Quick NHS Blood Test Query

[Sparklingsunshine]

Hi

Had some blood tests on June 29 via the NHS, they tested TSH, FT4 and FT3 (I know, I was gobsmacked). The GP marked them off as satisfactory even though my TSH was 0.22 (range 0.27 to 4.2). Pleased that they didn't quibble about it being too low.

There was no change in dose although I've increased it myself to 150mcg from 125mcg as this is the amount the GP thinks I take anyway and is prescribed as such. My FT4 and FT3 levels were very low so I thought I would trial 150mcg and see how I get on. I'm due to test privately in mid August.

i just wondered if this means I won't be due another NHS test until next year. As I said I've had no comeback from the surgery. Thank YOU.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Sparklingsunshine

If your GP is satisfied that you are stable on your prescribed dose then the usual protocol is for annual tests. It's only if your GP had changed your dose or had any other reason to retest that it would be done a few weeks later.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi

Thank you, that's what I thought and hoped. Phew feel like I've passed a difficult exam 😀

[Hedgeree]

Hi Sparklingsunshine,

Are you seeing an NHS endo? I had success with getting more blood tests done when I rang my surgery and said I had an endo appointment (which I did) and needed up-to-date blood tests to take along.

It worked as previous to that they'd refused and if I remember correctly they said you've had that done this year already. I think I said I wanted to be prepared and didn't want to waste my appointment.

I'm going to try that again in a week or so as I have another Endocrine appointment next month.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Hedgeree]

HiNo, no Endo, not that I want to see one in all honesty lol. From my very brief experience with them at my local hospital they seem like numpties. I'd have more confidence consulting the local wise woman.

[Hedgeree in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Yes most possibly 😊 I'm still trying the NHS route and it's slow going.

[Hidden in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Dearie me, sunshine, I won't adopt you if you are rude about the doctors. Don't be afraid of them.

[tattybogle in reply to Hidden]

Mother-81 I think you might possibly be confusing 'Sparklingsunshine' with 'Brightness14' who you previously offered to adopt on your other post ?

As you have had your own experience with a Doctor reducing your levothyroxine dose resulting in you being unwell for 3 years ,and then having to pay another Doctor privately to get your dose reinstated against the original Doctors advice ..... you surely can understand that sometimes we do need to be very cautious of Doctors and not just blindly trust their opinion simply because they are a doctor/Endo.

sadly, we see reports regularly of very good reasons to call some of them numptys.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to tattybogle]

Hi

And numpty is a very polite word. I didn't want to offend sensibilities by saying what I thought lol. I happen to be very sceptical of my NHS Endo Dept because back when I was suffering with itching and prickling last autumn, my GP contacted them for advice and it was to stop Levo cold turkey.

They said because my TSH wasn't especially high at diagnosis, it was 7.1, I probably didn't really need it. My confidence in their "expertise" very quickly left the room. I did stop for about a week and felt most unwell.

I'd rather follow the advice on this forum and if necessay self source additional meds.

[tattybogle in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

My confidence in their ability to treat thyroid properly started backing towards the door in about 2005 when i realised GP's cant tell what dose you take by looking at blood tests .

Then it left the room and ran down the hall as fast as it could a few years ago when i realised just how quickly they run out of facts/ evidence and resort to "because you'll die unless you do what you're told " when you ask them awkward questions.

[Hidden in reply to tattybogle]

I got shouted at for daring to answer back. 😂

Dr: your TSH is fine (at 4.something)and I won't up your dose.

Me: perhaps but I think I'd feel better with a lower TSH.

Dr: it won't make any difference. With that's TSH you won't be symptomatic.

Me: ... uhm. OK but the top of the range is 5.2. Are you telling me that at 5.1 I won't be symptomatic but at 5.2 I would be?

Dr: YOU'RE JUST TIRED BECAUSE WE'RE IN LOCKDOWN.

I can laugh about it now but jeez. Terrifying to think his ignorance could have determined how my life panned out.

[Otto11 in reply to Hidden]

Bless you. This is what I’ve had for past 4 years! My TSH has been at 3.4 4.0 3.14 etc. GP kept saying it’s in range. I got very angry. I managed to get to see an Endocrinologist armed with notes but as soon as I saw him he said I can see you’ve been under medicated for years. Hallelujah! Someone who listens at last. On my 2nd increase of Thyroxine now.

[Hidden in reply to Otto11]

What a relief that must've been! I went private in the end and despite getting the help I needed I felt terribly deflated; think it was the stress of fighting for so long.

