Test result low TSH high T4: Good morning, Can... - Thyroid UK

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Test result low TSH high T4

gaellea profile image
15 Replies

Good morning,

Can anyone please help with the results of my blood test? I have both Hashimoto and Grave and have been on Lexo for the past few years, currently 125mg. TSH came back very low at 0.07 (was 1.3 a year ago) and T4 high at 25 (15 a year ago). Unfortunately no T3 despite our request. Folate is low and serum ferritin on the low side too (27ugl range 13-150)Not too sure how much iron supplements I should take.? From the results, have I gone hyper? What is the next step? Reducing Levothyroxin and have a new blood test in a couple of month? I am constantly tired and really need to sort it out. Thank you!

            

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gaellea profile image
gaellea

test results second page

Test results
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

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

SeasideSusie or humanbean might pop along and comment on low ferritin

You need vitamin D levels tested too

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing 

vitamindtest.org.uk

See GP for prescription for folic acid for folate deficiency

Both B12 and folate are too low

Don’t start folic acid until week after starting B12 supplement

Low B12 symptoms 

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

methyl-life.com/blogs/defic...

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement

Once you finish prescription folic acid…..look at add a separate vitamin B Complex 

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 

B12 drops 

natureprovides.com/products...

Or

B12 sublingual lozenges 

uk.iherb.com/pr/jarrow-form...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) 

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid 

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) 

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay 

Other options 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

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

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

gaellea profile image
gaellea in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you very much for all you advise. I have a follow up with the doctor next week so will make sure to follow your advice. Blood test was done at 9.20 and took Levo more than 24h before that. No too sure if I should reduce it or stop it? Does the results suggest I have gone hyper instead of hypo? It is very confusing. Thank you once again for your help.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply togaellea

Definitely don’t change dose levothyroxine

You likely currently have poor conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) because vitamin levels are low

Poor conversion results in high Ft4 and low Ft3

Obviously with no Ft3 test …..you’re in the dark

Low Ft3 results in low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels result in low Ft3

It’s a vicious circle

So many (most? ) patients on levothyroxine we need to supplement vitamin D, separate magnesium and daily vitamin B complex continuously

Initially you need B12 first to improve low B12 up over 500. But in few months maybe able to slowly reduce and stop B12, just remaining on vitamin B complex to maintain optimal folate and B12

Likely vitamin D is low too ……unless you’re supplementing?

Get tested

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Suggest you start B12, add folic acid.

Get vitamin D tested.

Assuming result is low…..Start vitamin D supplement and separate magnesium

Work on improving low ferritin

Retest TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together in 6-8 weeks

You should see lower Ft4 and (hopefully) a reasonable Ft3

If not already on strictly gluten free diet and/or dairy free diet it’s always worth trying with Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease

gaellea profile image
gaellea in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I will follow your advise, hope my doctor will agree as her recommendation on the test results I received was to decrease Levo. I don’t currently take supplements. Will start with B12 as suggested and will also ask for Vit D test. Thank you!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply togaellea

GP should prescribe Folic Acid

And they should test vitamin D (but rarely do)

and should test coeliac blood test too if not tested yet

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £31 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

If GP wants you to reduce dose

Politely say you will be testing TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together FIRST

If Ft3 isn’t over range your not over medicated

gaellea profile image
gaellea in reply toSlowDragon

That’s extremely helpful, great to know what I need to say during my next appointment. Thank you!

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie

Hello Gaellea :

When diagnosed Graves and Hashimotos which antibodies were found positive in your blood test and were both AI diseases diagnosed at the same time- and when was this ?

Were you initially prescribed an Anti Thyroid drug for Graves - and ultimately given definitive treatment such as a thyroidectomy or RAI thyroid ablation and then prescribed T4 - thyroid hormone replacement ?

gaellea profile image
gaellea in reply topennyannie

Hi Pennyannie,

I was diagnosed firstly with Graves 13 years ago after the birth of my son. I was on Carbimazole. Probably a year later was diagnosed with Hashimoto and started Levothyroxine and have been on it ever since until a few months ago when I was hyper again (I was on 100mcg Levo, reduced it and finally stopped). No other treatment. Not sure what to do next, have an appointment with the GP on Friday so any advise is very welcome.

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie in reply togaellea

Both Graves and Hashimoto's are Auto Immune diseases - Graves multi organ with Hashimoto's targeting only the thyroid and eyes.

Both tend to happen in women at times of raised thyroid hormone levels - so at puberty, pregnancy and menopause - with stress and anxiety being common triggers for Graves - and with pregnancy the triggers are more likely to be early stage Hashimoto's.

The early stages of Hashimoto's present with high over range thyroid hormones and is often confused with Graves - and why it is important to check which antibodies were found in the initial blood test -

so unless you have a positive antibody reading for Graves - and positive TRab / TSI or TSH Thyroid Receptor results and ranges - I'm tending to think you likely were with Hashimototo's from the outset - though I'm happy to be proved wrong.

Hashimoto's is not mdicated with an Anti Thyroid drug such as Carbimazole as the thyroid hormoes fall back down into range by themselves and the patient ultimately become hypothyroid and needs to b prescribed thyroid hormone replacement - T4 - Levothyroxine.

Sorry - I've just seen this post is a year old - and SDragon seems to have covered all the bases anyway - apologies !!

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie in reply topennyannie

Now realise I should have written on the later post - thought I was going mad there for a minute !!

So this message stays as is - and see that GG has asked a similar question of you re Graves status :

gaellea profile image
gaellea in reply topennyannie

Thanks Pennyannie, no worries at all! Graves was diagnosed after a thyroid scan and antibodies.

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie in reply togaellea

So you have TRab antibodies / TSI antibodies - or a TSH Thyroid Receptor result and range ?

gaellea profile image
gaellea in reply topennyannie

I will double check but I am pretty sure it was based on Trab.

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