Repeated blood tests ordered by my GP trying to compare private ones I had a month ago with different ranges,I had both done at 9am and only glass of water can someone help please?
12th February 2024 repeat GP tests January 2024 Medichecks private test
B12 344 range (187-883.00ng/L B12 active 60. 37.5- 150 pmol/L
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement
A week later add a separate vitamin B Complex
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
Are you on thyroid hormone replacement? If so, you need an increase in dose. There is a slight difference, but neither of them are 'normal'. What he means is, they're in the normal range. But still too high. Should be around 1.
*GP said these are normal* *Medichecks red flagged Thyroid*
My cholesterol was high said I need to go on statins.
No, you don't need to go on statins. Hypos shouldn't go on statins because the side-effects are worse for hypos. And women shouldn't take them, anyway. They lower your sex hormones.
What you need is your FT3 tested - didn't you have that done with your Medichecks test? I bet it's too low. High cholesterol is a hypo symptom, not a disease that needs drugs.
Here are the he last three tests over the past year with Medichecks different range for B12 and folate.I was also told by them that my red cells appear enlarged.My mother had under active thyroid.
The ranges are regulated by the machine that the lab uses for the assay. If they change machines, the range changes too. But, if you work out the percentages through the range of your results, you'll probably find they're more or less the same.
I have never been treated for a thyroid issue and because of this I was wondering if this could have a detrimental effect on my health.Also can you have large blood cells if you have an under active thyroid please.?
Your TSH has been increasing over the years which suggests that your thyroid is under attack or could just be failing... if you look at your Medichecks results you will likely see that you have had your antibodies tested..
These are my results as I have Ord's (no goitre) whereas my Sister and Brother aren't showing any antibodies yet both have failing thyroids
Was your Mothers referred to as Hashimoto's?
If you know it's autoimmune then often changing your diet can help, gluten or dairy free, the hormone replacement you receive is the same
I really am so confused my GP says in normal range but you lovely people say it’s not.
GPs don't understand ranges, and they don't know that 'in-range' is not the same as 'euthyroid' or 'optimal'.
Yes, it's in what is laughingly called the 'normal range', you don't have to spend seven+ years in med school to see that. But it's where within the range that the result falls that counts. A TSH of over 3 is technically hypo. But, because the range goes up to 4+ doctors think 3+ has to be 'normal'. It isn't. A truly euthyroid TSH would be around 1.
To better understand ranges - and maybe share with your doctor - have a look at this article:
The normal range: it is not normal and it is not a range
I suspect your vit D is still too low...needs to be at least 100nmol/L but ideally closer to 150 for hypos.
Supplement with vit D + vitK3....the K3 helps ensure the calcium in the system goes to the hard tissues ( bones and teeth) rather than to soft tissues causing blood vessel calcification.
Thank you for your help and advice I’m not on any medication for Thyroid or B12 could this be why I ache all over especially bones and joint pain.?My vitamin D is 75.
Diagnostic test( ie before medication) TSH should be close to 2.....even 1.
At 4.76 you are hypothyroid with very low thyroid hormone levels as is evidenced by the labs below
Both Frees should be approaching 75% through their respective ranges.....not 16.0% and 21.6%!!
VitD, vit B12, folate and ferritin ....greygoose has explained this. These nutrients need to be optimal to support thyroid function. You need to raise your levels with good supplements
Medichecks results Feb 2024....copied from SlowDragon's post above
TSH 4.76 range 0.27-4.2
Free T4 (fT4) 13.6 pmol/L (12 - 22) 16.0%
Free T3 (fT3) 3.9 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 21.6%
We always advice that antibodies TG and TPO are tested at least once to check for thyroid autoimmune disease/ Hashimoto's
Your GP needs to prescribe Levothyroxine...starting dose 50mcg, test again after 6/8 weeks on a steady dose.
Repeat test and increase by 25mcg until symptoms resolve.
See a GP again explain why you think you are hypothyroid ( using info provided in this post) and including your list of symptoms ... see checklist in the above link.
Make a note of all you wish to say/ ask it acts an an aide memoir
You may need to be politely insistent!
With correct medication you should feel much better.
Thank you so much I always remember my mom saying she felt like a hypochondriac before she was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism that’s exactly how I feel now hopefully with your knowledge and help I can get help.Our GP’s in the Uk don’t seem to know much about B12 and Thyroid they go by the numbers and not the symptoms I’ve heard this so much on these forums.
Yes doctors have turned into little more than call centre staff, reading stuff off computer screens all day. Blood tests are all these days, symptoms have very much taken a back seat.
Hi I went to see my GP and showed her the print outs from what you said.Also included the thyroid TSH,T3 results from Medichecks showing a rise in my TSH.No matter what I said she said we have to go by NHS guidelines and my recent blood test shows TSH 3.3 and normal .I tried nicely to explain what you had said about large blood cells and high cholesterol could possibly due to thyroid issues.She said well you need to go back to Medichecks and get them to treat you.I can’t do that I’ve only got a pension so fed up x
Her response that you need to go back to Medichecks for treatment smacks of sarcasm
Can you see another GP?
In your shoes I would be making a complaint to the Practice Manager at the surgery....put it in writing!
You feel unwell, you did not get a fair hearing, the GP's response was insensitive and unhelpful and left you feeling depressed.....er, NO, don't mention depressed, they'll just give you antidepressants!!!
You feel, in addition to the lab results, that your lived experience/symptoms makes you a reliable witness to the condition which is making you unwell
You provided evidence that you are hypothyroid/ undermedicated
You wish an appointment with another GP who is knowledgeable about thyroid disease.
They forget ( or don't know) that symptoms are a recognised part of diagnosis .
she said we have to go by NHS guidelines
Perhaps this GP needs to read and understand the following NHS guidelines, and learn to use informed professional judgement rather than relying on a list of numbers!
Guidelines inform clinical practice but don’t dictate it. They do not replace clinicians’ knowledge and skills. Doctors are expected to be familiar with nationally recognised guidelines that are relevant to their specialty, as well as local guidelines. This does not mean they cannot depart from guidance when they consider it to be in the patient’s interests to do so.
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