Blood test help, please : Sorry I'll try again... - Thyroid UK

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Blood test help, please

Ankles profile image
7 Replies

Sorry I'll try again🤔 I'm trying not to write an essay then I won't loose what I've just wrote

You are all wonderful people and have to say,you have all been a great help with your knowledge and information that is shared. No one has to feel alone,there is always a kind person that replies with positivity on the forum.

i have been struggling with various aches and pains,teeth and gum problems,also very itchy and oh the tiredness and fatigue,oh and dermal Fibrosis. I was thinking it was more to do with my inflammatory arthritis but now I'm thinking maybe it's to do with my thyroid.

As suggested I have looked up my previous bloods and here are some of the results. GP have told me all normal,I do have other results, these seemed to be the worrying levels.

If any of you beautiful people see if I have anything that needs double checking, I will send for a private blood test that you have all recommend.

thanks for your help

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7 Replies
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

Is that - FT4 26.1 (10.0 - 20) ?

This would be over range and GP will likely suggest you reduce Levo.

You really need FT3 tested. This it the active hormone it might be low.

Many of your symptoms may be caused / worsened by low FT3 (hypo) / over replacement.

When you had blood test was It booked early in morning? Was Levo taken before test or delayed until after draw.

Your positive TPO confirms autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto) did you know this? Most hypothyroidism is cause by this.

Ankles profile image
Ankles in reply toPurpleNails

Thank you for the reply,

Yes it's serum Free T4 result 26.1 range 10.0 - 2.0.

TSH result 0.3 range 0.2 - 6.0

Blood test results say this is ok as the TSH is in range.

The TPO back in 2014 said mild autoimmune thyroid as TSH and T4 were not that out of range at the time, I was put on 25mg levothyroxin then.

Then crept up as the years have gone by.

I have trailed through blood tests and never had a T3 test.

Not sure what time I had test, but reading posts now, I will not take meds for 24hours and have test in the morning, next time.

So is Hashimotos different to having an under active thyroid as I have never been told it's Hashimotos.

Maybe why my hair is getting thinner and thinner.

🥰

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator in reply toAnkles

“Yes it's serum Free T4 result 26.1 range 10.0 - 2.0”

The range would always be lower limit to upper limit. 10 - 2 wouldn’t be right & if it switched round (2 - 10) that would be an exceptionally low range & there no way GP would be happy with that high a FT4 even if TSH is range (although they often just look at TSH)

Eg “Blood test results say this is ok as the TSH is in range”

If these were verbal or handwritten results I’m afraid they can be relied upon. Must have either online access or printed copies.

Positive TPO means it’s virtually inevitable levels will decline, as yours did.

The immune system is attacking & destroying cells of thyroid leaving it less & less able to function.

Most of world uses term Hashimoto’s, UK Doctors sometimes use the term “autoimmune thyroiditis” but as the autoimmune aspect can not be treated most just refer to “under active thyroid” - the treatment is to replace low levels.

Staring before FT4 was below range is correct although standard starting dose is 50mcg (mcg not mg)

I suspect you might have taken levo prior to draw which is why FT4 is high.

All hypothyroidism is treated same.

Gluten can be issue with Hashis. Do you have stomach issues, although it’s not always apparent.

NHS rarely tests FT3. There are private companies which many use.. Fingerprick sample taken at home, or extra fee for venous draw . Options & fees vary from thyroid function - under £30, to more advanced options with antibodies & nutrients costing under £100. Do you think that is something you could manage at home?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toAnkles

Suggest you get at least TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested privately now

cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

What brand levothyroxine are you currently taking

Teva is only brand that makes 75mcg tablets

Teva upsets many people

Meanwhile……Work on improving very low B12

then retest FULL thyroid and vitamins again in 2-3 months after improving low B12

Suggest you start taking a good quality vitamin B complex and separate B12

Retest thyroid and vitamin levels 2 months time

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) . This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)

Difference between folate and folic acid

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate methyl folate supplement and continue separate B12

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months.

once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

B12 drops

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

B12 sublingual lozenges

amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

How other member saw how effective improving low B vitamins has been in improving conversion levels

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Ankles profile image
Ankles in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you so much I will order the Thorn B12 now and then in a couple of months order one of the private blood test and fo as you have instructed. I'll treat myself with birthday money😊. I have took a screen shot and edited, of my GP thyroid blood test, just so you can see the actual wording, think I put a few dots in the wrong place on the original Thanks again for your help👍

Pale lettering with dark background
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toAnkles

You may need to (very slightly reduce levothyroxine) but you must get TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested together first …..if Ft3 is not over range you are not over medicated

Ideally (if birthday money will stretch that far) test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 now via Monitor My Health

Test early Monday or Tuesday morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Meanwhile improving low B12 …..by taking a vitamin B complex and separate B12

This should help improve conversion of Ft4 to Ft3…..In 6-8 weeks (hopefully) would see lower Ft4 and good Ft3 level

Ankles profile image
Ankles

Thank you, will get the tests done and then go from there. I have the Thorne b complex in my basket, can you recommend a B12 suppliment please.Thank you so much for your help.

👍

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