test results

[Bonfire24]

hi please can you give me you opinion to these test results having problems understanding them

Tsh 1.060

Ft4 12.30

Ft3 4.35

thank you

[greygoose]

Hi Bonfire24, welcome to the forum.

Before anyone can understand those results they need to see the ranges. Ranges vary from lab to lab, so we need to see those that came with your results.

And, we need to know if you have been diagnosed with any sort of thyroid problem, and if so, what you are taking for it and how much. There is no information on your profile, so perhaps you could fill that in a bit to help people help you? Thank you.

[Bonfire24 in reply to greygoose]

thank you yes I will add that information.

Doctor thinks all my symptoms point to low thyroid but the tsh has always came back ok.so I had test done with Randox and the results were on the low side I think.

I’ve made appointment with the doctor but that’s not for a couple of weeks.

Im also being investigated for high platelet count.

I have b12 injections every 3 months and also have annoying pulsating tinnitus.

Results

[greygoose in reply to Bonfire24]

Your FT4 is very low, yes. But, the information isn't complete:

- what time of day was the blood draw for this test?

- were Tg antibodies also tested?

All these different elements have to be taken into consideration before one can come to any conclusions.

[Bonfire24 in reply to greygoose]

Hi the test was taken at 11 am and I had nothing to drink or eat at least 12 hours before.

Anti bodies

[greygoose in reply to Bonfire24]

OK, so your TgAB were negative. But the blood draw was too late in the morning. The TSH would have been nearing its lowest point. I would have been higher before 9 am. However, impossible to say how much higher.

But, your doctor should not just be looking at the TSH. It's not high TSH that makes you hypo. It's low thyroid hormone levels - FT4 and FT3. The TSH should reflect those levels but it doesn't always. TSH is a pituitary hormone, so if the pituitary isn't working correctly, the TSH will be low, and without the stimulation of the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) the thyroid cannot make thyroid hormones.

Your low FT4 is saying 'hypo'. Your FT3 is slightly higher in range, which is absnormal for a start, and often happens when the thyroid is failing for some reason. You your case, it would seem, it's because the pituitary is not responding to the low thyroid hormone levels. This is called Central Hypo (failure of pituitary or hypothalamus), but as it's considered to be very rare - it isn't! - doctors don't learn about it in med school. So, your doctor is spot on thinking your problems are related to your thyroid, but he won't know why. However, he sounds like the kind of doctor you can discuss things with. So, do your homework and mug up on Central Hypo, and then suggest it to him.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

welcome to forum.

Could you add a history. Are you diagnosed with thyroid issue & taking replacement.

Was the sample for these test results taken as recommended? Early morning draw, fast overnight. Replacement dose delayed until after draw & no biotin supplements 3/7 before test?

Most importantly can you add lab range, we can’t accurately interpret without lab range.

[Bonfire24 in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you yes I will fill in the information.

I’m not taking anything at the moment as it’s still under investigation what’s causing the symptoms.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

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

[Bonfire24 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have had a blood test taken to check as my platelets seem to be continuing to rise.i will get those results hopefully Tuesday

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So next steps get vitamin and TG antibodies tested as well

If TG antibodies also negative…..un ultrasound scan of thyroid can be helpful

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

Do you have Pernicious Anaemia that you are on B12 injections

Or are you vegetarian or vegan

As you have B12 injections it’s recommended to also to supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Igennus B complex popular option. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) Thorne can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...