Thyroid runs in all our family..for quite a while have been feeling quite dreadful...i tool a thyroid test and my tsh level is at 4.73.Can someone tell me if they have been diagnosed and on medication for underactive throid with these test result figuresThank you in advance....
TEST RESULTS
TSH...4.73mu/L
THYROXINE...12.9pmo/L
TRIODOTHYRONINE...4.4pmo/L
Welcome to the forum
Just testing TSH is completely inadequate, but frequently all NHS will test
Looking at your other posts, you have endometriosis?
Endometriosis and autoimmune thyroid disease (hashimoto’s) are frequently linked
preventmiscarriage.com/endo...
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
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 both antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes both 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...
come back with new post once you get results
Are you currently taking any vitamin supplements?
Wow thank you for info.Had no idea endo and thyroid can be linked.I did have other test resukts that i have just added above..but these are just tsh t3 and t4..not on any vitimins but have had very bad vitamin d years ago.Doctor said it was the lowest she had seen at just 9.I suppose i really ahould be taking these.I paid for a private test as my old gp only ever testes the tsh levels and i read you need the 3 together
Vitamin D
So presumably you were prescribed LOADING dose vitamin D
That’s total of 300,000iu over 6-8 weeks
Vitamin D should have been retested at end of course
And you should have been advised to self supplement every day going forward and test annually
NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required
ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...
GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol.
Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol
leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...
GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)
mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...
But improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/218...
vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...
Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.
Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing
Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.
There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7.
One spray = 1000iu
amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...
It’s trial and error what dose we need, with thyroid issues we frequently need higher dose than average
Vitamin D and thyroid disease
grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...
Vitamin D may prevent Autoimmune disease
newscientist.com/article/23...
Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7
Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine
betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...
medicalnewstoday.com/articl...
livescience.com/61866-magne...
sciencedaily.com/releases/2...
Interesting article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium
drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...
Vitamin K2 mk7
betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...
healthline.com/nutrition/vi...
Wow Thank you so much...will take my time reading all this wonderful advice.Cant thank you enough.Thank goodness for this site and wonderful people like yourself. Yes my doctor stopped prescripton when levels grew. Have never been tested again x
What’s the range on Ft4 sand Ft3
Test..mu result from monitor my health say my results indicate i may have a mild form of underactive thyroid known as subclinical hypothyroidism.That this normally does not need treating at this stage but indicates i should have my thyroid hormones checked regularly and they recommend i test again in 3 to 6 months.Its just that i have been feeling dreadful for a year now and if i feel like this because it may be thyroid i would rather not wait.Have felt the cold for long time now along with great tiredness everything it such an effort.And with quite worrying weight gain that came on really quickly.I do not each much and diet has not changed
FT4: 12.9 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22)
Ft4 only 9.00% through range
FT3: 4.4 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8)
Ft3 struggling to maintain levels 35.14%
TSH is not reflecting how low your Ft4 is
Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH (all that most medics look at)
Highly likely with such low Ft4 that your vitamin levels are poor or terrible
Thank you so much for all the links and help you have sent me.It really is much appreciated Slowdragon.Do you have any advice on what i should do now based on my result.Does it appear to indicate thyroid do you think .Thank you again.Take care xx
P.s sorry to ask so much of you but i just wondered what it means that. "Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH (all that most medics look at)" i dont quite understand what that may mean xx
Next step
Get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested and most importantly BOTH TPO and TG thyroid antibodies
Cheapest is Medichecks
medichecks.com/products/adv...
ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning, ideally just before 9am
Likely to see your vitamins are low or terrible
Being hypothyroid frequently results in developing low stomach acid, this leads to poor nutrient absorption and low vitamin levels as direct result
Improving low vitamins is frequently first step to getting diagnosed
If Ft4 was under 12 your GP would be obligated to start you on levothyroxine
Similarly if TSH was over 5, with symptoms and especially if you have high thyroid antibodies, starting on levothyroxine
Starting levothyroxine - flow chart
hey, I hear you, you must feel awful.
I had a TSH (same range as yours) 4.2, 4.8 and then when I followed the time of day advice here from @slowdragon I got a 5.5 which allowed me to push the GP to prescribe, wave advice and guidance from here at a string of locums who thankfully prescribed increase after increase.
I was going to look when my first plea for help was…. Must be over 12 months I think. Started on 25mcg Levo, now on 125mcg. It’s an all consuming feat of determination and endurance to advocate for yourself, eat right, take all the right supplements but it does get better and easier.
wishing you well 🌱🦋🌱
Thank you so much ...so glad to hear that you have finally gotten the help you needed.Take care
Well said Regenallotment!
Hi Rachel20
I too followed forum advice, quite a bit of it given by Slowdragon.
I too am doing well, but as Regenallotment says - put in the work. Can't emphasis enough just read as much as you can work through the links provided (I did this too) put advice into practice and read others posts and bios this will really help you in building your knowledge.
It does get better, but be prepared to advocate for yourself (GPs don't learn much about the thyroid and in a few months you will know more).🤗
Thank you...Haha yes it seems everyone on here know much more.So good to hear you are doing well.Yes have read so much already thanks to Slowdragons help with all the links.Have definately learnt alot already.So i will keep going..and definately take all this great advice ..take care
Come back with new post once you get vitamin and thyroid results
Members can advise on what supplements you will need
If vitamins are deficient will need to take results to GP and get prescribed
If vitamins are low, but within range down to us to self supplement
Will do Slowdragon..thank you again...so appreciated.Hope you have a lovely day
👏 Rightbackatcha 🤗🌱
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