TSH blood test: Hello everyone, I've got my TSH... - Thyroid UK

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TSH blood test

Ticman profile image
37 Replies

Hello everyone, I've got my TSH three month follow up blood test result. I followed all advice and had test done early morning (7.35am) after fasting for 12 hours. My question is,if my result is 1.9 at its highest point. What would my reading be if I measured it mid afternoon after eating? Does the result fluctuate that much? I'm at a loss because I honestly expected my reading to go up not down!

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Ticman
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humanbean profile image
humanbean

You should read this link - it discusses the circadian rhythms of TSH, FT4 and FT3 :

thyroidpatients.ca/2020/07/...

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to humanbean

Thank you for that infirmation. So it doesnt change (TSH) that much is what im taking from the article?

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply to Ticman

This link shows the same graphs but without the other info given in the earlier link, and it might be easier to get the info you want :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

It has been shown in the past that people have found themselves not getting diagnosed with hypothyroidism because their TSH was always measured in the afternoon when TSH is at its lowest. So it does matter to getting diagnosed.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

You need to get full thyroid and vitamin testing, especially as you have and are taking PPI

When were vitamin levels last tested

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH

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

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to SlowDragon

I had my annual review with nurse in January and im sure they test for vitamins, what are the blood tests,do you know? Ive got the NHS app with all my blood test results on it,but im not sure what they are testing? Will ask doctor if i can have a full thyroid and vitamin test. I was surprised to see my TSH at a good level after testing positive for TPO antibodies. How can that happen?

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to Ticman

I have seen on one of your links,that you can have an over reactive thyroid before it turns into an under reactive thyroid with hashimotos. I hope thats not what is happening?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Ticman

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH because thyroid needs good vitamin levels

Also with Hashimoto’s thyroid levels hop up and down a lot, so TSH is especially unreliable.

early stages thyroid doesn’t go “over active” but as cells break down they can release thyroid hormones causing temporary high Ft4/Ft3 and low TSH

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you

Jemjet profile image
Jemjet in reply to SlowDragon

Hi slow dragon wanted to ask ? If tsh goes up and with HD how are we going to ever get help … 😨🥰

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Jemjet

Sorry don’t understand the question

Jemjet profile image
Jemjet in reply to SlowDragon

ment if tsh goes up and down with hashimotos how are we ever guna get help from endo professionals whom are supposed to have trained . It will go on forever for this whom can’t afford to seek private help xx . It so sad this nightmare suffering even some privates endow don’t get it xx its as though if you have hashi’s you have no human rights to health and unless your savvy and indicated in the endocrine system you are never going to understand how to help yourself . A lot people can read the advice but may not understand what it means xx.

So sad and frightening 😨🙏🥰

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Jemjet

This is a fundamental issue.

Hashimoto's CANNOT be diagnosed by TSH, FT4 and FT3. So anyone who makes assumptions based on them alone is taking a wrong turning from the start. (They can suggest that Hashimoto's is a possibility.)

There are several routes to diagnosis but, generally, the Thyroid Peroxidase antibody test is used. Despite:

a) Some having Hashimoto's but never seeing high TPOab;

b) Some having Thyroglobulin antibodies but never getting tested;

c) Much confusion over possible presence of these antibodies in Graves disease.

Also, ultrasound and other imaging can be used. A thyroid subject to autoimmune processes has distinct characteristics.

The hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's is treated by thyroid hormone replacement (albeit usually levothyroxine monotherapy).

The incursions into hyperthyroidism that can occur are occasionally treated by carbimazole - but likely that is usually due to confusion with Graves. Though people can have both Hashimoto's and Graves at the same time.

But Hashimoto's itself is pretty much never treated. Partly because there is little available that has been proved.

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to helvella

My Doctor told me i havent got Hashimotos although my TPO antibodies were over 100. He said the threat is there and to check TSH every three months.

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to Ticman

Also had a ultrasound which showed heterogenous thyroid and suggested thyroiditis?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Ticman

My Doctor told me i havent got Hashimotos although my TPO antibodies were over 100.

What he should have said is you have autoimmune disease, and currently thyroid “appears” to not be significantly affected ……though just testing TSH is waste of time and useless…..always test Ft4 and Ft3 as well

GP should test for coeliac disease once your blood test showed high thyroid antibodies …..has that been done yet

And tested vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What are your most recent vitamin results

Looking for OPTIMAL vitamin levels…..not just “within range”

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Once you have had coeliac test, assuming it’s negative, it’s always worth trying strictly gluten free diet…..and few months later dairy free

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to SlowDragon

Yeah ive tested negative for coeliac disease and my vitamin levels are all in range i assume because all blood tests came back normal. I wonder why my GP only tested TSH this time? I was taking a muli vitamin daily but have now stopped.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Ticman

Please add vitamin results

You will need to maintain GOOD vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

Many (most?) hashimoto’s patients need to supplement vitamin D, separate magnesium and vitamin B complex continuously to maintain optimal vitamin D, folate and B12

Test folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually and vitamin D twice year when supplementing

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to SlowDragon

Latest results

Results
Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to Ticman

Bloods

Result
Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to Ticman

Test

Bloods
Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to Ticman

Bloods

Bloods
Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to Ticman

Bloods

Bloods
Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to Ticman

Bloods

Bloods
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Ticman

Ferritin looks good

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Ticman

no vitamin D, folate, ferritin or B12 results?

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to SlowDragon

What blood test am I looking for? Can't see any with above in them,only the ferritin.

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to Ticman

Also I can't figure out how to upload more than one photo at a time? I'm useless with technology

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply to Ticman

Also I can't figure out how to upload more than one photo at a time? I'm useless with technology

You aren't useless. You've posted lots of pictures perfectly.

This website allows one picture to be posted in the first post in a thread, then it also allows one picture to be posted in each reply.

Personally I prefer to post pictures in the replies because they are larger and easier to see than the ones posted in the first post in the thread.

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to humanbean

Thanks for that, I thought i was going mad.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Ticman

So you need B12, folate and vitamin D tested

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £31 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Folate, B12 and ferritin - £49

monitormyhealth.org.uk/anae...

Or test everything - £65

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to SlowDragon

I'm thinking of paying and getting a finger prick home test done. Might be worth it if Doctor won't do them.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Ticman

How long since you stopped multivitamin

And did it contain iodine

Iodine can increase TSH and affect thyroid function

Iodine supplements not recommended with Hashimoto’s

Starting levothyroxine - flow chart

2 tests with TSH over 5, high thyroid antibodies and symptoms…..you should be offered trial on levothyroxine

Retest again in another 8-12 weeks

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to SlowDragon

Stopped about two weeks before latest blood test TSH 1.9 nothing else tested

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to Ticman

Yes Iodine and Biotin in multi vitamin tablet. Just checked.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Ticman

So suggest you get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing via Monitor My Health in 8 weeks

Ticman profile image
Ticman in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you

Jemjet profile image
Jemjet

just goes to show how little knowledge they have doesn’t it xx and my point of how are we ever guna get treated with these numties who don’t have a clue of the suffering and symptoms we go through ….! How can they be considered to be qualified if they can’t even get basics correct and willingly by to learn from the patients whom are experiencing this living nightmare we have no human rights 😨. . !

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