Results Interpretation

[jm2450]

Hi everyone, you’ve been extremely helpful before so I’d like to ask re my mums historical results for her thyroid. After my diagnosis last year my mum has been having a lot of hair loss and I urged her to check her previous thyroid results as she was told she was “borderline” at one point. Anyway, she’s found historical results all the way back to 2009 (see attached picture) but obviously as per the NHS they have only tested her TSH, and once her free T4. As I’m not experienced in reading these results, I wonder what you make of them? She also has psoriasis, lichen sclerosis and some sort of arthritis which is untreated (she has knobbles on her hands etc). So there is clearly autoimmune stuff going on and always has been. But specifically to the thyroid, I have suggested she get a full thyroid function test. Do these historical results suggest anything to more experienced members? Her free T4 was 12.2 (10.5-26) in 2013 when she had her highest TSH result of 5.8. Obviously her TSH has lowered over the years but still seems quite high to me? Many thanks.

[Hidden]

Were they all taken at the same time each day?

[jm2450 in reply to Hidden]

I would doubt that, my mum knows nothing about this, and neither did I at these points in time!

[Hidden in reply to jm2450]

I wouldn't expect her to! My GP thought TSH only varied in a monthly cycle. 🙄

So results aren't really comparable. I would bet everything I own that the 'abnormal' one was early-ish and the others were in the afternoon...

[jm2450 in reply to Hidden]

I would probably say you’re right! She’s had many different difficulties for years. I suspect now we know why! I am going to get her to have a full thyroid check with medichecks and tell her how to do it properly…. I will come back when results are in! It just boggles my mind that nobody has kept an eye on this!? It’s clear that there is something going on with her thyroid. She has suffered with anxiety and depression for years. Could this be why!? I think we know the answer is yes!

[Hidden in reply to jm2450]

I'm glad your mum is listening to you. Mine won't. 🙄

I hope you get the results you need to move things forward for her.

[jm2450 in reply to Hidden]

I’m not entirely sure that the GP will listen, I’ve had enough problems of my own with them and at around 4 they will probably laugh her out the door. Just getting my dose upped from 50 to 75 when my TSH was still at 3 was a nightmare enough!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Definitely

Get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing including thyroid antibodies.

Test early Monday or Tuesday morning, ideally before 9am

What vitamin supplements is she currently taking?

Hairloss often low iron/ferritin

Medichecks often have offers on Thursdays

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...

[jm2450]

She doesn’t take any vitamins or supplements at all. I will advise her to get a full test with antibodies privately. Does this look like normal thyroid function to you? I know we are told to keep our TSH under 2 with autoimmune thyroiditis but sitting around 3 is this normal? She is post menopausal now and I know TSH is usually higher in older people?

[greygoose in reply to jm2450]

Very, very slightly lower. But that is the excuse the medical community has latched onto to avoid treating older people. Techically, you are hypo when you're TSH goes over 3, but the NHS likes it to go over 10 before they will consider diagnosing and treating. Hence they came up with 'borderline', 'subclinical' et al, as excuses not to treat.

[jm2450 in reply to greygoose]

I see, so we wouldn’t see this sort of number generally in older people? I did say to her that to me it doesn’t look “normal”. When my thyroid was functioning properly many years ago I’m sure my result was 0.89 or something similar, so going back and forth between 3 and 6 seems nuts to me!?

[greygoose in reply to jm2450]

It is nuts. A euthyroid (normal) TSH is around one, never over 2. But doctors either don't know, or have trouble admitting that.

[jm2450 in reply to greygoose]

Interesting to know…. Thanks grey goose. I will be showing her these replies!

[greygoose in reply to jm2450]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jm2450]

You need to click reply….or other poster doesn’t get notification

Would suspect her vitamin levels are low …..because her thyroid is struggling. Likely high thyroid antibodies

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH…..in effect hiding how hypothyroid you might be

Come back with new post once she gets results

[jm2450 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks dragon. Will get her to have a full thyroid check and come back with results.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jm2450]

Just rereading your own posts …you have Hashimoto’s and deficient in vitamin D and folate

Makes it extremely likely your Mum does too

You will need retest your own levels soon…..likely to need next dose increase in levothyroxine shortly

Are you now trialing strictly gluten free diet

[jm2450 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I am going to test my levels again soon. I have not trialled gluten free yet, I’m finding the prospect quite overwhelming to be honest! Still have minor digestive disturbances but add that to the list of other minor disturbances! If my levels down to under 2 why would I need another dose increase?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jm2450]

75mcg is only one step up from starter dose

Unless extremely petite likely to need higher dose

Most important results are always Ft3, followed by Ft4

All four vitamins need to be optimal too

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

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