advice please

[Jacksondog]

hi everyone . Here’s my story so far ..

haven’t been ‘right’ since May 2021 . First symptoms were hair loss and tiredness. I contacted the GP who did my bloods and said my thyroid was slightly low and wanted to recheck in 8 weeks

T4 = 10.4 and TSH 0-8

So they rechecked in july 22 and said again it was slightly low

T4 = 11.4 and TSH 2.71

said they wanted to have a think and decide whether to put me on thyroid medication or HRT.

rang back in a week and they said they decided that my thyroid is just low for me , and so the symptoms are menopause related.

Jump forward to jan 23 and I still struggled despite being on hrt .

blood test now is T4 12 and TSH 1.6

I have had hrt changed numerous times and nothing is working.

I still can’t help thinking that it could be my thyroid the whole time

advice greatly appreciated

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start. Fill out the free text box at the top.

Could you add the reference ranges for each test? These are the numbers in brackets after your result number. They are important as they differ in each lab.

The first TSH result you have typed 0-8 which doesnt seem to be a result.

What time of day were these blood tests? It makes a difference as TSH is lowest at 9am and varies throught the day.

Has your GP tested your thyroid antibodies? The NHS only test one type of antibody - TPO but there is also a second type - Tg (thyroglobulin) which you can test for privately.

If you are hypo then this can result in low stomach acid. Its really important to test key vitamins - ferritin, folate, B12 & D3 which can get very low if not deficient as you cannot absorb vitamins well from your food. This is a detail that many GPs are unaware of.

Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

There is also a new company offering walk in (includes free blood draw) & mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

Next step would be to get a private blood test done with the two types of antibodies & vitamins if GP won't run those tests (don't use monitor my health as they only do TPO). Do the test at 9am or earlier and fast that morning having breakfast after the test.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

[SlowDragon Administrator]

May 21

TSH 0-8

T4 10.4

july 22

TSH 2.71

T4 11.4

jan 23

TSH 1.6

T4 12

please add ranges on these results

(figures in brackets after each result)

Different labs have different ranges

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH

Absolutely essential to test thyroid antibodies and vitamin levels