[Otto11 in reply to Hidden]

I had a private blood test as GP can’t test T3 or T4 apparently! I was admitted to hospital only overnight for something else but went with notes on my levels over past 4 years. The consultant wrote in her discharge letter for GP to refer to Endocrinology but he still refused twice! I’m so pleased I stood my ground but it’s not right. When I saw the Endocrinologist I went armed with result & questions helped by all the lovely people on here & he stopped me pretty quickly saying it’s on the screen in front of me then showed me a graph which told him immediately I was under medicated. This could all have been done by my GP’s practice if only they could be bothered to listen. It is a battle though & it shouldn’t be. X

[Charlie-Farley in reply to tattybogle]

Your doctor is an arse though. When ever he sees me in the street he looks like he might just fill his pants! 😂👍. I’ve never even had a consultation with him - I’m infamous! ☠️

[Kowbie in reply to Charlie-Farley]

Charlie Farley that’s funny

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Kowbie]

And better still true! 🤣👍

[Hidden in reply to tattybogle]

You don't know the facts at all. None of you do. people aren't actually reading what I've said and it is very frustrating. And I haven't done this sort of thing before. People are ignoring my age and that I had been born with the condition. and ask if I've been tested for hypothyroidism. . they did that at 18 months old.I moved home due to my husbands death, after 54 years. I was allocated to a particular GP when I moved 3 years ago. I CHOSE to pay for a consultant while I had money. just because I had never seen one since I was 18 months old . He is very instructive and helpful.

It is all so simple . why do people read other things in? I have more than enough troubles.

But there are far more numpty patients than doctors. Doctors have them all day, and have to be just what each patient wants or demands. or what they have been told they need.

Sorry to sound grumpy. its not me. its all the pain.

[Yeswithasmile in reply to Hidden]

Hi Mother-81

I think the problem lay with the written word often being misunderstood here. That’s all 😊.

You do seem like you’ve got to grips with your hypothyroidism but then you’ve obviously had it a long time!! Good to hear you have a doctor you seem to trust. I don’t, like loads of others on this forum. Although I’m sorry your in pain. I don’t recall you mentioning that before, what sort of pain is it?

[helvella in reply to Yeswithasmile]

Please, don't continue with Mother-81's issues on this thread started by Sparklingsunshine. It is unfair and wrong to divert attention by more or less hijacking this thread - even if unintentional.

[Yeswithasmile in reply to helvella]

It was not my intention to hijack this thread. I was simply being friendly.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

People aren't 'reading what you've written' because you're being incredibly patronising.

You're writing off everyone else's experience. Most of us here had to fight with medics to a) get a diagnosis and b) get adequate treatment.

And you have the gall to tell us not to be scared of the doctors. Ha!

You might learn quite a lot if you start listening to people here instead of telling us we're wrong.

[helvella in reply to Hidden]

Please, don't continue with Mother-81's issues on this thread started by Sparklingsunshine. It is unfair and wrong to divert attention by more or less hijacking this thread - even if unintentional.

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Yes, you're quite right. Sorry Sparklingsunshine x

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Hidden]

Hi

No worries 😃

[bantam12 in reply to Hidden]

Some Drs we should be very afraid of !

[QUE6T-33]

What meds are you taking?

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to QUE6T-33]

Hi

I'm on 150mcg of Levo.

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Me too and once I got onto this dose life started again. Never let a doctor muck about with your dosage once you are feeling well ❤️

I’ve read so much lived experience where people have had their doses altered for no particular reason then the fancy of the GP and they have suffered and some have never got back their health to the place it was before.

Repel all borders! Keep being your own advocate.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Charlie-Farley]

Hi

Well I'd quite like to start feeling well first lol.

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

I hope you get there ❤️ I noticed with each dose increase symptoms started to fall away and when dose increase effects wore off it was time for a bit more. My symptoms dictated dose increases not their arbitrary come back in three months. I was in range for all my dose increases. All documented in my profile 😊👍

[QUE6T-33]

So your levels are low across the board. You can’t be feeling well if your FT3 level is low (you don’t say what that result was), as that’s the one that is utilised at cellular level. Surprised how your GP has marked as satisfactory (but again we don’t know what your FT4 or FR3 levels were). Are you consulting with an Endo?

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to QUE6T-33]

Hi

My FT4 was 13 (12-22)

FT3 was 3.6 (3.1-6.8).

In two years diagnosis I've pretty much come full circle. My levels in June 2020 were not hugely lower than this. FT4 was around 11 when I first went on Levo. It's very odd. I'm on a decent dose, not like a starter dose.

No,I'm not consulting with an Endo. I doubt they would see me as I'm in range according to the NHS. And I can't really afford to go private.

[dizzy864 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Have u thought of trialing liquid levothyroxine? Maybe you re not absorbing enough from tablets. It's made a huge difference with me

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to dizzy864]

Hi

I haven't asked but that's a good point. Mind you I'll probably have an uphill struggle due to cost. I can ask however.

[dizzy864]

Liquid levo is expensive but their was a rule change with the NHS. If you have problems with absorbing tablets, you are now entitle to it. You cannot be refused it due to cost. The thyroid UK site explains it. Good luck