My First Post - Help Please

[Jazz80]

I have been following you all for a little while, what an amazing source of knowledge, I've learned so much. Apologies this is so long, prehaps some of this should be in my profile but I've not got to grips with it all yet.

I have been unwell for a long time and been under the care of a Rheumatologist since 2019 with vague diagnosis of possible 'undifferentiated connective tissue disease'. I saw a new consultant in June who ordered a raft of investigations including thyroid function, which came back with TSH 4.4, Free thyroxine 17.7 with advice to repeat in 3 months, (I did have a thyroid function test in 2019 which was reported normal TSH 3.2).

My symptoms are are a fit for hypothyroidism and have negatively changed my life over the past few years, I feel so ill much of the time, I'm now wondering if thyroid issues are the root of my problems.

The test was taken at 08.55 hrs and I'd had only water beforehand, I would be grateful for your thoughts on my Medicheck results below:

23 Aug 2022

CRP HS <0.3 mg/L (0 – 5)

FERRITIN 63.8 ug/L (13 – 150)

FOLATE - SERUM 11.7 ug/L (> 3.89-19.45)

VITAMIN B12 - ACTIVE 115 pmol/L (37.5 – 150)

VITAMIN D 94 nmol/L (50 – 200)

TSH 4.43mU/L (0.27 - 4.2) *(3.2mU/L in 2019)

FREE T3 4.26 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8)

FREE THYROXINE 17.4 pmol/L (12 – 22)

THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES 14 IU/mL (< 115)

THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES <9 IU/mL (< 34)

My concerns are the results don't seem 'off' enough to account for the severity of my symptoms, a nurse has already dismissed them as 'only very slightly over normal'.

Given the 2019 TSH result is it significant that it is rising over time, all be it slowly?

I'm planning to go ahead with the repeat NHS test, probably next week, to get things on the record is this sensible, not sure on approach after that.

I would appreciate your thoughts/advice on my current situation together with any suggestions as to next steps please

Again thanks to everyone, without you I wouldn't have known where to begin.

[SarahJane1471]

WelcomeMany clever people will come along soon with detailed advice that will be a bit overwhelming at first but stick with it. Read digest and go with it. Your TSH is OVERrange that makes you hypothyroid. So yes you are going to feel rubbish.

I would suggest having the NHS bloods done under the same conditions and if the results are similar then request a trial of Levothyroxine.

[Jazz80 in reply to SarahJane1471]

Thank you so much, that is so helful to know, it gives me confidence to keep going and reguest a trial and not be fobbed off.