Help With Blood Test Results

[Redhead16]

TSH - 0.05 mU/L 0.4-4.0

Hello, I’ve finally had my first appointment with an Endocrinologist after 27 years and have been diagnosed with Postpartum Thyroiditis, I was previously told by my GP that I had Hypothyroidism. I asked if this was an autoimmune condition and did she recommend taking vitamins and was told no to both. I’ve received a letter with blood test results and the Endo has advised me to reduce my dose from 100/125 on alternative days to 100 mcg 4 days a week and 125 mcg 3 days a week. I’m reluctant to do this as the blood was drawn at 3.30pm so the result will be skewed and I’ve had an increase in hypo symptoms recently. Please could you look at my results and advise me how to get well?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Presumably you were hoping for an increase in dose…..not reducing

Suggest you refuse to reduce dose and get full testing done correctly

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

blood was drawn at 3.30pm so the result will be skewed 

Correct.

When was last dose levothyroxine before this test

FT4: 15.7 pmol/l (Range 11.5 - 22.7)

Ft4 is only 37.50% through range

FT3: 4.8 pmol/l (Range 3.3 - 6.1)

Ft3 better at 53.57% through range

we ALWAYS recommend getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done BEFORE any consultation

That way

A) you can test early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

B) you can get ALL relevant testing

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 

Also 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

Are you taking any vitamins now?

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

Recommended 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...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

[Redhead16 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon, you confirmed what I already suspected and I will take your advice and refuse the dose decrease and point out to the GP that my FT3 & FT4 aren’t at optimal levels. Also that the blood test results will be incorrect because of the time they were taken.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Redhead16]

You need to get retesting done including vitamins and antibodies

And, if not already on gluten free diet, coeliac blood test

Come back with new post once you get results

[Redhead16 in reply to SlowDragon]

I will do, thank you.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Your endocrinologist is going by TSH - reducing levo will reduce FT4 & FT3 and your FT3 is already quite low.

Postpartum thyroiditis is also autoimmune.   

nhs.uk/conditions/thyroiditis/

According to NHS information levels return to “normal” within a year.

It may have been triggered postpartum but after 27 years it’s not a temporary issue. 

How do they know you don’t need supplements? There are no test results for nutrients. 

Recommend you arrange a private test including thyroid antibodies & nutrients.

Tell doctor you don’t want to reduce based on low TSH as your FT4 & FT3 levels are NOT over range.  

[tattybogle in reply to PurpleNails]

typo alert PurpleN ... last line ... now/not

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to tattybogle]

thanks 👍. I edited it.

[Redhead16 in reply to PurpleNails]

After reading your reply I’ll arrange to have a full blood panel done privately and hopefully I’ll get a better picture of where I am once and for all. Thanks for all your help.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

previous post here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Most endocrinologists are diabetes specialists

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of thyroid specialist endocrinologists and doctors

[e-mail]

[Redhead16]

That’s great, thank you SlowDragon.

[ThyroidThora]

Hi, have you had a baby? Postpartum thyroiditis is normally diagnosed within 6 months of having a baby not 27 years later.

[Redhead16]

Hi ThyroidThora, I had my first child 29 years ago & my GP diagnosed me with Hypothyroidism a year later. I was never referred to an Endocrinologist until my GP kept reducing my meds and I asked to see one as I was getting more & more hypo symptoms. I’ve asked many times over the years but have never been referred. When I met the Endocrinologist that’s what she diagnosed.