I have had 2 sets of bloods taken due to my symptoms and TSH was 5.9 and 5 . G.P wants me to have another in 3 months so not medicating me at all. My prolactin result was fine. Has anyone been medicated for this level please.
Worst symptoms are fatigue , freezing cold, weight gain and hair loss.
Thankyou
Yes. In some countries a tsh of 3 is considered to be high enough to merit treatment.
This seems commonplace in the UK, some patients dont get treatment until their TSH was 10!, the NHS seems very reluctant to get on and treat people. That said was your TSH the only thyroid test they did?
Did they test FT4 and/ or FT3 levels, these are your actual thyroid hormone levels, TSH is just a messenger from your pituitary gland to your thyroid asking for more thyroid output please. Unfortunately the NHS very often only tests TSH levels.
The reason I ask is if either of your FT's or frees are low then that can be an extra incentive for your GP to start you on treatment. If neither were tested by the NHS it might be worth getting a private fingerprick blood test done at home to see how your thyroid levels are doing.
When I was diagnosed 3.5 years ago my TSH was around the same as yours in the February, but I did have below range FT4, when it was retested in the May my TSH had increased to over 7 and my FT4 had dropped still further, so I started on Levothyroxine.
The normal protocol when investigating what doctors called sub clinical hypothyroid is a repeat blood test 3 months later. This, while frustrating, ensures your first test wasn't a fluke or an anomaly.
Thankyou ! Both times it was just TSH that was tested. I'll be asking for the others then next month.
Just be warned that often even if your GP agrees (and its a big if) and requests FT4 and FT3 to be tested, the lab can refuse if your TSH is in range.
Its the reason so many forum members end up testing privately. Doctors diagnose and dose medication via TSH, erroneously.
When first diagnosed I was told I had no problems! Unfortunately GP didn't seem to be aware of what a TSH of 100 indicated!
Welcome to the group.
How far apart were these blood tests?
What is the reference range for the test (numbers in brackets after your result number)? This is important as ranges vary from lab to lab.
NICE guidelines state that you can be diagnosed and begin treatment with 2 TSH results above range 3 months apart. Some doctors think your TSH has to be above 10 which is another way of getting a diagnosis.
When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. 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/testing/priva...
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.
Do you know if you had positive thyroid antibodies? Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test.
Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)?
Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day.
Thank you so much for this. TSH is 5.19 ( 0.27-4.2) T4 is 13.9(11-22)
Tests were 3 weeks apart so now waiting for the 3 month gap to repeat.
I have had this before and TSH went back down to acceptable. This was 2 years ago. Is it normal to fluctuate.
G.P has coded me as subclinical hypothyroid
She wasn't really interested in doing Ferritin, folate or B12 as all were good in January. Vitamin D is not tested in Bedfordshire unfortunately unless a consultant requests it.
Varying TSH is normal when not diagnosed. We recommend booking blood tests for as close to 9am as possible as this is when TSH is highest. On the morning of the test just drink water before the test and have breakfast after it.
Can you post your January results for vitamins along with reference ranges for each test?
NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £31 via
B12 529 ( 191-663)
folate 8.0 ( 4.5-37.3)
Ferritin 40.5 (13-150)
T4 14.2 ( 11-22)
TSH 3.05 (0.27-4.2)
These were my results February 2023
When you rebook your next blood test make it for 9am or earlier which is when TSH is highest. That day just drink water before the test, no caffeine drinks etc and have breakfast after the test. This gives consistency in results.
Ferritin should be around 90 - 100 for best use of thyroid hormone. Suggest increasing iron rich foods in diet and eating them often. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc
Folate - aim for a level of 20. Recommend taking an active/methyl (should say on label) B complex which contains 400mcgs folate (also B12). Slightly cheaper options with inactive B6:
amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...
Contains B6 as P5P an active form:
bigvits.co.uk/thorne-resear...
healf.com/products/basic-b-...
Explanation about the different forms of B6:
helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...
B complex comparison spreadsheet:
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
If you could ask GP to test vitamin D. Most of us are deficient! Alternatively: NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £31 via
HIPOTHYROIDISM SYMPTOMS PLEASE HELP!
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Please help!
Please, help.
