My latest thyroid function test is showing a low TSH, my doctor says this is a good thing, is this correct? I've been feeling very unwell for a few weeks now, fatigue, pain and weakness at worst end. I do have fibromyalgia also, so I could well be having a flare up.
TSH 0.14 0.27 -4.20mu/L
T4 17.6 11.30 -21.60pmol/L
There is no T3 result.
Thanks in advance.
Written by
lilkitty
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
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
Do you know if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, also called Hashimoto’s
Was this test done early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drinking water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options and money off codes
Thanks SlowDragon, This is all coming back to me now. I've posted in the past, but I always forget all I've been told.
I'm currently taking 125 Levothyroxine. I usually take in the morning, but I don't always leave a 30 - 1 hour gap before having caffeine, so I decided to try taking at night, but my doctor told me earlier not to do this. I should of, but I did not ask why. I do take other meds (antidepressants) early evening, this could be the reason.
I'm not sure if the brand of Levothyroxine is the same brand with every prescription, although the box always looks the same, I think I would notice if it was different.
None of the above things you have mentioned were tested. This is all coming back to me now, and going off my doctors attitude on the phone earlier, which was very much "listen to me, I am right" I think I will go down the private testing route.
My test was early morning, I fasted, and did not take levo until after test.
I am currently taking a good Q10 supplement which I started taking for my gums and teeth as I have gum disease. It has actually helped with my fatigue also. But as I mentioned earlier, fatigue is quite bad at the moment, which with other symptoms such as muscle weakness and puffy eye lids, in the past has always been a thyroid issue. I am also taking Evening Primrose Oil for the Menopause. I have in the past taken other supplements... Vit D3, B-complex, cod liver oil, but I no longer take due to financial reasons.
My test was early morning, I fasted, and did not take levo until after test.
I usually take in the morning, but I don't always leave a 30 - 1 hour gap before having caffeine, so I decided to try taking at night, but my doctor told me earlier not to do this. I should of, but I did not ask why. I do take other meds (antidepressants) early evening, this could be the reason.
it’s fine to take levothyroxine at bedtime (on empty stomach) but any other medication should be at least 2 hours beforehand
But if currently still taking in morning, test now
So if you did decide eventually decide to take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night then ideally you would retest 6-8 weeks after changing
adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
It's neither good nor bad. It's irrelevant. The important number is the FT3, but doctors don't know that.
But, whether it's high or low, the TSH itself doesn't cause symptoms. It's a simple messenger telling the thyroid to make more or less thyroid hormone. Or, to initiate conversion.
Fibromyalgia often turns out to be un/under-treated hypo. And, I would say you are under-treated, despite your low TSH. Because your FT4 is not that high - most hypos need it highter, and as your TSH is low, your conversion probably isn't very good. And, it's low FT3 that causes symptoms. Which is why it's so important to test FT3. We can't really know what's going on without it.
As always, greygoose, you are right on with the fibro. My gp reduced levo, then diagnosed me with fibro and sent me to the rheumatologist. He diagnosed me as hypo, not fibro, which really upset the gp. For some reason that really makes me laugh out loud every time I think of it. Since I am on T3 my "fibro" has completely disappeared. Who would have thunk?
I don’t understand why doctors don’t prescribe NDTs and only T4. It is a THEORY that T4 converts to T3. I’m on an NDT and a T3. These doctors think one size fits all. Morons!
They just don't have the education to understand how it all works, and don't have the interest to find out for themselves. They have been taught that thyroid problems are no big deal, and that's what they believe. And, they deny the evidence of their own eyes, dismissing us all as hypochondriacal whingers because what they learn is med school is sacred and they never question it.
I am grossly generalising, of course. There are always exceptions, but finding them is like looking for the holy grail!
Have you considered hrt? It’s been a game changer for me (56) and banished fibromyalgia symptoms. I recently read the thyroid is considered to be the third ovary! So a balance of related hormones makes sense.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.