Hi all,Blood test done via GP indicates I am pre-menopausal which is what I expected. Thyroid result is not what I expected at all am quite concerned that these results have been categorised as normal!!! I would appreciate some advice please with these numbers. At present I am not on any thyroid medication. Considering these numbers does any one think levothyroxine is the way forward?
Results
TSH 2.6. 0.27- 4.20
Free T4. 12.7 12 -22
My concern is free T4 is at bottom of range which explains low energy, fatigue, brain fog, feeling cold etc.
I intend to treat thyroid myself if need be because can't be bothered battling the issue out with my GP.
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Purplezaney
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Thank you for your reply . I didn't have much choice about timings for blood test. I have ordered a private one and see what results I get. All my vitamin levels are fine. There is no autoimmune disease in family.
If.you.have.more.results.like.this.you.may.possibly.be.looking.at.Central.Hypothyroidism.which.is.where the problem lies with the hypothalamus or the pituitary rather than a problem with the thyroid gland. With Central Hypothyroidism the TSH can be low, normal or slightly raised, and the FT4 will be low.
TSH is a pituitary hormone, the pituitary checks to see if there is enough thyroid hormone, if not it sends a message to the thyroid to produce some. That message is TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). If there is enough hormone then there's no need for the pituitary to send the message to the thyroid so TSH remains low.
In Primary Hypothyroidism, which is where the thyroid fails, the TSH will be high.
However, with Central Hypothyroidism the signal isn't getting through for whatever reason so the message isn't getting through to the thyroid to produce hormone, hence low FT4. It could be due to a problem with the pituitary (Secondary Hypothyroidism) or the hypothalamus (Tertiary Hypothyroidism).
As Central Hypothyroidism isn't as common as Primary Hypothyroidism it's likely that your GP hasn't come across it before.
Your GP can look at BMJ Best Practice for information - here is something you can read without needing to be subscribed:
You could do some more research, print out anything that may help and show your GP.
You may need to be referred to an endocrinologist. If so then please make absolutely sure that it is a thyroid specialist that you see. Most endos are diabetes specialists and know little about the thyroid gland (they like to think they do and very often end up making us much more unwell that we were before seeing them). You can email ThyroidUK at
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
for the list of thyroid friendly endos. Then ask on the forum for feedback on any that you can get to. Then if your GP refers you, make sure it is to one recommended here. It's no guarantee that they will understand Central Hypothyroidism but it's better than seeing a diabetes specialist. You could also ask on the forum if anyone has been successful in getting a diagnosis of Central Hypothyroidism, possibly in your area which you'll have to mention of course.
Thank you for replying This is a lot to take in. I didn't have much choice about the timings of blood test and I wasn't aware of getting it done at that time. Also about not taking certain supplements. I have ordered a private blood test and I will what for the outcome.
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