Weird blood test result

[Tartangreen]

worrying blood test results

I recently had to have a blood test due to the local GP insisting (havent seen a GP since before 1st Covid lockdown). Anyway, I received a call from the GP who was very concerned about the results. he said my TSH was 17.4 and my FT4 was 2.6. He was clearly worried about my health, but I am actually quite fine. I take T3 25mg per day.........bought privately........and am wondering if this is why my TSH is so high? I honestly feel ok and not suffering with any of the hypothyroid symptoms that I once had some years ago. Look forward to hearing your thoughts? Thanks.

[greygoose]

So, are you taking T3 only? If so, that would explain why your FT4 is so low. But, frankly, a TSH that high is a mystery.

Does your doctor know you're on T3 monotherapy?

Do you take biotin in any form?

[Tartangreen in reply to greygoose]

Hello and many thanks for taking the time to read and reply to my post. I have been taking T3 and no levothyroxine ........ until I got the above results from GP. that was. However, the past few days, I have decided to take the 25mg levothyroxine... god knows why really because as I said, am feeling absolutely fine. Just worried that I may be doing damage with the TSH continually trying to whip up more T4.

[greygoose in reply to Tartangreen]

No, I don't think that's what the TSH is doing at all. The pituitary cannot distinguish between T4 and T3, it just reacts to the over-all level of thyroid hormone.

I've been on T3 only for years and my TSH is suppressed. So, I think that high TSH is either because you're not taking enough T3 - there is no T3 result so we really don't know. Or, that there was interferrence in the TSH assay - which does happen. If your doctor had just one once of common sense, he would have either got the TSH retested, or the FT3 tested.

So, IMHO, what you should be doing now is getting private tests done, rather than adding levo to your T3. Just to make sure.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

25mcg T3 is a very low dose if ONLY taking T3

That’s the sort of dose to add alongside levothyroxine

How much levothyroxine were you taking BEFORE starting on T3

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

Day before test, split T3 into two or three smaller doses spread through the day and last dose approx 8-12 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

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...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then 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/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

High cholesterol is linked to being under medicated

Request GP test cholesterol levels

[2pence]

I would get a printout of the results just in case he’s reading them wrongly.

[shaws Administrator]

I take T3 only and take 20mcg once daily. I feel well and have no symptoms.

25mcg of T3 is approx equal to 100mcg of levo - in its 'action'.