latest blood tests

[Sppr]

wondering if anyone can take a look at my latest blood tests. Been on thyroxine now for 2 months .

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Did you do your test as we advise :

* No later than 9am

* Nothing except water before the test

* Last dose of Levo 24 hours before the test

* No biotin or any supplement containing Biotin (eg B Complex) for 3-7 days before the test

How do you feel?

[Sppr in reply to SeasideSusie]

I did the test just at my doctors appointment. I asked him if I should return in the morning but he said no need. So I took my tablets at 7am and did the blood tests at 3pm. Had eaten all day as normal. Feel pretty much the same as before I started taking them.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Sppr]

Well they may not be completely accurate but they look pretty good.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

So you know you have Hashimoto’s

How do you feel?

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested yet

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Have you had coeliac blood test done yet?

If not get tested before considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

[Lovecake]

I remember when I first started on thyroxine. After 2 months it sort of looked ok, but felt no better. Then after 4 months needed an increase.It definitely makes a difference having the bloods taken in the morning without taking your daily dose.

Maybe next time you have an appointment, don’t take your thyroxine beforehand just in case they do a blood test.

I had a test once 2 hours after the first, and I ate breakfast in between too. My TSH dropped and my FT4 went up. So if you want your doc to up your dose insist on an earlier test.

[Sppr in reply to Lovecake]

Why does this happen? Any idea? The pills aren’t like an instant thing are they so how do they have an effect on the bloods? Also how does eating have an effect? I’m not questioning you btw, I’m just wondering why. It’s all so confusing…

[Lovecake in reply to Sppr]

I wish I knew!Apparently your TSH is naturally higher in the morning - why give a doc a reason to not up your dose if you really need it?

Before I was diagnosed I would get very low on energy and have to eat (usually carbs) in order to have the energy to keep going.

So perhaps food impacts our thyroid levels too?

Someone much wiser than me May pick up on your question and answer.

I also had lots of other tests done by an nhs endo. You may/may not be able to get referred, but definitely follow SlowDragon’s advice and get your vitD, folate, ferritin and B12 levels checked etc.

My vitD was 21 when first tested. Getting it up to 100 (ish) makes me feel a lot better.

Folate too. I don’t hold onto that for some reason 🤷‍♀️ Low folate causes dreadful fatigue for me.

Always get tested before you supplement.

There are good reasons for SlowDragon’s advice and it’s amazing the difference when your levels are REALLY optimal.

[Sppr in reply to Lovecake]

I always feel really awkward asking for extra tests, like I’m telling them how to do their job. Not sure why cos I’m in Abu Dhabi and it’s all private anyway. Do I just say please test this this and this? I’m always tired, but many doctors have just told me it’s because I’m 43 🙄

[Lovecake in reply to Sppr]

Maybe say that you understand those tests will help because if they need boosting then that could help your symptoms improve. I am sure they all help with your thyroid function in some way and can also help with the conversion of T4 to T3 which is what your body has to do when you take thyroxine (again, my words may need to be clarified by others). There is so much to take in (and remember). Keep reading and learning and very slowly you will get there.

It is a marathon not a sprint repairing the damage that has taken years to break us. Stay strong, don’t give up ☺️

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Sppr]

Sppr

Why does this happen? Any idea? The pills aren’t like an instant thing are they so how do they have an effect on the bloods? Also how does eating have an effect?

TSH has a circadian rhythm. It is highest around midnight to 4am, then lowers, the next highest is 9am then lowers throughout the day until around 8pm when it starts rising again. See graph below. So the best time for a thyroid test, when TSH is what your doctor adjusts dose by, is 9am.

Certain foods and drink might possibly affect TSH as well, so to avoid any possibility of this we suggest water only before the test.

Taking your thyroid hormone replacement before a test will affect your thyroid hormone levels (FT4/FT3) so to get a measure of your normal circulating hormone we suggest taking ast dose of Levo 24 hours before the test and last dose of T3 or NDT 8-12 hours before the test (split the day before if necessary), this then avoids a false high or false low result.

Graph