Hi All,I had a blood test in early 2023 and it suggested I was borderline low thyroid. The reading was as follows TSH 4.21 and T4 17.4.
A previous 2018 blood test was TSH 19.2 ans T4 3.5. I'm awaiting a recent blood test result, if the results are similar should I be taking meds?
Any advice please.
With a TSH of over 19, you most certainly should. But I suppose they wanted a second test to confirm it?
Wish a TSH over 4, you are hypo, but the NHS doesn't like diagnosing and treating until the TSH goes over 10.
Were both tests done at the same time of day? If not, you can't really compare them. If so, then you need your antibodies tested because you could have autoimmune thyroiditis with variations like that.
The tests were done in the morning as fasting tests both times .It was recommended that I was tested again after 6 months and annually there after, but I didn't read the notes and only realised this recently.
OK, so you really really need TPO and Tg antibodies tested, now.
I'm now also borderline Diabetic and cholesterol, is there any relationship between these conditions and low thyroid?
Yes both are linked and will improve/resolve once on correct dose levothyroxine
High cholesterol and being hypothyroid
nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...
If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.
High HBA1c
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....
Baseline HbA1c levels were found to be significantly higher in hypothyroid patients, which reduced significantly after achievement of euthyroidism without any change in glucose levels.
A previous 2018 blood test was TSH 19.2 and T4 3.5.
You should have immediately been started on levothyroxine after this test result
Or at very least retested 6 weeks later
Starting levothyroxine - flow chart
gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG 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.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
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)
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
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
Thanks
A previous 2018 blood test was TSH 19.2 ans T4 3.5
Are you sure you haven’t mixed these numbers up? TSH 3.5 and T4 19.2?
Do I need to have my Levothroxine adjusted?
Do I need to adjust my meds?
Do I need further testing?
Do I need to change my dose of T4?
Do I need an increase? TSH 3.15
