THS level

[Faith442024]

Hi guys

I've been on 100mg of levothyroxine for 2 years but my recent blood test shows my TSH is 12 mIU/L.

GP wants to wait 6 weeks and re-check my blood as she's saying that my recent check infection could cause these abnormal readings.

Could you please tell me is 12 mlU/L bad?

Thank you

Kind regards

Rose

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

I would say that a TSH of 12 on treatment is terrible.

Are you taking your Levo regularly, on its own, on an empty stomach, 1 hour before food or caffeine containing drinks?

Approximately how much do you weigh? There's a calculation that gives a very approximate final dose (this is not exact science but can be used as a guide).

weight in kilos x 1.6 = dose.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

A TSH of 12 is extremely high (this should always be under 2)

What was your previous TSH blood test (prior to 12)?

Do you have results for FT4 and FT3?

Have you ever had antibodies checked to see if your thyroid condition is auto immune (aka Hashimotos)?

Have you checked key thyroid vitamin levels (ferritin, folate, B12 and vit D)?

[crimple]

Victim36 what brand of Levothyroxine are you taking, do you always have the same brand?

[McPammy]

Your TSH of 12 is far too high, it should be around 1.00 when dosed correctly. I’d go back to your GP or practise manager and explain that a TSH that high cannot wait 6 weeks to retest. What are your T4 and T3 levels. If you haven’t got them request them. You need both levels to determine which one or both is inadequate. You could always do it privately through monitor my health on line without having to wait 6 weeks. You definitely need an increase in medication/s. How are you feeling? Any symptoms? You will have symptoms if your TSH is above 2.5 my private only endocrinologist explained to me.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Insist in new test NOW (not in 6 weeks ) including Ft4 and Ft3, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Vitamin levels likely low when on too low a dose levothyroxine

Are you in U.K.?

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests 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)

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

on Levo TSH should always be below 2

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You need TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested together now

And folate

[Faith442024 in reply to SlowDragon]

Privately yes?

[Faith442024 in reply to SlowDragon]

My last Folate was done in October 2023 and it was 20.0ug/LIs that bad or good??

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Faith442024]

What’s the range 8-60 or 3-20 or something else

[Faith442024]

I take levo on an empty stomuch every single morning and norlmaly wait an hour till l eat or drink cafinated drinks.

I don't always have the same brand of levothyroxine which l asked for but sometimes they're out of stock so they give me whatever the pharmacy has.

I think my elastase levels are still low coz lm feeling funny after food and without digestive enzimes 😕

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So next step is to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3

Always 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)

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Just TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 test - £32

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

10% off code here

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

[Faith442024 in reply to SlowDragon]

Dear SlowDragon

I've ordered THS, T4 & T3 test like you suggested, thank you.

I will be in touch when my results are back.

May God bless you for what you do 🙌