Are my thyroid levels ok?

[CarolineWade]

Hi

I'm currently on levothyroxine 100mg and have an underactive thyroid.

My latest test results are...

TSH = 1.39

T4 = 14.3

Are these levels ok?

Many thanks

Caroline

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

CarolineWade

Are these levels ok?

It's more a question of how you feel not what the numbers are.

We also need reference ranges for your results. We can tell you that your TSH is a bit higher than where most people feel best (when hypo and on Levo) but we can't comment on your FT4 because we don't have the reference range that came with it, ranges vary considerably from lab to lab, eg 7-17, 9-19, 11-23, 12-22 plus others.

Can you let us know what the reference range is please.

Also, testing FT3 as well as TSH and FT4 is desirable as T3 is the active hormone that every cell in our bodies need and it's the FT3 that tells us if we are overmedicated.

Most hypo patients on Levo only tend to feel best when TSH is 1 or below with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges, but this is not set in stone and is very individual so we have to take into accounts any symptoms we may have and find our own sweet spot.

[CarolineWade in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks so much for your reply.

The lab reference range is 7-17.

I don't know why but whenever I've had blood tests they never give the FT3 levels which is very annoying.

I should also say that my cholesterol level has increased to 5.7 and I eat a very healthy diet and I'm wondering if this has anything to do with my thyroid as I know it can affect it?

I'm not feeling that good at the moment with increased levels of fatigue, anxiety, very dry and scaly skin, muscle weakness, a numb leg, constipation and weight gain to name just some of the symptoms.

I have a call with a doctor on Tuesday with regards to my cholesterol level and I'm also going to discuss my thyroid but the trouble is GP's just don't know enough.

C x

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to CarolineWade]

CarolineWade

OK, so your FT4 is 14.3 (7-17) which is 73% through range, which on the face of it is good. However, because we don't have an FT3 result we don't know whether you are converting T4 into T3 well enough. Unfortunately the NHS rarely tests FT3 and most doctors are ignorant of the importance of FT3.

The symptoms you have mentioned are typical of hypothyroidism/under medication and I think they could very well be from low FT3 level. Your GP is unlikely to be able to get this tested, even if he understood this, so if it was me I'd do a private test with Monitor My Health which is an NHS lab at Exeter hospital who offer home fingerprick tests. If this comes back with low FT3 then as it's an NHS lab it would be difficult for your GP to refuse to accept the results.

Poor conversion can be caused by poor nutrient levels so it would be a good idea to test Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin. Your GP may or may not be willing to do these. Again they can be done with Monitor My Health.

Basic thyroid test (TSH,FT4, FT3): monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Advanced thyroid test (as above plus antibodies): monitormyhealth.org.uk/adva...

Full Health Screen (Basic thyroid plus vitamins plus diabetes plus cholesterol): monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% discount code THYROIDUK10

Your cholesterol is likely high due to low FT3, it's all linked. Don't let your GP push statins on to you, this is what the NHS says:

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.

I think in your position it's essential to know your FT3 level and if you haven't already had vitamins tested then that's very important too.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts

Terrible Vitamin levels in past especially B12

Are you now taking daily vitamin D and daily vitamin B complex

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

GP will only treat vitamin deficiencies

But down to you to self supplement to bring all four to optimal levels

Did you ever get thyroid antibodies test results

If not get these tested

Medichecks is cheapest for TSH, Ft4, FT3 plus both thyroid antibodies and all four vitamins

Test early Monday or Tuesday morning

Avoid Bank holidays

Test early morning and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours before test

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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...

Just Thyroid includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies -£49

randoxhealth.com/at-home/Th...

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.