I had a total thyroidectomy last year due to thyroid cancer. I am currently on 200mg Levothyroxine per day, having increased from 175mg approx 5-6 weeks ago.
Since having my thyroid fully out I have had various weird symptoms that I have never had before and just want to be sure that I am keeping within the correct ranges for my T3/T4, TSH etc and also that I am getting all the vitamins I need. The NHS are testing my T3/T4 and TSH every 3-4 months but I would like to supplement this with some private tests (particularly regards vitamins) to make sure I am not suffering needlessly.
Could anyone recommend a specific company or set of tests that would be appropriate for someone in my position please? I have had a look at the 10 companies on this website but got quite confused by what each of the services actually test for. For example, do I need to test for things like Thyroid peroxidase and antibodies to thyroglobulin seeing as I do not even have a thyroid?! I want the most comprehensive test possible but equally do not want to pay for things that are completely irrelevant given my lack of thyroid!
Thanks in advance!!
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Hsaw
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Thank you Slowdragon. I will ask GP, no harm trying I guess!!
Someone mentioned that it may be worth checking cholesterol and diabetes, as apparently I may be more suseptable to these given my condition?
Also, I have (literally!) just found out that my B12 level is 181, apparently the baseline is 180, this seems low, especially as us Levo people need optimum vitamin levels!!
I have just started taking multivitamins (3 days ago) but the blood test I refer to above was done before I started....
Thank you for your help. Its a bit alarming that you say my B12 is 'extremely low' as the nurse who just called said that as the level is above the 'baseline' that it is nothing to be concerned about! However, she was a Lymphoma nurse, rather than a thyroid nurse (I have lymphoma too!!). thanks again!
Hi @SlowDragon, apologies for resurrecting this old thread, but I have just had my bloods done again (I will post full results on a new thread once results are all received via email), but in the meantime I have been told that my B12 was still at 181, so I have been prescribed Cyanocobalamin 100 microgram tablets by my GP as I was having tingling hands and feet.
Do you think that this will be sufficient to treat this deficiency in the short term? (I note your previous comments regarding starting a vitamin B complex 2 weeks after starting this one, and I will source this myself as the GP was not willing to do a prescription for this).
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and add a separate vitamin B Complex after a week
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate methyl folate supplement and continue separate B12
Did you manage to register for online access to your medical records held at your primary care surgery.
It does make life easier as you bypass keep asking permission every time blood test are back and you can read your file at your leisure.
I can't really add more to what I've already written -
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A test for thyroglobulin itself (rather than antibodies to it) is usual post-treatment for thyroid cancer. Presence of thyroglobulin suggests that there is some remaining or re-grown thyroid tissue.
(That doesn't mean that Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin antibodies shouldn't also be done.)
Im not sure what your saying I did tell him to test because he had thyroid cancer and I test often for THYROGLOBULIN + THYROGLOBULIN AB and THYROGLOBULIN IMA because of Thyroid Cancer .
If you have thyroid cancer in the US both THYROGLOBULIN + THYROGLOBULIN AB get tested together automatically I was assuming the same was for UK and the poster was just unsure.
I understand NHS isn’t doing the Thyroglobulin he asked and I said yes as far as thyroglobulin AB Vs Thyroglobulin Im guessing Thyroglobulin is standard and AB is for someone like me who has autoimmune issues but honestly not sure why I get both always have since thyroidectomy and I will ask next Endo appointment.
3 practical uses for testing TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibodies) are:
a) to find out if you have autoimmune thyroid disease gradually destroying your thyroid ~ obviously no longer relevant to you , it's gone already.
b) to provide evidence that allows GP to prescribe thyroid hormone replacement in the earlier stages of hypothyroidism. ~ not relevant, you are already prescribed it.
c) to confirm the likely need for levo in disputed cases ~ also not relevant ~ 'total thyroidectomy' absolutely proves the need for lifelong thyroid hormone replacement .
....... finding out that you have high TPOab / or TGab won't change any aspect of the thyroid treatment you receive , so as money is tight i wouldn't bother getting either of them ~ if they come as a package with the TSH / fT4 /fT3/Vitamin results then fine , but don't pay extra to get them.
(As helvella said. 'Thyroglobulin' test is different , that is used as a potential cancer marker, but Doc's should have been keeping an eye on that one for you).
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Advice please
Total thyroidectomy 
Blood test advice please
Blood tests after total thyroidectomy
THYROID RESULTS IN AND NOT GOING THE WAY I WANT THEM TO!! Advice please?
