I've not contacted this group before. I just got my results back and here they are ;-
My Doctor reduced me from 125 mg to 100mg about 18 months ago and I'm wondering whether my low result is because of this ? I've been feeling rough for months. I'm talking to my GP on Tues and want to ask for my dose to be increased. Any advice ? What can I ask for ?
Many thanks
Yes
Looks like you took levothyroxine before test
ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year especially when been under medicated
Request 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine and bloods retested 6-8 weeks time
Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
Just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate
what vitamin supplements are you currently taking
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3
plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
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
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 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...
Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65
(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)
monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...
10% off code here
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
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...
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
If you take your Levo just before the blood test then you are measuring what you have just taken. To get best results and the correct dose you need to have taken your last Levo 24hrs before the blood test. Otherwise you get a false high of FT4 and your doctor will reduce your dose.
Thank you very much ! I don't remember taking my medication before my test though but it is possible , I have been very forgetful of late. I will ask for another test and some more that you mentioned.
Also make sure the test is at or as close as possible to 9am.
Frankham
To get a measure of your normal circulating hormone and for nothing to interfere in any way with your results, always advised here when having thyroid tests:
* Book the first appointment of the morning, or with private tests at home no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day.
In fact, 9am is the perfect time, see first graph here, it shows TSH is highest around midnight - 4am (when we can't get a blood draw), then lowers, next high is at 9am then lowers before it starts it's climb again about 9pm:
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
If we are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction then we need TSH to be as high as possible.
* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the test - have your evening meal/supper as normal the night before but delay breakfast on the day of the test and drink water only until after the blood draw. Certain foods may lower TSH, caffeine containing drinks affect TSH.
* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw. If taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw, split dose and adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.
* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (most labs use biotin).
These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with phlebotomists or doctors.
Thankyou ! That is helpful.
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