I would like views on the followin results.
2023
TSH 1.369 (range 0.570 - 3.600)
T4 7.00 (range 7.9-14)
cholestrol 10.5
2022
TSH 0.94 (range 0.57 - 3.60)
T4 10.8 (7.9 -14)
cholestrol 5.4
no T3 test has been done. Particularly concerned if high cholestrol level for 2023 could be related to low T4
Yes, very definitely! Are you still taking Metformin and Omeprazole as they lower TSH and uptake? What dose of levo are you currently taking?
What have they said about your below range fT4?
I would try and get them to do a full thyroid panel and request a referral to Endo low fT4 will mean really low fT3
I'd get a finger prick test from Monitor My Health (THYROIDUK10 discount code) to see what is going on if they are dragging their heels 🤗
This enquiry is on behalf of my daughter who is not taking levothyroxine. She will only request what can be done on the NHS.She is going to ask for a T3 test.
I did wonder... she isn't on any treatment for her thyroid is she? She really isn't thinking straight due to being so Hypo 😕
Could you not give her a blood test kit... for your own peace of mind?
so difficult getting a gp appointment. next one is in February!!
With a below range fT4 they ought to be contacting her! Are they not pushing to get her on statins?
She has Central Hypo as her TSH and fT4 don't correlate
Would you be in a position to get her a private test yourself? I know how difficult it is to get a GP to request FT3 test; my surgery won't do it at all.
My FT3 levels have only ever been checked by my endo surgeon post thyroidectomy and only as I pushed for it.
So I've now made my health a priority. I don't really like getting private tests done as really we should be able to get a full thyroid panel on the NHS. Even though I'm on a low income and now pay for tests, I feel empowered and more in control of my thyroid health.
She doesn't necessarily need an appointment, you can request an NHS Endo referral generally on the surgery website
really. will have to check.
'you can request an NHS Endo referral generally on the surgery website'
What you can do on your surgery website is, as I understand it, totally dependent on:
a) which nation of the UK you live in (i.e. England, Scotland, N Ireland or Wales) and b) what your individual surgery has decided they will allow you to do. Unlike treatment for hypothyroidism, it is not a 'one size fits all' situation.
This is true Red but often people don't think to look at the Surgeries Website and all the potential it might offer... always worth a look 🙃
Agreed.
Not particularly easy to find but current options are... need to know who you would like to be referred to so having researched your desired Endo is necessary... not accessible via Systmonline or NHS App
Wow! Your surgery is absolutely in the top league with all that available!
Many surgeries only allow GP appointments (may be limited to just one or two specific GPs) and repeat prescription requests.
These have been available for at least 6 years, not sure many people make use of it as it isn't made obvious... possibly not even the new team that took over earlier this year 🙃... they might have the tech but they aren't great
Sadly no, I can't book appointments but can request them this way which saves hanging on the phone or the public shaming at reception 😬
I much prefer to write down what I need from them
That is amazing Eeyore!
My surgery uses PATCHES (was e-consult) or Patient Access.
There's no email facility and you can't book appointments online. But you can request they contact you or you can ring reception.
I wish there was some consistency but it seems GP surgeries do vary in what online services they offer their patients.
Yes, absolutely. Low t3 leads to high cholesterol. Most GPs don't have a clue. You need an increase in your levo (assume you're on it?). Suggest you get you thyroids tested privately if GP can't get your ft3 done. You need to be monitoring ft3 and ft4.
will only request what can be done by NHS. So far, no T3 test been done but going to ask that this be done. This enquiry is on behalf of my daughter.
Good morning fiftyone , Just thought I'd point you in the direction of what SlowDragon said about the link to high cholesterol to low T3 - not T4 - which was:
"...with low Ft3 also likely to result in high cholesterol
nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...
If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid."
Link to the full post is here: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Also, I think it's pretty safe to say, that monitoring thyroid function on TSH & T4 is pretty useless - you really need to know what your FreeT3 (FT3) is, too - and you will quite likely be pointed towards having more blood tests by more experienced members and admin when they come along. In the meantime, I hope I've helped put your mind at rest (even a little) or stopped you going down rabbit holes for answers?!
Just as an end note: it would be really helpful if you could fill your Bio in, at least with all the results you can. ☺️
I’m not an expert at all and at risk of being controversial over the need to test FT3 at this point I would say that with FT4 being below range the daughter is in urgent need of Levo to raise FT4 which will also raise FT3 .
With a below range FT4 we can guess that FT3 May also be low, and if not low yet it will be if no treatment is given. FT3 can be tested privately later on if GP won’t do it.
The reason not to do it privately at this point is just to save money and the faff of doing it.
As she may have Central hypothyroidism an endo is needed to diagnose this and this should be done before starting Levo - not sure if they can diagnose otherwise?
While a proper diagnosis is preferred it’s not essential as the treatment is still Levo. Other testing could be done later?
There is a flow chart which includes starting levo if FT4 is under range - but it’s for a specific area not uk wide. Maybe someone could post the link?
Can you see a different GP?
Why thyroid range keep changing?
Help with recent test results
