Thyroid Function Tests

[Otto11]

Hi just a quick question. A GP I’ve never seen before said he would do full Thyroid bloods after I had a week of palpitations. The blood form stated TFT which I presume is Thyroid Function Tests. My results are back & all that has been done is my TSH. What a waste of my time. Any suggestions on what next. So annoyed 😡

[SlowDragon Administrator]

There’s nothing on your profile

presumably you are on levothyroxine?

How much levothyroxine

Always the same brand levothyroxine?

What was TSH result?

Obviously just testing TSH is completely inadequate

Was test done early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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

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 

what vitamin supplements are you currently taking

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

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. 

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

or you can pay extra for private blood draw or nurse to visit to your home

[Otto11 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks but there should be several posts on my profile. Maybe I have posted in the wrong place. I was having a rant really. I’ve been under medicated for years & recently had 2 dose increases but discharged from Endocrine last September. My T3 was still low. I’ve since done 2private tests & it was still at 3.4. I had a virus or something last week & had palpitations so GP offered to do a full Thyroid panel which was on the blood form but the lab has only done TSH. I’m looking into seeing a private Endocrinologist & have a list from Thyroid UK. So thanks very much for your reply.

[serenfach]

Most labs with do the TSH and if that is in range, will not bother with anything else. Mine is always out of range (low) and they still dont follow their protocol. As SlowDragon says, we are left with no alternative but to do our own privately.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to serenfach]

Yes….madness

I get T3 on NHS …but can’t get anything other than just TSH tested on NHS ….even though TSH is always suppressed

[Otto11 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes madness 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Otto11 in reply to serenfach]

Thanks. I’m already had 2 private tests recently & T3 needs looking at so when this GP offered I thought they would do all Thyroid tests but the lab only did TSH. I was just having a rant. Not sure why it’s not gone onto my profile.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Otto11]

You need to write your profile…..a summary of when diagnosed, cause and progress

Saves members trawling through previous posts to see your history

[Otto11 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks. I did my profile when I joined a few years ago. I’m not sure how to add more details & where to add. I don’t post often so there is only a few posts from me regarding current thyroid problems. Can you let me know if I have done it wrong.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Otto11]

Helpful if can update your bio with basic diagnosis and treatment so far

healthunlocked.com/user/Otto11

At moment just says your name and married etc

[Otto11 in reply to SlowDragon]

Ok. I have several conditions so if it’s in Bio then won’t it get confusing? There’s an awful lot of history tbh. I have RA Asthma Bronchiectasis & Epilepsy. I’m currently on holiday & don’t have paperwork with me but can do a brief summary for now if that’s ok.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Otto11]

when were most recent private test done

Please add results