My mum has been feeling all the underactive thyroid symptoms in the extreme for a long while now, with little gp support, she’s been told to drop her Levo dose to 75mg but wants to be sure this is the right advice, TPO antibodies just tested for the first time.
Would be grateful for any advice/interpretation as she’s losing the will!
Many thanks,
Se thyroid peroxidase Ab conc
Result
14.0 iu/mL
Normal range
0.0 - 5.5
Serum TSH level
Result
0.14 mu/L
Normal range
0.27 - 4.20
T4 last tested February 23
14 Feb 2023
Serum free T4 level
16.3 pmol/L
Range: 12.0 - 22.0
Free T3 last tested Feb 23
14 Feb 2023
Serum free T3 level
4.0 pmol/L
Range: 3.1 - 6.8
Serum vitamin B12
Result
281 pmol/L
Normal range
145 - 569
Serum folate
9.7 nmol/L
Range 8.8 - 60.8
Written by
Kate261
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Kate am I correct in thinking that the latest results are only the antibodies and tsh. And that the ft4 and ft3 were done earlier in the year on a different blood draw?
If yes then she really needs to have tsh, ft4 and ft3 done on the same blood draw.
I suspect the GP is lowering her dose based on the low TSH and not on the actual thyroid hormone results ie ft4 and ft3.
Thank you, she had no idea she had Hashimotos as antibodies never been tasted in 50 years of thyroid issues. She is already gluten free. If the gp refuses new tests, (it’s likely) then should she get a private one?
Yes many thousands of U.K. thyroid patients are forced to test privately
NHS rarely tests more than TSH
But can always ask…..
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
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and a week later add a separate vitamin B Complex
Then once her serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), she may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
Igennus B complex popular option too. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 until over 500
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
She has added b12 recently as I suggested it might help. She takes the better you vit d spray you have mentioned. the GP has said everything is normal bar the Tsh (the feb results are just the t4 and t3) sorry that’s my fault it’s not clear!
When my mother was in her late 70s her doctor told her she had to reduce her thyroxine because her TSH was too high. Mum followed the doctor’s orders and for the rest of her life was miserable. The same thing happened to me when I was 73. Like your mum, my TSH was too high. After fighting with my doctor I was able to talk to an endocrinologist who proposed that I add T3 and reduce my T4. The balance worked. I feel slightly hypothyroid but can manage. My mum had no functioning thyroid at the age of 6 and I had a radioactive thyroid procedure after Graves’ disease at 50. As so many others have found, for many of us the TSH does not reflect our thyroid health.
Oh I empathise greatly. She’s seen an endriconologist who was great but the follow up appt was someone who had no interest. It’s a constant battle. I’m so sorry you’ve had the same problem. I don’t know how you find someone to listen, they just keep saying ‘you’ll have heart problems’ which I understand but day to day she’s coming to a standstill. It all feels impossible.
When the subject of my TSH test came up again a new endocrinologist told me I could have heart problems or a stroke. That’s when I told her the test results of my heart were good. I think it was when I also told her that at 78 I wanted quality of life, not quantity. My mother died at 86 but her last few years were miserable. I’d rather be active and feel good than live like she was forced to by her doctors. I will be 80 in January and am looking forward to enjoying whatever days I have left!
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