Hi. I’m new to this forum and joined after a recommendation from a friend who has hypothyroidism.
I had a blood test in June 2021 because of extreme fatigue. TFT came back fine but ferritin level was 9. Commenced on ferrous sulphate for 3 months, bloods re-tested and ferritin was 27. Told to stay on the ferrous sulphate for another 3 months, which after this I felt great. Fatigue has slowly been creeping back so requested my bloods to be repeated. Ferritin 66 but FT4 is 8.9 and TSH is 51.5. Had a call from GP on Monday and they have started me on 125mg of Levothyroxine.
My friend said the TSH is very high, to say that it was normal in June 2021, and she can’t believe that I am still functioning.
Any advice would be appreciated as no real information from the GP, only that I need my bloods re-checking in 8 weeks and it will be trial and error to get my levels within normal range.
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TraceyT30
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Hi TraceyT30, welcome to the forum. Please can you supply the ranges (in brackets) for your test results. Different laboratories use different ranges, so we need to see these before offering advice. I’m glad your GP has prescribed you Levothyroxine, did they suggest starting at 125mcg or working up to this dose?
A starter dose for Levothyroxine is often 50mcg, with increases after retesting at 6-8 weeks. I definitely need to increase slowly, as I couldn’t tolerate so much.
I’m so glad that your GP has helped address your ferritin levels. It’s also important to check folate, Vit B12 and Vit D, as these are often low in those with thyroid conditions. It is definitely worth asking your GP to test these.
Have you had antibodies checked at all, to identify if you have an auto immune thyroid condition (aka Hashimotos)?
Modern thinking suggests starting at full dose based on your weight
But often patients are started at 50mcg and increased slowly upwards in 25mcg steps…..retesting 6-8 weeks after each increase
Which brand of levothyroxine are you started on
Many people find different brands are not interchangeable
Have you had thyroid antibodies tested yet?
Or vitamin D, folate and B12
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
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