Can you help with my results please?

[BETD20]

Hello there,

Please can you help me read my results from a postal blood test?

Thanks ever so much.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group.

Can you tell us a bit about your thyroid journey? Are you diagnosed and on Levo?

Really you need an FT3 test to know whats going on along with TSH and FT4. It's a shame your lab didn't do that.

[Alanna012]

Welcome to the forum!

Are you experiencing any symptoms of thyroid illness or are you currently taking any medication? What are your symptoms?

[BETD20 in reply to Alanna012]

¹Thanks both. I sent off for the test last week after realising my eyebrows are non-existent and the hairs that are left can be pinched and pulled out without pain really. My eyebrows are tattooed underneath and have been for years, it was only when I looked closely in the bright sunlight to pluck the surrounding area I noticed there was hardly any hair left. The bit remaining is mostly nearer my nose at the beginning of them if you see what I mean.

I would say I struggle with constipation at times, definitely low-libido and anxiety too but have had a stressful past few 6 months with various family stuff going on...

I am also quite overweight with a bmi of 37.something. Struggled with binge eating disorder for years so find that so hard to tackle without become obsessive. 😢 I also don't drink enough water so not helping myself I know. Is it that that's causing all the issues rather than thyroid? I really don't know.

[Alanna012 in reply to BETD20]

Well welcome to the Missing Eyebrow Club! We have many members here and if you give me your address I'll send your official membership badge in the post asap. Just let me know where you are: a quarter eyebrow missing is Bronze, half is Silver, three quarters is Gold, gone completely is Platinum and you get a premium if they're also turning grey.

Slowdragon has given you great advice. I'm sorry to hear about the stress you're under, - it must be very anxiety provoking - and the battle you're having with binge eating. Binge eating likely leads to nutrient deficiencies and these can have an affect on your hormones over time. Don't be upset about it though, as unless we consciously work on it, most of us in the west have a nutrient deficient diet, and eat foods that are frankly not worthy of the real description of what food is supposed to be even when we're so-called healthy and other things that cause hormonal disruption. (At the time that my own troubles started, I would have been classed as very healthy. Looking back I was not for many reasons).

Yes, unfortunately the test you ordered is largely a waste of money and doesn't contain the information you need. If you order one of the other tests that includes the T3, antibodies and vitamins and post the results here you will see why and receive more well rounded advice - as said your T4 is looking low but can't pinpoint why without the other test markers.

I recommend doing that before going to your GP so you know where you really are, as regrettably you are unlikely to receive the same comprehensive testing or advice.

(I was being tongue-in-cheek about the eyebrow loss, I know how distressing it can be, mine are falling every day, not tried tattooing or micro blading yet as I have so many other priorities)

Once you know where you are, and what is going on in your body, you're in a better position to reverse symptoms,improve your health and wellbeing. Stick around!

[BETD20 in reply to Alanna012]

Hah - I could definitely be a member! 😉Thank you for the warm welcome and the detailed reply.

My husband is pushing me to go to the doctors first but I am inclined to get the home test first. He is saying - what if it isn't thyroid related and it's another issue but the eyebrow thing is making me think it is thyroid.

What a waste of money with the original test. This is the one my doctor's app linked to. 😔

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ft4 is low in range

You need to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done

TSH, Ft4 and Ft3

Plus BOTH TPO and TG thyroid antibodies

Vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am

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...

usually the cheapest that includes antibodies

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Or

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.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...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

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

[BETD20 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you ever so much. This was a £39 test from London Laboratory and I did it at 4.30pm - not really worth the money then if it only tested for those two things. 🤔 If you get a blood test through the doctors, do you get tested for all the above?

Thanks so much for your time.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BETD20]

rarely

Hence 129,000 members on here

GP will test TSH …..and if “within range “ unlikely to test anything else

Any autoimmune diseases running in your family

You MIGHT get GP to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

[BETD20 in reply to SlowDragon]

Not that I am aware of re; family but I only have my mum and two siblings who I can't imagine would ever have tested for it.I found the finger prick blood test horrible. I can handle all sorts of yucky stuff but blood and veins make me feel awful. 🙈😢

Thanks so much for your time. It looks like I need to buy another test then. I know you sent the link to the different tests but would you mind telling me which one you think includes everything?

[BETD20 in reply to SlowDragon]

Apologies. I've just seen the links further down - thank you!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BETD20]

Both Medichecks and Blue horizon offer private blood draw at “local to you” clinic - for an extra fee

medichecks.com/pages/clinic...

only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning