Are these results okay?

[Hartford-Mum]

Hi,I have been having overwhelming fatigue resulting in me needing to sleep during the day most days, which is most unlike me. I have also been having heavy periods every 3 weeks, sometimes even less, last cycle was 19 days. Terrible brain fog and inability to concentrate. GP said it could be thyroid related so I had bloods done on Monday.

Ft4 was 8.1 (normal range 7-17)

TSH 2.67 ( normal range 0.20- 4.40).

I am awaiting a telephone consultation with the GP but am worried that as the results have fallen in the 'normal' range I may be dismissed. I have read on another forum that optimal Ft4 levels are at the upper end of the range?

I would appreciate any thoughts. I haven't had Ft3 or thyroid antibody test but wondering if I should pay privately for an antibody test?

Have learned so much about thyroid in the past week and I hadn't even considered it before. I also have very dry hair.

TIA

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

You should be able to get your GP to do an antibodies test... your fT4 is low though your TSH annoyingly isn't backing this up which makes it more of a battle, are these results following our guidelines pre 9am...?

I'd push to get folate, ferritin, B12 and Vit D tested too.... if you can push for full iron panel, liver, HbA1c.... with heavy periods you are more likely to be low in iron

It's a positive sign that the GP actually thinks it's thyroid related 😉

[Hartford-Mum in reply to TiggerMe]

Thanks for your reply 👍 the bloods were done at 9.40, earliest I could get so not too late I suppose.

He did some iron tests aswell because I had initially assumed it was iron related because of heavy periods but all came back normal. I don't think all that you mentioned were done though so I will ask for those.

Thanks for taking the time to respond, it's good to have as much information as possible before I speak to gp😊

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Hartford-Mum]

How 'normal' are your iron results? Just above bottom range or actually in a good place?

They don't differentiate 🙄

Perhaps ask about a scan of your thyroid? You could enquire about fT3 results as this being the active hormone it would help show the full picture (some are utterly against fT3 as completely clueless) worth find out how knowledgeable your GP is 🤗

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hartford-Mum]

iron related because of heavy periods but all came back normal.

Please add actual results…..we regularly see people being told their iron/ferritin are normal…..when actually are deficient

How old are you? Peri menopause?

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG 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

[Hartford-Mum in reply to SlowDragon]

That's really helpful, I wasn't sure which companies offered tests so that's great. Many thanks for your detailed response, very much appreciated 👍