Few weeks ago I had blood tests all the usual liver, kidney , full blood count etc.. and thyroid after a few days I called the surgery to ask about the results all was normal but my thyroid was abnormal I've got to have another blood test on Monday
But is the first blood test usually accurate?
Thyroid test results can sometimes be abnormal but settle later.
Is this the 1st time thyroid has been abnormal?
It also depends what was tested & the result.
Often when GP requests thyroid check, the lab test TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) a pituitary hormone which signal thyroid to make hormone.Its assumed if low the signal is telling thyroid to reduce and thyroid hormone are high. And if the TSH high it’s because thyroid hormones are low and it’s telling the thyroid to increase.
You need to find out what your thyroid hormones are. T4 & T3 (thyroxine & triiodothyronine) the free unbound levels FT4 & FT3 are what you need tested. If these are low thyroid antibodies need to be tested.
Do you take any supplements? Biotin can cause result interference. Needs to be left off 3 days before test longer of very high dose.
Time of test can affect TSH it’s highest just before .09:00 after fasting over night. This would be best time to have a blood test.
Thanks for the reply I sometimes take a multi vitamin that has biotin in it but sure I hadn't took it that day It's the first time I've had abnormal thyroid blood test
It's symptoms I've been having that are worrying if I'm sat for a while and stand up have dizziness but maybe that's the bisoprolol I'm on ?
bisoprolol is sometimes given to hyperthyroid patients (although propranolol 1st choice)
So there may be a affect on thyroid. It’s more the case it might worsen someone with an existing thyroid issue. however, I assume you need the bisoprolol to treat an existing issue.
Do you take other medication?
Multi vitamins aren’t recommend on this forum. Mulitvits often contain the cheapest least absorbable forms of nutrient. often contains element you don’t need eg iron, calcium, iodine, which are unhelpful unless known to deficient in which case higher doses are likely required.
Best to test folate, ferritin, vitamin D and B12 and supplement where needed.
There are private options for blood testing if GP can’t / won’t test everything.
Thanks for the reply beta bisoprolol for heart rate and blood pressure I think doctor said I'm on sertraline for anxiety
Very common to need further testing before starting treatment
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.
Also important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Initially they likely only tested TSH
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
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.
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
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
High cholesterol linked to being hypothyroid
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
What are bisoprolol used for ? I've never asked I was put on them years ago
Its a beta blocker, helps heart rate and blood pressure.
I was given beta blocker propranolol when diagnosed hyper. As heart rate too fast. It’s intended to be temporary is such cases as relieves symptoms , doesn’t address cause.
I still take low dose of propranolol now as migraine prevention.
Thank you I didn't have abnormal thyroid levels when I was put on beta blockers though does that mean it's not for thyroid? Or just it wasn't showing on blood tests at that point ?
It’s not a thyroid medication. - It would be because of another issue eg blood pressure.
It’s not thought to have a significant affect on thyroid, but it might be having a slight affect on levels or worsening a developing thyroid issue.
The medication should not be stopped unless directed by doctor.
Where your thyroid levels fully tested in past? Do you have any results. EG Copies with ranges or access to online record?
Yes I'm sure been tested before but unfortunately I don't have no ranges I know I've been intolerant to heat too as when I've been to hot country's its made me unwell not sure other probs could cause this?
heat intolerance a hyper symtom, but there’s a huge cross over with hyper / hypo symptoms. I was hyper but had many typical hypo symptoms.
Obtain results and post them, we can then explain more.
Will do thanks again for the replies GP's here in England don't seem to give you results of tests but I will ask for them when I go for my blood test Monday and post them
Doctors never explain results or volunteer to share result with you.
This saves them time as they don’t spend extra time explaining your condition & why a suggested treatment is given. This might lead to you asking further questions & even challenging the treatment. They prefer you don’t question - just comply. Most of us do - until trusting doctor leaves us unwell.
You can legally view all your results. Either ask reception for a printed copy. [With lab ranges]. Or set up online access to digital record.
Sometimes staff want to confirm you can view results - but once they’ve been read & filed there no reason to obstruct. Before I had online access I would telephone in advance ask for results -a time period or date helps- & then say I collect in 2 working days. This gives then time to print.Online access very useful as includes notes, letters & referrals.
The reason why has never been explained to me by the doctor, but my blood tests always come back with the remark, ‘Abnormal but expected’ and I have never thought to question it. Maybe I should.
No I started with loose stools first many years ago (around 10-12 years ago) had heat intolerance symptoms seem to get worse when was abroad in a hot country especially humid countrys I've been to the Dominican republic couple of times and felt shocking with the humidity and like spaced out even with the humidit at night (I live in uk)I was told it was ibs. Few years after i think it was I had a bad bout of palpatations whilst just sat in the car driving
Doctor said I should have gone to a&e but anyway he then put me on bisoprolol took them up and down as I was getting bradycardia on higher dose of 7.5mg I ended up on 2.5mg bisoprolol for around 8 years when it happened again I had palpatations felt shocking and I was put on sertraline 50mg told it was anxiety I asked doctor to see a cardiologist as I was worried although he said it wasn't my heart the symptoms are from my heart ? I don't know what this means ? I have seen cardiologists had all sorts of tests echocardiograms, monitors that they said showed mostly tachycardia and pvc's , had treadmill tests, a drug stress test and even a cardiac ct scan my thyroid tests in previously have never been said to me that they was abnormal until last weeks blood test all other blood tests liver, full blood count, kidneys was normal
Symptoms I have now are heat intolerance, dizzy when standing (have to sit and recently symptoms have seemed to get worse when this happens hence recent blood test) also feel tired alot but some nights really struggle to get any sleep I also have gastro problems like gerd and ibs symptoms
I'm now on bisoprolol 3.75mg and 50mg sertraline and have been since the last palpitations 2 or 3 years ago
I'm sure I was tried on other beta blockers including propranolol before the bisoprolol but the others didn't seem to help symptoms
The last palpatations 2 or 3 years ago doctor said could be atrial fibrillation but had monitor for 7 days and no atrial fibrillation
My dad has congenital heart disease (biscupid valve) although mine is normal tricuspid
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