Normal TSH - high Free Thyroxine

[Bobben]

Hi All,

I'm new to this group. I joined to find if someone has any advice.

I've been taking Eltroxin for years now and have had to make minor adjustments to dosage which now leaves me taking 150mg 3 days a week and 175mg 4 days a week.

My latest blood test (done every 6 months) shows my TSH is in the normal range while my Free Thyroxine is high at 24.

From my very brief Google search this looks like I am taking too high a dosage and I am to reduce my dosage.

My GP is having some issues wherein I can't make an appt yet so I'm wondering if I should just start reducing my dosage by a small amount myself 🥴

If anyone has had any experience with a similar issue and have any advice that would be great 🤗

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Always test thyroid levels early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

 

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Most important result is always 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.

Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease?

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...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

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 

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

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

How do you feel? If your TSH is OK then we really need to see the numbers. NHS doesnt test FT3 and thats what we need to see to know how your Levo is working for you. Many people test privately to get the information they need to be well.

I wouldn't be reducing anything on the information you have given.