I now have my original blood test (only TSH) from 9th May 2023, after which I was sent immediately to the doctor and put on 100 mg of (Accord) Levothyroxine. It reads "Serum TSH level 18.7 mu/L [0.27 - 4.2]; Above high reference limit".
Now I have the recent blood test from 24th June after about 7 weeks' 100mg Levo. It reads "Serum TSH level 0.29 mu/L [0.27 - 4.2]". Result: Normal. No Further Action and the comment (on the telephone) from the doctor "well, that looks all right. We can keep you on 100mg or lower the dose a bit if you want", I said I'd stick with the dose for the moment and wouldn't it be a good idea to have a further test because it suddenly, after only 7 weeks or so of medication, swinging back to normal was a bit "odd" to me after all I read here of other peoples' problems. So I will have another test done in a few weeks - the doc was quite prepared to leave it a year!. So we will see what we will see. Am still baffled, as I never felt ill and still don't feel any different. I now worry that something has got c**cked up somewhere along the line. I will also try and push for T3 and T4 results.
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Dakota1234
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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
Have you had thyroid antibodies, vitamin levels tested
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
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, only drink water between waking and test 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
don't worry , it's not odd that TSH has gone down from 18 to 0.29 in 7 wks on 100mcg .... 100mcg is a decent sized dose , roughly what most people would eventually end up on , ..... you just got there quicker by starting with 100mcg straight away , rather than having to go up slowly and taking months about it .
The TSH is fine at 0.29 .. so if you feel ok , GP is correct , no need to change dose at the moment..... but i agree , it's probably a good idea to have another check in with the GP in a couple of months make sure blood results are stable, and check if you still feel ok .
NHS unlikely to be able to do fT3 .
they may or may not do fT4 ~ when TSH is within range they don't always do fT4 .
but if you feel ok , there's nothing to worry about .....and no particular need to know your fT4 if you feel ok and if TSH is in range.. finding out fT4 and fT3 levels is needed when looking for the cause of problems .. if you don't have any problems it's not vital to know what fT4 is. ( but it does obviously give a much fuller picture than just TSH)
not everyone has problems. it can seem that way , reading posts on here ...but that's cos most people come on here because they were already having problems.
Thank you. I am finding the situation a bit stressful with all the rather negative stuff I keep reading. I shall ask the GP about further tests etc in a few weeks' time and keep taking the Levo 100 mgs. I will obviously keep an eye on my general health but I do feel all the information flying around is rather panic-inducing. Thank you once again.
as I never felt ill and still don't feel any different
You’re very lucky
With TSH of 18 many people would feel very unwell, but we have members who were diagnosed with much higher TSH and also completely unaware they had a thyroid problem
Yet many people feel dreadful with TSH over 3
We are all different
Important to test cholesterol levels
High cholesterol linked to being hypothyroid
So if cholesterol was high, should now be dropping
If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.
similarly poor kidney function and low GFR common when hypothyroid and should improve as your body gets settled on replacement thyroid hormones
Try to always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking
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Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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