Thyroid blood test results. Normal but....?

[LouiseMorgan]

Hi. Im sure you get too many of these posts but you guys are the experts! Could someone please help me and let me know what you think? There is a history of thyroid problems in my family. I have low heart rate which zooms up on mild exercise and they wanted to treat me with betablockers.. but these only make my existing low bpm worse so I've resisted so far. I suspect I have an underactive thyroid, but I've just received the blood tests and were told my thyroid results are "normal"... however looking on the web they may actually not be. The TSH is 2.91 and the Free T4 is 9.2. I want to discuss the results with my GP but I just want to be sure Im on the right track. Many thanks in anticipation.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Please add range on Ft4 (looks very low)

Just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate

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

When were vitamin levels last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

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

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

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...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

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...

[LouiseMorgan in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks that's really helpful. Just what I needed! Really appreciated

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to LouiseMorgan]

Come back with new post once you get results

[LouiseMorgan in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes will do. I will now be able to push a bit more with the GP (who just wants to give beta blockers and anti depressants) and failing that I'll get some private tests and also getting vitamin levels etc checked is an excellent idea. I'll report back on the findings

[Hidden]

Be aware that Propranolol is a BB which inhibits FT4 to FT3 conversion. As far as I know, the others present no problems in that area.

[Sboop]

It would be helpful to include the rerference ranges for your thyroid numbers. The t4 looks low. T3?

[LouiseMorgan in reply to Sboop]

Hi. Thanks. You've all been so helpful already. I've just got a print off and the range for the free T4 level test is 7.7 - 20.6 pmol/L (Result = 9.2) The range for TSH is 0.30 - 4.80mlU/L (and the result = 2.91 - however I read somewhere that 95% of the population are below 2.5?) No T3 test result that I can see.

[Sboop]

Suggest you check out Micki Rose - Pure Health Clinic over there - Cornwall She is online and you can order information, tests, supplements from Her. Very helpful.