Test results and weight loss

[Etch43]

My recent blood test results are serum TSH level 0.22ml/UL

Serum FreeT4 level 25.8 pmol/L

I am slightly anaemic, too

Would these levels cause weight loss as I have a stone in weight since Jan.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

It could be, if the FT4 is above range. Although you haven’t added a range so we can’t accurately interpret.

Ranges vary between labs so we are guessing without lab range.

Which brand & what dose are you currently taking?

Is your ferritin low? If other nutrients such as folate, B12 & Vit D are low too you could have poor FT3 despite high FT4. So you need that tested too.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you still on 75mcg and 100mcg alternate days

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine for both doses

Was test done early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Please add range on Ft4 result and add iron/ferritin results

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Just testing TSH and Ft4 is 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

On levothyroxine we need OPTIMAL Vitamin levels

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

Do you have 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 hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

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...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

[Etch43 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have no thyroid due to thyroid cancer many years ago. I was changed to takinking 100 levothyroxine- ( accord) which I take at night. Can’t get endo To do a full range of tests. I am not too good at posting bit have just added a pic of my largest test results

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Etch43]

Thousands upon thousands of U.K. Thyroid patients forced to test privately to make progress

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning

Suggest you work on improving low iron and ferritin for 6-8 weeks and then get private testing

Stop taking iron supplements a week before testing ferritin levels

Testing ferritin should be fasting test….and don’t eat iron rich dinner night before test

Examples of test results

Medichecks

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Blue horizon results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Results on this other post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Please can you add info

What time was test done

Was last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Please add iron and ferritin results and ranges

What iron supplements has GP prescribed

All iron supplements must be minimum 4 hours away from levothyroxine

2 hours away from any other medications or supplements

[Etch43 in reply to SlowDragon]

Blood test 9.30amLast Levo at 3am

I take Active Iron in the evening

Text

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Etch43]

So your Ft4 is falsely high as last dose levothyroxine was only 6 hours before test

No ferritin result

You need to test folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

Vitamin D twice year when supplementing

Test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together

Always test early Monday or Tuesday morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

REMEMBER.....very important....stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results - eg vitamin B complex

If testing ferritin stop iron supplements a week before test do test fasting and don’t eat iron rich dinner night before test