thyroid test results

[thainy]

Collapsed at keep fit session, casualty doctor carried out blood tests and results indicated abnormal thyroid readings. Local health centre doctor took further bloods and said the results were normal with a reading of 13 on a scale of between 8 - 18? We cannot find a test using this scale? Is this correct?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

Get printed copies of actual test results

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

patients-association.org.uk...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality some GP surgeries still do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

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

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...

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

[thainy in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for the help.

[greygoose]

said the results were normal with a reading of 13 on a scale of between 8 - 18

That looks like the Free T4 test - also called Free Thyroxine or FT4. If that is the 'range' (reference interval) then your reading is exactly mid-range which is perfectly 'normal' (euthyroid).

BUT, you cannot just take one blood test result and build a diagnosis on it - well, doctors do do that, but they shouldn't! There are three tests for thyroid problems: TSH, FT4, FT3. And they should be interpreted in conjunction with each other (sounds complicated, I know, but it isn't really). And, also, antibodies should be tested - TPO antibodies and Tg antibodies - and they should be taken into consideration, too.

So, I can't imagine why the casualty doctor thought you had a thyroid problem, but I don't know all the circumstances - either of his thyroid knowledge or your situation at that time. As SlowDragon says, you need to see the results of all the tests that were done that time, and then get full thyroid testing.