Understanding blood test results

[NotSoBizzyLizzy]

Hello, I would like to know more about these test results and what they mean, where should my numbers be? I have been given levothyroxine 50mg a day. Have another blood test tomorrow. Thanks

[Hedgeree]

Hi NotSoBizzyLizzy,

Welcome to the forum 🙂

It would be best to edit your results photo as your consultant's name and phone number and secretary's details are visible.

There's lots of knowledgeable members' here that will be able to make suggestions on your blood results.

Best wishes.

[NotSoBizzyLizzy in reply to Hedgeree]

Thank you for your advice, all edited.

[radd]

NotSoBizzyLizzy,

Your results are really tricky to read. You might receive more interest if you type them out (complete with ranges) 😁. 

FT4 looks low but I can’t see FT3.  

TPOAb are normal but I can’t see TGAb. 

Electrolytes I can’t read and you’ve cut off sex hormone results at the top. 

[NotSoBizzyLizzy in reply to radd]

Hi Radd, this print out, is alls I have re ranges. Willaybe look into typing them out next time. Thank you for you response.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group.

Are these your original blood results that caused you to be started on treatment?

It looks to me like you have Central Hypothyroidism where the signalling in the brain from the pituitary doesn't work well and so your thyroid doesn't put out enough hormone.

This will mean that you should ignore your TSH which is what many doctors are taught is the only test needed unfortunately. You will need to be looking at your FT4 result which as you can see was below the reference range on this test.

Your FT4 will need to be in the upper quarter of the reference range. You may also need to do private blood tests to discover what your FT3 is. FT3 shows the active hormone that actually makes your body function.

When you take T4 (Levothyroxine) your body stores that and then makes T3. Some peoples bodies do this better than others so it is good to check if you are converting T4 to T3. The NHS ignores this however and only rarely tests FT3.

It's ideal if you can always get the same brand of levo at every prescription. You can do this by getting GP to write the brand you prefer in the first line of the prescription. Many people find that different brands are not interchangeable.

Always take Levo on an empty stomach an hour away from food or caffeine containing drinks & other meds. Many people find taking it at bedtime works well for them.

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

There is also a new company offering walk in & mail order blood tests in Crawley, Hove and Reigate areas. No charge for blood draw in clinic. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)? Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo just prior to blood draw can show a falsly elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

[NotSoBizzyLizzy in reply to Jaydee1507]

Ah Jaydee, thank you as that was so informative.

[NotSoBizzyLizzy in reply to NotSoBizzyLizzy]

Also, yes this is what drs.went off to start on treatment.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to NotSoBizzyLizzy]

Start a new post when you have the vitamin results and people can make recommendations.

[NotSoBizzyLizzy in reply to Jaydee1507]

OK will do.

[NotSoBizzyLizzy in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi, I have had another blood test and these are the result, TSH, 0.58

T4, 14.7

T3, 4.1

Are these levels ok?

Cheers lizzy

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to NotSoBizzyLizzy]

Was this test done at the same lab as the last one? If so:

Free T4 (fT4) 14.7 pmol/L (11 - 25) 26.4%

You need to give a reference range for the FT3, they vary from lab to lab.

Previously your FT4 has been below range, which coupled with a reasonable TSH points to central hypothyroidism. This result is better but not great, would expect FT4 to be higher.

Can't comment on FT3 without a reference range.

Did you manage to get your vitamins tested?

[NotSoBizzyLizzy in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi, I will get a print out from drs as this is the first time they done my T3 re ranges and got this info over phone.

250H VitD, 64 nmol/L

VitB12 , 352 ng/L <180-900

Foliate, 6.7 ug/L, > 3.0

Iron, 29 umol/L, <10-30

Transferrin 2.5 g/L, <2.0-4.0

Transferrin saturation, 46.2 % <20.0-50.0

Albumin, 51 g/L <35-50

Thats alls I have re vitamins.

Can I ask, if I have anti TPO antibodies 10.6 u/ml <34.0. (Thyroid peroxidase IgG Ab,,, this was the test) What does that exactly mean?

Cheers lizzy

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to NotSoBizzyLizzy]

Firstly, for that test your TPO antibodies were negative as below the range. That doesn't mean that you don't have autoimmune thyroid disease though, as firstly only one test and levels can fluctuate. Secondly the NHS only test one type of antibody and a proportion of people only test positive for Tg antibodies (Thyroglobulin) which you can currently only test privately for.

Thirdly around 10% of Hashi hypo people are seronegative and never show positive antibodies.

Was there a ferritin result?

Vitamin D should be around 100 - 150. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Many people like the Better You range of mouth sprays. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150. wildatlantichealth.com/vita...

Are you vegan or vegetarian? If not:

B12 - do you have symptoms of B12 deficiency? The reference range for B12 is very wide and cut off point too low. theb12society.com/signs-and...

If you do then you should discuss this with your doctor for further tests for Pernicious Anaemia.

If not, then start with a methyl B12 sublingual spray or lozenge for a week, then add a good B complex. Once you run out of the separate B12 just continue with the B complex.

gb.pipingrock.com/methylcob...

cytoplan.co.uk/vitamin-b12-...

amazon.co.uk/Better-You-Boo...

This B complex has all the right vitamins at a not unreasonable cost for 90 days supply(also contains folate). Once B12 is good (over 500) you can stop the stand alone B12 and just continue with the B complex. amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...

Folate - aim for a level of 20. The above B complex contains folate.

[NotSoBizzyLizzy in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you so much, this is so very helpful.No ferritin on results.

In 4 months I can see a private health care professional, to get a real in depth look at what I'm missing and advice on what to do. Re me getting the optimal levels for everything, so I don't keep feeling the way I do. Thanks a bunch.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to NotSoBizzyLizzy]

Advice here is free. 🙂