Blood test result

[Elston]

Hi can any one tell me if 2.4 tsh blood test is ok? My doctor says it is..I take thyroxine replacement of 75mcg.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Almost certainly not

Most people on levothyroxine will need TSH around 1 or lower

Most important result is always Ft3, followed by Ft4

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

HRT frequently results in needing increase in levothyroxine too

As you have adrenal insufficiency you should be managed by thyroid specialist endocrinologist

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

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)

Is this how you did your test

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...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[SlowDragon Administrator]

previous post 3 years ago

Also only on 75mcg back then

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Which brand of levothyroxine are you now taking

Approximately how much do you weigh in kilograms

Guidelines suggest at least 1.6mcg Levo per kilo of your weight per day

Adrenal insufficiency can be as a result of being left on inadequate dose levothyroxine

[Elston in reply to SlowDragon]

50mcg accord and 25mcg mercurypharma ..Wow I only know in stone and im 10 stone in weight..

I also take 17mg hydrocortisone steroids

[Elston in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi slow dragon i havnt got a thyroid anymore ...not sure if you know this...Also my doctor today said that my t3 was fine so my t4 will be? But not sure about a reading? ..if my tsh was too high what would my symptoms be?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Elston]

Well you don’t have either Ft3 or Ft4 results?

Who initially prescribed you steroids? Endocrinologist?

10 stone = 63.5kg

So this suggests you MIGHT need higher dose levothyroxine……around 100mcg per day

TSH is unreliable on replacement thyroid hormones, but especially on any steroids too

Hydrocortisone will tend to lower TSH

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

ESSENTIAL to test Ft4, Ft3 and all four vitamins

Get full thyroid and vitamin testing

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Elston]

if my tsh was too high what would my symptoms be?

Likely to have variety of Symptoms of hypothyroidism

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

[Elston in reply to SlowDragon]

Omg iv just looked at the symptoms and i think you are right ..my vitamin d level was ok the doctor said but I will certainly go back and request the other tests thank you ..

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Elston]

What is your actual vitamin D result ?

What vitamin supplements do you take

[Elston in reply to SlowDragon]

I dont take any supplements..I eat every 2hrs and I eat very well so I feel I am taking enough vitamins and minerals in?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Elston]

When hypothyroid we develop LOW stomach acid….this leads to poor nutrient absorption and low vitamin levels as direct result…..regardless of how good or bad your diet might be

Thousands of posts on here showing terrible vitamin levels as direct result of being hypothyroid

examples of Medichecks results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Blue horizon results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Monitor My Health results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Elston]

Also my doctor today said that my t3 was fine so my t4 will be?

So what was your Ft3 result (and ranges)

[Elston in reply to SlowDragon]

I dont know but I will get a print out tomorrow and message you with them ..thank you for your help and advice so far..

[Elston in reply to Elston]

The doctor never told me the result of vit d but she did advise me to take a multivitamin .

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Elston]

Multivitamins never recommended on here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

Then supplement good quality separate supplements as required

Usually vitamin D, magnesium and vitamin B complex required continuously. Often separate B12 FIRST before starting vitamin B complex

If ferritin is low ….full iron panel test for anaemia

On levothyroxine we always need GOOD vitamin levels

Test folate, ferritin and B12 annually

Test vitamin D twice year when supplementing

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Thousands of posts on here about low stomach acid

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Web links re low stomach acid and reflux and hypothyroidism

nutritionjersey.com/high-or...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

How to test your stomach acid levels

healthygut.com/articles/3-t...

meraki-nutrition.co.uk/indi...

huffingtonpost.co.uk/laura-...

lispine.com/blog/10-telling...

Useful post and recipe book

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

But also ….never assume you have low stomach acid

healthygut.com/4-common-bet...

[Elston in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou looks like iv lots to learn and questions to ask..

[waveylines in reply to Elston]

Generally doctors know very little about hypothyroidism. They receive no training on vitamins and minerals in med school. So it's a good idea to read up on Hypothyroidism. A good book is called Living with your Thyroid by Barry Durrant Peatfield.On here you will get great advice too.

Always get a copy of your blood test results. Sometimes you can see them on the NHS app too.

[Home8808_]

Hi Elston, from my own personal experience, I like to go by “body temperature.” I make sure I get a really good thermometer, and I make sure my body temperature is at least 97.8 or above.