blood tests: hello, can anyone help me figure out... - Thyroid UK

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blood tests

Laundry profile image
11 Replies

hello, can anyone help me figure out these tests?

I had a private test in April. Results showed

TSH 1 normal (0.55-4.8)

Free thyroxine 9.2pmol/l (10.4-19.4) low

Also showed low iron and vit d and folate. I’ve had iron infusion, vit d injection and b12 and b complex injections

nhs gp wanted to retest results today are

TSH 2.67 (0.35 - 4.94)

Serum free t4 11.9pmol/l (9-19)

Taken 9am. Not eaten.

Do you think these vitamins could’ve cause the thyroid results and symptons?

im undiagnosed and feel like death still

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Laundry profile image
Laundry
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11 Replies
pennyannie profile image
pennyannie

Hello Laundry :

Have you ever had your thyroid antibodies run ?

Your T4 has improved a little but it is still low in range and think something ' thyroid ' must be going on.

Seeing you have recently had an iron infusion, B12 complex and vitamin D injections I can only imagine your core strength vitamins and minerals levels serious low and your health compromised.

Hopefully once these injections take full effect you may start to feel a bit better - I'm sorry but I don't know enough to say much more but hopefully I'll be able to bump you up the forum and other members will feel better able to help you.

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator

What time of day was this test taaken and had you fasted also before it?

What symptoms are you experiencing?

Exactly what were you given in the B complex injection? What type of B12/folate did they use?

Usual recommendation is to take ongoing Methyl/active B complex such as this one.

amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...

Have your antibodies been tested?

You need a full thyroid function test to include TSH, FT4 & FT3 + antibodies + vitamins if they haven't been done in the past 6 months.

Laundry profile image
Laundry in reply to Jaydee1507

Bloods done 9am. Not eaten.

Gp will not do any other tests. Private bloods done in April showed low in vit d, iron, folate. No other vitamin or mineral or thyroid tests done.

Gp is not interested. I eat a healthy diet and take iron and supplements. Have done for years but still low iron etc so I had the iron infusion and vit injections myself in the hope it would make me feel better. I’m still feeling…

Symptoms

Crushing fatigue for years (slept 15.5h still tired), cold all the time, ringing ears, memory issues that feel like dementia, dry skin, weight gain that I can’t loose, strange water retention in upper arms, face, tummy, thighs. Nerve pain, carpel tunnel, tennis elbow, back and neck pain, muscle pain, joint pain, dry itchy skin, pins abs needles, anxious, sad, low, heavy periods, look pale/tired, short of breath, eye sight deteriorated

Previously diagnosed with

Peri meno (on HRT), pmdd, anxiety/depression (on sertraline), adhd (on elvanse). Still feel like death

Is this thyroid? What tests should I be getting asap? I’ve seen 3 gps in the hope that one of them will take me seriously but they are not. I’ve been saying something is wrong for over 10 years🥹 I just want to feel better

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply to Laundry

Unfortunately when it comes to fatigue and associated issues many of us have to take things into our own hands. Vitamin supplements inparticular. The NHS will only treat a deficiency and not provide ongoing supplements.

I have previously recommended this B complex which would help your low folate. Having an infusion will only last you so long and you likely need ongoing supplements.

amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...

Has your iron level been rechecked since you had the infusion?

You really need your thyroid antibodies checked which are included in the many private thyroid panels. 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...

I see that your FT4 has been below range at one point which would definitely point to a thyroid condition, possible secondary hypothyroidism where the pituitary doesnt work well so the thyroid then doesnt put out enough hormone.

Your FT4 is now at 29% of range which is still not good enough for most people although your TSH only just above 2.

PLMD often linked to low iron/ferritin.

ADHD linked to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome/ Hypermobility Spectrum disorder.

Have you tried any dietary changes yet? Gluten & dairy would be top of the list to eliminate one by one.

Laundry profile image
Laundry in reply to Jaydee1507

thank you for this reply. I’ve replied below. What would you sim for in a range for t4? If 29% is not good enough?

How long after b vit injection do you need to wait for blood test?

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply to Laundry

Your active B12 was good in the results you posted 2 months ago but your folate was low. The B complex should fix that.

Your FT4 should likely be above 50%

Laundry profile image
Laundry

thanks for this @jadee I’ve only been considering that this is Thyroid for the last few weeks. I just hoped the iron and vit d might do the trick but it hasn’t.

I’ve not cut anything out of my diet yet because I know that they’ll want me on gluten for celiac test. I’d like to find out exactly what is going on first and then come up with a plan.

I’ve ordered the supplements you suggested. I did have b complex, methyl folate etc but I’ve read you shouldn’t take when you are going to have a blood test so I want to arrange that asap and then sort out deficiencies

I’ve been looking back through nhs blood results on the app and there’s a few red flags

TSH is always normal

Iron been low/boarderline for years since I had my babies

Iga when they suspected celiac was v v v low (never looked into)

CRP is up at 4.8 (2023)and has been over 2 for years (drs have always said “bloods are all fine nothings wrong”)

Alkaline phosphatase low or just below range

mchc low

Mpv high

Hormones on the decline until started HRT

What is going on? ? !!

-What vitamins should I check for? Magnesium, selenium, zinc, copper anything else? Iodine?

- full thyroid tests inc antibodies

- prolactin, growth hormone for secondary hypothyroidism?

- dhea and cortisol? For adrenal issues?

- other autoimmune markers? Celiac?

- are micro biome tests reliable?

- are intolerance tests reliable?

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply to Laundry

Zinc, copper and iodine are expensive blood tests and may not lead you to better health. For now stick with ferritin, folate, B12 & D3.

Your B12 levels will now not show your base levels for up to 3 months having had an infusion. You cn start the B complex though.

- full thyroid tests inc antibodies - yes

- prolactin, growth hormone for secondary hypothyroidism? I don't know enough about these to answer.

- dhea and cortisol? For adrenal issues? Possibly but again may not be the full picture.

- other autoimmune markers? Celiac? Definitely need a coeliac test.

- are micro biome tests reliable? Yes they are reliable.

- are intolerance tests reliable? They are a good guide but an elimination diet is the gold standard.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Get coeliac blood test now

Get full thyroid including antibodies and vitamins in 6-8 weeks after working on improving low vitamin levels

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am

This gives highest TSH 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. 

Are you vegetarian or vegan

Do you suspect you might be dairy intolerant?

Gingernut44 profile image
Gingernut44

What about Central Hypo SeasideSusie . Could these results mean that the pituitary is at fault?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Gingernut44

Private test suggests CH but NHS test doesn't. Important to test antibodies.

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