Looking for advice and an understanding of the thyroid

[notts_girl]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to this forum and came here in the hopes that anyone can help me understand about my thyroid results if possible.

I’ve been feeling a bit unwell for a while and was told I should get my thyroid checked out. I thought to myself this must be why I feel how I do because I’m ticking lots of boxes for physical and non- psychical signs of hypothyroidism. I had a full blood count which also tested for my thyroid and was told by my dr that it was showing as under active.

4 weeks later my second blood results have shown that my TSH is 3.6 and TPO ab is 8 - can anybody shed light on what this means? I would like to speak to my dr about my blood results but have to wait 2 weeks for my appointment.

Many thanks

[greygoose]

That's not much to go on, is it. What else did you have tested? You can't just look at one result and say oh yes, that means so-and-so, they all have to be looked at in conjunction with each other: TSH/FT4/FT3/TPOab/TgAB. And, we have to have the ranges, because they vary from lab to lab.

So, if you give all your results and ranges from the first test, then all the results and ranges from the second test, and tell us what time the blood was drawn, be would be better able to help you.

[notts_girl in reply to greygoose]

This is the only information I can go by and tell you as I don’t know anything else 🙁 my blood form from my last blood test (July 8th) said TSH and TPO. How do I find out about the others?

[greygoose in reply to notts_girl]

OK, I see. So it sounds like that's all that was tested, which is weird. But, you can ask at reception for a print-out of your last two sets of results. It is your legal right to have one. That will tell you exactly what was test, what the results were, and the ranges.

But, I can tell you that a TSH of over 3 is technically hypo. However, the NHS are a bunch of sadists that want you to wait until it rises to over 10 before they will consider diagnosing you. So, it's highly likely that your problem is due to your thyroid, whether your doctor agrees or not.

[DippyDame]

I takes a while to unravel all the facts...

This might help with background info

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

Unfortunately not all medics are clued up re thyroid disease.....and that's an understatement!!

You are legally entitled to ask your surgery for a copy of any lab results.

Suggest you request those from surgery reception...

at least they should give reference ranges.

For a full thyroid test you need

TSH, FT4, FT3, vit D, vit B12, ferritin, folate and thyroid antibodies TPO and TG

Post any more results you can get your hands on and members will help

Good luck

[notts_girl]

Thank you both for your help! My GP surgery is closed this afternoon so I shall request copies of my results tomorrow! How do I go about having a full thyroid test? Is this something I can request from my GP?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results.

Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

NHS rarely tests Thyroglobulin antibodies unless TPO antibodies are high and over range. Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, 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.

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

Have you had vitamin levels tested?

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

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

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...

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...