Symptoms of thyroid issues but tests normal

[Fizzwhizz]

Hi, can anyone help me understand please? My thyroid tests keep coming back as normal but I have symptoms which I’m trying to unpick from menopause symptoms. I’m on HRT but still feel cold, get crashing fatigue, have missing outer third of eyebrows, brain fog, low mood etc. My folate came back as low with enlarged blood cells (100 MCV). I had a Medichecks test recently at 10am and these are the results. Family history of thyroid issues on both sides.

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Did you test thyroid antibodies and vitamin D, B12 and ferritin too

test early morning, ideally before 9am and only drink water between waking and test

Ft4 and Ft3 both very low

Work on improving low folate and retest after 6 weeks

[Fizzwhizz in reply to SlowDragon]

136

g/L

HAEMATOCRIT

0.35 - 0.47 R

0.442

L/L

RED CELL COUNT

3.8 - 5.8 R

4.42

x10^12/L

MCV

81 - 98 R

100

fL

MCH

27 - 33 R

30.8

pg

MCHC

300 - 350 R

308

g/L

RDW

11.5 - 14.4 R

13.7

And this

IRON

5.8 - 34.5 R

15.6

umol/L

TIBC

45 - 81 R

51.6

umol/L

UIBC

24.2 - 70.1 R

36

umol/L

TRANSFERRIN SATURATION

20 - 50 R

30.2

%

FERRITIN

13 - 150 R

145

ug/L

I didn’t think to copy and paste.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

what was folate result

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

[Fizzwhizz in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, it was this and this with a note saying folate was low and to work on that via increasing leafy greens consumption. Maybe I didn’t order the best test. I will look at the links you’ve suggested.

Colour photo

[greygoose]

So, what time was the blood draw? Because that TSH is very low compared to the low Frees.

[Fizzwhizz in reply to greygoose]

It was 10am but not fasting as I’d had a coffee.

[greygoose in reply to Fizzwhizz]

OK, so before 9 am, and without coffee, it could have been higher - but not by much, I think. So, there's a problem with your TSH - and probably pituitary - there.

But, it's not the TSH causing symptoms, it's the low FT3, which is definitely low enough to cause symptoms, and is not 'normal'. A 'normal' (euthyroid) FT3 would be around 50% through the range.

[Fizzwhizz in reply to greygoose]

Thanks. I just feel tired and a bit low in energy/mood a lot. I’m going to attempt to improve my folate levels and then test again making sure it’s a fasting test before 9am. It’s so easy to blame symptoms on menopause/age but the crashing fatigue I get is literally draining.

[greygoose in reply to Fizzwhizz]

Yes, I know what you mean.

[beh1]

I had these symptoms for a couple of years and ‘normal’ results, ie tsh not high enough to treat, t4 low in range. Looking back, it was very frustrating not being able to access meds. Eventually my tsh crept up to about 5 and t4 dipped below range (obviously nhs did not test t3), and I was prescribed levothyroxine. I think your thyroid is probably failing, so keep testing and eventually you’ll get to a level where the doc will help you. I do sympathise.

[Fizzwhizz in reply to beh1]

Thanks. This is it exactly. I feel better on HRT but am still very up and down in mood and energy levels. I had the Medichecks test to try find an answer but according to them too my thyroid is ‘normal’. I find all the terminology confusing too as to which is t4 and t3 and etc. I need to read up.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Fizzwhizz]

So start a daily vitamin B complex

Remember to stop B complex 5-7 days before next test

In 6-8 weeks retest thyroid using the Medichecks test that includes Thyroid antibodies, vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

[Fizzwhizz in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, I’ve been doing a bit of reading and trying to get my fatigued brain around things. Ideally I think my levels should be in the top third and the TSH close to 1 as I’m unmedicated. I’ll try B vits complex and look at testing again. I’m half thinking of a private consultation but I don’t know if that will help.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Fizzwhizz]

Wait to get next blood test before considering next steps

[Fizzwhizz in reply to SlowDragon]

Just bought innigus super B complex with folate. Was reading your helpful reply to another post with Subclinical Hypo but unfortunately have lost the thread now. I couldn’t digest all the info in one go and was hoping to return to it. Hope I’ve bought the right supplement as I don’t want to deplete my folate any further. It seems so complicated to understand and at a point when not feeling with it and am slow to take info in. Currently I feel like I could sleep for a week. Thanks for all your help.

[Fizzwhizz]

Thanks, I will. Hopefully the B vits will help alleviate some of the tiredness and I’ll be able to think about it more clearly.