possible hypothyroidism

[Mollie1962]

As shown on my profile I feel I may have an under active thyroid. I have listed my thyroid results, any advice welcome, if needed I can confirm other results.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Mollie1962

From your profile:

TSH 4.16 range 0.35 - 4.9.

T4. 11.3. Range 9 - 19.

GP prescribed blood pressure tablets and statins for cholesterol. Have not taken BP tablets, bought BP monitor to check own levels near normal readings. GP wouldn’t prescribe thyroid meds.

Paid for medichecks

TSH 5.72 (0.27-4.20)

T3. 4.6. (3.1-6.8)

T4. 13.8. (12-22)

Thyroid peroxidase antibody 16.5. (<34)

Thyroglobulin antibody 19.6. (<115)

Your TSH is too high which shows your thyroid is struggling.

Over range TSH with in range FT4 = subclinical hypothyroidism. Subclinical + symptoms might get you a diagnosis from an enlightened GP but not all will.

Subclinical + raised antibodies would give diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's), and your antibodies are negative.

GP unlikely diagnose Primary Hypothyroidism unless TSH goes over 10.

As for the statins, these aren't recommended for females plus according to the NHS:

If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.

So I would refuse the statins and push for treatment for hypothyroidism.

if needed I can confirm other results.

What other tests were done?

[Mollie1962 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thankyou for your reply I haven’t had any other tests yet. I live in Ireland so will have to discuss my medicheck results with GP once I’m back home. My gp seemed more bothered with my blood pressure tbh but after monitoring it myself it is fairly normal tbh so I haven’t taken any blood pressure tablets. I think the ranges differ too which is frustrating my first reading for TSH was 4.16 this was a month ago and the new one 5.72. I have been taking the statins he prescribed for my cholesterol but having read these replies it won’t be doing me any good 😞

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Mollie1962]

Mollie1962

I haven’t had any other tests yet

You said in your opening post

I have listed my thyroid results, any advice welcome, if needed I can confirm other results.

which I read as you have had other tests done which you haven't included.

[Mollie1962 in reply to SeasideSusie]

there are some from first blood test not sure they’ll help but I’ll add them now

Ok

[Mollie1962 in reply to Mollie1962]

I’m not doing well adding these lol 😂

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Mollie1962]

Mollie1962

Too small to read even when clicking on magnifying glass, please repost and zoom in on results omitting all the white space.

[Mollie1962 in reply to SeasideSusie]

sorry I’ve written them down now

Sodium 4.4

Urea. 4.2

Creatine. 82

Total protein 79

Albumin. 43

ALT (GPT). 26

Alkalinity phosphate. 74

Bilirubin. 6

Calcium. 2.50

Adjusted calcium 2.50

Phosphate. 1.38

Cholesterol (total). 9.5

Triglycerides. 6.19

Cholesterol (HDL). 1.53

T4. Free. 11.3

TSH. 4.16

These were early September

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Mollie1962]

We always need reference ranges with results but I can't see that any of those will have any bearing on your thyroid other than the cholesterol and we know that is high. If any of them are marked out of range you'd need to speak to your GP.

[Mollie1962 in reply to SeasideSusie]

thanks I will get back to gp 😀

[Mollie1962 in reply to Mollie1962]

other than cholesterol the rest were within the ranges

[Regenallotment]

hi, those second Medichecks results support your argument don’t they. A GP is going to want to see another test in 6 weeks that shows it’s a sustained raised TSH and not a random blip though. It took me ages to get a diagnosis, I had to pester as they wanted to wait 12 months leaving me feeling dreadful. I had similar symptoms and my TSH was around 5 too. Although my TPO are around 250 usually.

It is important though to make sure you are doing blood tests in the mornings before taking medications as TSH is higher then, and to avoid Biotin supplements for 3-7 days before as this can alter your results.

Other things that helped me are testing B12, D, Ferritin and Folate. By getting these above ‘normal and into ‘optimal’ I’ve managed to improve at the same time as working my way through the doses of Levo. Hope that helps a bit 🦋💚🦋

[Mollie1962 in reply to Regenallotment]

Thankyou yes I think my first bloods were more towards lunchtime. The medicheck one I did first thing in the morning around 8am, obviously made a difference. Frustrating as levels differ between and Ireland. Hope when I go back he’ll take my medicheck results on board 🙏

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Request GP test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels now

Request repeat thyroid level test in 6 weeks

Book early morning appointment, ideally just before 9am

Starting levothyroxine - flow chart 

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

High cholesterol is linked to being hypothyroid and should improve once you start on levothyroxine

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.

[Mollie1962 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou. Yes I will have to go back to GP. It seems from what you say that the statins will not help and cholesterol raised because of underactive thyroid. First TSH a month ago was 4.16 but range in Ireland seems to differ from Uk so he dismissed thyroid and went by my blood pressure and cholesterol. BP since has been normal or slightly up. I think the reason my BP was raised was due to a 24 hour monitor which woke my up ever 30mins overnight and then I had to drive into GP surgery with the damn thing still on!! Feeling a bit frustrated with GP 🙄

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mollie1962]

Being hypothyroid frequently causes low stomach acid, this leads to poor nutrient absorption and low vitamin levels as direct result

Low vitamins tend to lower TSH, in effect masking how hypothyroid you might actually be

First step is to get all four vitamins tested and OPTIMAL

Vitamin D at least around 80nmol minimum

Serum B12 at least over 500

Active B12 at least over 70

Folate and ferritin at least half way through range

Request GP test these now

[Mollie1962 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou everyone has been so helpful 😊

[Cornwaller]

The advice above is excellent.

You have raised tsh and low t4. Your doctor should carefully consider your clinical symptoms and then make a diagnosis.

Your blood work is useful, but it is a snap shot, a laboratory estimate and is unique to you. It is your clinical symptoms which are the key to diagnosis, treatment and good health.

See thyroidUK, make a list of your symptoms and present them to your GP. A doctor's role is to diagnose and treat; their role is a craft not ordering and misinterpreting blood tests!