THYROID TEST AT LAST

[Jaycee40]

After many years of trying to get a proper Thyroid test I’ve now had one but don’t know what the results mean. I’ve a verbal appointment booked with a Doctor as my results were abnormal. This is what I can ‘read’ from the test - Serum C reactive protein level - 21.0 pmol/L. Serum free T4 level 21.0. Serum TSH level 0.58 MU/l. I hoe there is someone out there who can enlighten me please. I had the blood test at 14.30 but did not take my usual Thyroxine 100 that day which was 33 hours after my previous Thyroxine. Thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Please add ranges (figures in brackets after each result)

Sorry to say just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate

Always test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Testing at 2pm is when TSH is lowest

You want highest TSH

Ft4, can’t say anything about result without range

But last dose levothyroxine should be 24 hours before test

Are you in the U.K.?

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease

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

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...

[Jaycee40 in reply to SlowDragon]

The only figures I’ve “found” on my page of their website is as follows T4 level 21.0 pmo/L (11.0 -22.0): TSH level 0.58 mu/L (0.27 - 4.2) . There is no further information & no I have not been sent this information yet but have a telephone appointment in a few days time.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jaycee40]

Then like thousands of U.K. patients you will have to test privately

You need to know if you have autoimmune thyroid disease by testing thyroid antibodies, and test vitamin levels once year.

And essential to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together.

Always test thyroid early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test (not longer)

Come back with new post once you get results

[Suecoo66 in reply to SlowDragon]

If you don't take medication when is the best time to test?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Suecoo66]

Early morning, ideally Before 9am gives highest TSH

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Jaycee40

Serum C reactive protein level - 21.0 pmol/L.

This is an inflammation marker. Usual range is <5 or <10 so it pretty certain that yours is over range and confirming inflammation somewhere. It is a non-specific marker so will show inflammation but doesn't indicate where. It can be due to infection and if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune (Hashimoto's) then this can also sometimes cause raised CRP.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

With high Ft4 33 hours after last dose

You’re either over medicated or have poor conversion of Ft4 to Ft3

Will need to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together plus all four vitamin levels

TSH daily variation

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

So it’s important when you test TSH ....

researchgate.net/publicatio...

“According to the current TSH reference interval, hypothyroidism was not diagnosed in about 50% of the cases in the afternoon.”

“Further analysis demonstrated inadequate compensation of hypothyroidism, which was defined in 45.5% of the morning samples and in 9% of the afternoon samples”

If delaying taking levothyroxine until after blood test, you likely want to not eat or drink anything apart from water before taking levothyroxine

It may (or may not) make a difference to TSH if fasting ….opinions differ

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/a...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/252...