interpret results please anyone ….?

[Frillsandpink]

Hi everyone

Please can anyone give me any advice on my latest blood results.

I currently take 50mg levothyroxine prescribed by gp. Never seen an endocrinologist.

TSH

1.81 mu/L

(normal range 0.27 - 4.2 mU/L)

Thyroxine FT4

12.8 pmol/L

(normal range 12 - 22 pmol/L)

Triodothyronine T3

3.2 pmol/L

(normal range 3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L)

I have symptoms of extreme tiredness, difficulty losing weight and untreatable depression/anxiety despite bring on antidepressants.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks all

[Buddy195 Administrator]

You are 100% in need of a thyroid medication increase Frillsandpink; I’m not surprised you are experiencing adverse symptoms with those results.

Do contact your GP and push for an increase to 75mcg in the first instance (but likely you will need more), asking for a retest 6- 8 weeks after increasing your dose.

Please remember that although the results are JUST within range this is NOT the same as OPTIMAL.

For me, high anxiety was the worst symptom of being under medicated. This massively improved on an optimal dose of thyroid medication.

It is also important to have thyroid antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12). If your GP is unable to complete these, you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[Frillsandpink in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you so much. My gp has increased my levo to 75mg.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Frillsandpink]

Great news! You will need to retest after 6 weeks. Remember to share results in a new post; I’m suspecting you might need a further increase after 6 weeks for more optimal results.

[Frillsandpink in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you, i will do xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Was test 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)

You are in dire need of 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine to 75mcg

Take these results to GP and get immediate increase

Bloods will need retesting in a further 8 weeks

Likely to need further increase in coming months

How long have you been on just 50mcg

50mcg is only the standard STARTER dose

You also need vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 testing

Likely low

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested at diagnosis or since

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

When adequately treated Ft4 (levothyroxine) will typically be at least 70% through range

Currently your Ft4 is only 8% through range

[Frillsandpink in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you all for your responses. My gp has agreed to increase my levo to 75mg xx

[Sparklingsunshine]

How long have you been on 50mcg, because as our lovely admins have pointed out you are more than ready for your next Levo increase.

[Frillsandpink in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

thank you, my gp has agreed to increase my levo to 75mg. I am very grateful to

You all

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Frillsandpink]

That's great news, hopefully you'll continue to improve. Onwards and upwards 😆

[Frillsandpink]

thank you everyone for your responses. I will contact gp and ask for an increase