help with blood results please

[TheresaGreen1967]

can someone tell me if this is ok? My daughter is 33 taking no meds but feels awful. Cold tired dry skin low libido. Thank you

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

On the low side, did she also test for iron, folate, Vit D and B12 as these can all make you feel awful when low and are all needed for good thyroid function

[FallingInReverse]

Hi, here’s a helpful chart of TSH levels in people without thyroid issues.

You will see that your daughter’s TSH would be seen as just slightly above the mean, but still absolutely in the normal distribution.

For comparison, you might start to be more concerned if it gets higher, as you can see that it’s a steep curve that flattens around 3.5 where it is unlikely a person with a 3 or 4 is euthyroid.

For now, she should get the four vitamins and minerals that TiggerMe suggests- as these four are required for thyroid to do a good job.

Further, her Free T4 is only about 25% through range, and her FT3 is only about 40% through range. In euthyroid people these should be closer to at least 50%. Importantly, optimal thyroid hormones are needed to absorb those 4 vits/minerals.

So it’s a bit of a downward spiral.Low vitamins create an environment where the thyroid will struggle, and a struggling thyroid will hinder vitamin absorption.

When she gets those results, come back here with the results and the forum will be able to advise which are contributing to her symptoms.

TSH

[DippyDame]

Your daughter is hypothyroid which I think you already suspect

FT3 is 45.95% through the reference range

FT4 is 27% ditto

Useful calculator...

thyroid.dopiaza.org/?utm_so...

We aim to have both Frees roughly approaching 75% through their respective ranges....her labs are too low

Little wonder she feels under par.

The following list gives hypothyroid symptoms...all, or any part, of the body may be affected

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

Her thyroid is struggling to produce adequate T4

Sometimes the diseased thyroid gland will start producing (very) high levels of T3 while, by comparison, producing normal/low levels of T4. This is to enable the body to keep functioning until replacement hormone is introduced....or the thyroid eventually fails.

This extra T3 however, doesn't appear to resolve symptoms

As FT4 falls it begins to push up TSH

When unmedicated TSH should be 2 or under but her TSH is now creeping above this level.

So....it is important that both Free hormones are also measured to help provide a more accurate evaluation of thyroid function.

Unfortunately GPs tend to rely on TSH,which science proves is not a reliable marker....and maybe FT4.

It is also important to optimise vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin to support thyroid function.

A starter dose of 50mcg levothyroxine would be advisible, followed by another test 6 weeks later which will likely show the need for a further increase to 75mcg....repeat testing after 6 weeks and depending on labs and any remaining symptoms, a further increase may, or may not be required

Suggest she speaks to her GP, points out her low Frees and asks to be treated with thyroid replacement hormone/Levothyroxine.

Good luck with that!

Sadly levo is not a quick fix...but for most it is a fix!

Wishing her well.

[TheresaGreen1967 in reply to DippyDame]

Her GP says she is ok and within range. Would NDT be beneficial to her?

[DippyDame in reply to TheresaGreen1967]

Well, I'm afraid her GP is wrong, and will probably leave her to suffer while her thyroid continues to fail further and her TSH rises. Many of them don't treat until TSH reaches closer to, or above 10

As hormone levels fall TSH usually rises

Medics are fixated on numbers and often overlook symptoms which are so important and were used for diagnosis until testing was developed

Request a test for thyroid antibodies Tg and TPO indicating thyroid autoimmune disease/ Hashimotos. If the antibodies are high so giving a positive result, then, in conjunction with her symptoms, the GP should initiate thyroid hormone replacement

An autoimmune disorder is an illness caused by the immune system attacking healthy tissues. In Hashimoto's disease, immune-system cells lead to the death of the thyroid's hormone-producing cells. The disease usually results in a decline in hormone production (hypothyroidism

Private testing may be quicker than trying to persuade this GP whose knowledge is sadly lacking...not unusual re thyroid disease!

You would then have proof of Hashi's

One example...

medichecks.com/products/thy...

i would be inclined to use this route rather than starting with NDT which contains both T4 and T3...we don't know if it's content of 9mcg T3 and 38mcg T4 per grain might be right for her.

However if her GP flatly refuses to treat then I would try it....be sure it's NDT and not just a glandular

Good luck

[pennyannie]

Hello TheresaGreen :

It looks as though your daughter's thyroid is struggling to function, she has the start of symptoms but unfortunately with results ' in the ranges ' these will likely be dismissed by most doctors -

Did you also have the thyroid antibodies run - what are the results ?

Similarly were the core strength vitamins and minerals run ?

as ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D need to be maintained at optimal levels anyway to support the body and thyroid function pre and post medication.

A euthyroid TSH reading would be around 1.20 - with a Free T4 around midway through the range with a Free T3 tracking just behind the T4 :

Years ago hypothyroidism was diagnosed when the TSH tipped over 3 -

currently we need 2 blood tests -a couple of months apart with a TSH over 10 -

but if there are thyroid antibodies and symptoms an understanding NHS doctor may consider commencing treatment with T4 - Levothyroxine.

[Pixielula]

It would also depend what time of the day her bloods were drawn. Always have thyroid bloods done fasting and the earliest app of the day 8-8:30 the difference between an early app and an afternoon app can be the difference between treatment and no treatment!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

she needs thyroid antibodies and vitamin levels tested as well …..as do you

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

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)

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 (and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before 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

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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