I’m new to the forum and blood tests in general so hopefully I will give relevant info.
I’m 54 and have had fatigue for the past 6 months. I’ve always been fairly low energy but this is a different level. I am 10 years post menopause so it’s not that, and I’ve been on HRT a long time. My blood pressure is very low though just within normal range. I also have bad anxiety, but again, I have always been pretty anxious. I sleep 7+ hours a night but still wake up exhausted and aching.
I just had blood tests done and they are normal apart from thyroid looks close to not normal so I want to look into it further.
T4 14.8 (10.5-24.5)
TSH 3.41 (10.27 - 4.2)
Ferritin 75 (30-400) I’d been taking iron supplements for a month before test so it may have been lower previous months
B12 1006 - it’s high as I take supplement of B complex, which I didn’t realise can effect thyroid test results though I believe it usually makes T4 higher than they really are.
I take Vitamin D supplement so I’m confident that is ok. Selenium, I’ll start eating Brazil nuts as I don’t know my level for that
My question is that I don’t know what step to take next. I’m happy to take private blood tests. I also have private health insurance but don’t know if I’d get a GP referral given I’m within range. I’m not much of person to go to the doctor (haven’t been for years, almost impossible to get an appointment at my NHS surgery) but would like to take some steps to feel better.
Any advice or views, on the test results or way forward, appreciated!
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Lovicat
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TSH & FT4 is only part of the picture. Your TSH is higher in range showing it’s struggling and FT4 is lower in range.
You are right that doctors look at results & if in range don’t investigate further.
You can arrange a private blood test and it wouldn’t need a GP referral. This is often the best way to get a complete picture.
Order test kit online, sample taken at home by DIY finger prick or extra fee for venous draw. Post sample back & results available online quite quickly.
It’s recommended tests are taken at 09.00 after fasting overnight. This shows highest TSH. Cease supplements containing biotin 3 days before test. Biotin can interfere test & skew results)
A test including FT3 (the active thyroid hormone) is important. Also thyroid antibodies TPO & TG + this will show if an autoimmune issue is causing Dante to thyroid. If positive for antibodies you can argue for hormone replacement before thyroid levels become abnormal.
See this page for private testing companies, sone have discounts code available.
Medichecks thyroid advanced is good option includes function (TSH,FT4 & FT3) TPO & TG antibodies CRP (Inflammation marker) key nutrients - folate, ferritin, B12 & Vitamin D.
My TSH was not massively over range when I was diagnosed. The journey is in my profile under bio and I wrote some posts as well to serve as a case study - I tested positive for antibodies.
Come back once you have had a test. Medichecks and Blue Horizon both do very good comprehensive tests. I generally go for a Blue Horizon thyroid gold which cover various markers and essential vitamins and minerals.
If you find you are indeed on the journey you don’t have to reach the prescribed treatable thresholds for your doctor to take the initiative if your symptoms are affecting your life and overt. There is latitude in the guidelines for doctors to treat the patient rather than just the lab work. There are pinned posts on this.
I would encourage you to read lived experience- a valuable source of information - just as valuable as any scientific paper or NICE, NHS guidelines. In fact, if you can do a bit of everything you will quickly develop an understanding of the issues we face.
Good for you 🤗 I will try to keep an eye out. There are far more knowledgeable and experienced admins and forum members on here than me, so you will get loads of help. You can see what happened for me on my first few posts.
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