot flashes no motivation! I am currently on 100 mg levothroxine
These are last results ( hard enough just getting these off receptionist)
TSH 1.6 ( 0.27 - 4.20 )
Free T4 24.7 (12.0 - 22.0 )
GP suggested to lower dose to 75 mg an see if I feel better
Does this make sense , sorry if lack of relevant info
Many thanks 🙏
Never agree to dose reduction based just on TSH and Ft4 results
Always test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Was this how you did this test
Request GP test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 BEFORE you consider reducing dose levothyroxine
Plus thyroid antibodies test for autoimmune thyroid disease if not been tested yet
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 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis) usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
In U.K. medics never call it Hashimoto’s, just autoimmune thyroid disease (and they usually ignore the autoimmune aspect)
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
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
List of private testing options and money off codes
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 and antibodies 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...
NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via
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.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
Thanks !!
I had already had bloods done before I came across this site I’ve just been trying plodding along in ignorance . I am due to get bloods done again so will speak to gp prior to having them take.
I do have some vit levels checked annually and again I need to understand which ones !
Hello Nutty and welcome to forum:
Yes we all plod along until push comes to shove and start to find ourselves looking for the answers :
T4 - Levothyroxine is a storage hormone that needs to be converted by your body into T3 the active hormone that runs your body, and it is the T3 that gives you your wellness or ' not ' if it is not at a high enough level in the range for you.
Conversion of T4 into T3 can be compromised by non optimal levels of ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D and conversion can also be compromised by inflammation, any physical stress ( emotional or physical ) depression, dieting and ageing, so whilst we can't turn back time we can get some of this sorted for ourselves to optimize the thyroid hormone replacement.
If your doctor isn't able to run the appropriate blood tests for you there is a list of private companies who can and you will find this information along with all things thyroid on the Thyroid UK website which is the charity who supports this forum.
Ideally we need a ' thyroid bundle ' or a ' thyroid extra ' set of blood tests and ranges to include a TSH, T3. T4, antibodies, inflammation and ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D and it's around 10 individual blood test results.
Once with this information simply start a new post with the results and ranges and you will have everything explained to you and this is where we all start off finding our way back to better thyroid health.
Which ultimately means better overall health as the thyroid is the body's engine and deserves an MOT and service - and on which the yearly NHS thyroid blood test falls very short on recording anything sensible or reliable.
As once on any form of thyroid hormone replacement it is essential to run a TSH, T3 and T4 and be dosed and monitored on where your T3 and T4 readings sit, in relation to each other.
Thanks for taking the time to explain ! It’s sad we have to dig around so much to try and get help/answers . It was hard to get any explanation from my gp she just kept repeating yr levels are high so maybe the private route is the answer!
Not necessarily :
It'll be cheaper running the blood tests yourself first anyway - and then just throw the results and ranges up on here for considered opinion.
You find more common sense . knowledge and advice here than you'll find anywhere else.
It's where we all start and you too can become your own best advocate and turn most if not all of this around for yourself with a little bit of help.
If suffering with the ' brain fog ' it does all sink in, so don't worry, just start reading up and you'll see yourself here in many other guises but the basics are the same and you too can take steps back to health once we have the necessary information.
Thyroid UK also hold a list of recommended endos and specialist - information on the website - but first foremost get the blood tests actioned privately if your doctor can't help and at least then you're ready for the next step you wish to take.
Thanks again
Come back with new post once you get FULL Thyroid and vitamin results
Will do !
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