Help Needed with Private Blood Test Results

[slblue7629]

Hello. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in November 2023 after a year of miserable health. My doctor prescribed 50 mcg levothyroxine (Accord brand) and I started to feel better. In January I had my next blood test (NHS). I had this test late in the morning, after I had eaten, and after taking my medication, so it was probably pointless. I really didn't know any better until I found this forum. Following that test, my doctor kept me on the 50mcg dose, which surprised me but there was no opportunity for discussion. So, this week I had a private blood test under correct conditions. The notes I got with the test results suggested that a 100mcg dose would be advisable and that I have Hashimoto's. Please could you give me your comments on these results?

For the record, I'm female, 66 years old, 5ft 7 inches tall and weigh 57kg. I'm still not fully well, still suffering fatigue, alarming heart palpitations, dry skin and eyes, etc.

Total thyroxine T4 93 [59 - 154]

TSH 14 [0.27 - 4.2]

Free thyroxine 14.5 [12.0 - 22.0]

Free T3 3.5 [3.1 - 6.8]

Thyroglobulin Antibody 1035 [0 - 115]

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies > 600.0 [0 - 34]

Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Take these results to GP

recommend initially only increasing by 25mcg to 75mcg daily…….

You should only increase by 25mcg at a time

Many people find any larger increase is too much to cope with in one go

Wait 6-8 weeks before retesting

You will probably need further increase

But might not need to be as high as 100mcg per day

Guidelines suggests 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight per day

That’s around 91mcg per day

Or 650mcg per week

Meanwhile request /politely insist GP test

Vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels as per NICE guidelines

or have you had these tested yet

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Plus coeliac blood test too

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

1.1 Recognition of coeliac disease

1.1.1 Offer serological testing for coeliac disease to:

people with any of the following:

persistent unexplained abdominal or gastrointestinal symptoms

faltering growth

prolonged fatigue

unexpected weight loss

severe or persistent mouth ulcers

unexplained iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency

type 1 diabetes, at diagnosis

autoimmune thyroid disease, at diagnosis

irritable bowel syndrome (in adults)

first‑degree relatives of people with coeliac disease.

[slblue7629 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for this. I'm not currently taking any supplements, so will ask for the tests as you suggest. Does the NHS routinely test for Vitamin D, folate, B12, and ferritin, or do I need to go for another private test?