I am about to go to the doctors in an hour to speak about some blood tests I had done last week.
To me the results are on the higher side. From what I’m reading most doctors don’t like to do antibody tests and t3 and t4. How can I persuade them to do these just to check my levels?
I had lots of other blood tests that I’ve uploaded the results in a previous thread. Not sure how I upload that here.
my vitamin d is low, folic acid is low and my cortisol is through the roof. (Not sure if any of them make a difference)
I’ve been having a lot of symptoms for a while now and only feel worse every day.
thyroid issues and Hashimoto runs in my family.
So yes how can I get the GP to listen and do the blood work I want doing?
Thank you
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Can you share the exact vitamin results along with reference range for each test? You can upload one image at a time per reply. Just write a word or 2 to make it work. Keep adding replies for each one.
Persuading your GP to test TSH, FT4 & FT3 is one thing but its the labs that veto it and its just not possible in many areas. Better to buy a private test and be sure what you're getting is what you need.
Your GP at a minimum should be retesting you every 3-4 months to monitor the higher than average levels which are likely to go above range sooner or later.
Supplementing low vitamin levels can help your TSH go slightly higher in some cases.
I have added the link to a previous post with all my results on and ranges. Hope that helps.
I don’t mind buying supplements if the doctors are willing to listen and do the relevant tests. I just want to feel better. Not even sure if it’s my thyroid causing the issues or another issue.
Could be cortisol? CFS? Fibromyalgia? I’m very symptomatic of lots of things right now.
So your thyroid is underactive and you should get an antibodies test at least from him.
He might argue it isn't failing enough yet!! Push hard to get started on levothyroxine.
Your folate 4.7 needs to be at least double figures, B12 375 needs to be above 600, Vit D 36 needs to be 100+ all need supplementing but you'll need to by over the counter supplements as you aren't actually below range
Your ferritin is deficient so push for a full iron panel to see if you are safe to supplement
How do I argue this when they are leaving comments next to my results that no action is required. It’s hard when you ain’t medically minded and the brain fog is so bad at the moment the information just won’t stay in my head. I don’t want to go the doctors and look stupid 🤦🏻♀️
It is hard to get them to listen but your symptoms are inline with low thyroid hormones, low B12 also makes you feel foggy... you could say you have been on the Thyroid UK website and your symptoms and high TSH are pointing towards hypothyroidism.... with your low calcium you could ask for a referral to Endocrinology?
Your results also suggest anaemia is a possibility
Yes it does, your adrenals work hard to try and help the body when thyroid levels are low and this can lead to cortisol climbing and as the adrenals get exhausted cortisol can drop very low
Drs generally look for a trend in results depending on what was investigated not one off results. From my experience, my borderline high TSH was ignored for years, along with borderline low T4 and high antibodies. However, it wasn't monitored during lock down and TSH sky rocketed into the hundreds. I had a breakdown at that point. Later my vit D was mentioned in passing as being only 30 with no advice. On being pushed the Dr vaguely said to just get over the counter vit D. Then he looked alert. . Ohh your cholesterol is high. You MUST take these statins and the consultation switched to something he liked..My conclusion is that it very much depends on how able and willing your Dr is in trying to include you in discussing what you think is wrong and working with you to sort it out. Good luck.
Your TSH is not normal. A 'normal' (euthyroid) TSH would be around 1, never over 2 - that shows it's struggling - and when it gets to 3 you are technically hypo. But doctors are taught in med school that it must be over 10! In which case, why even bother to have a range?!?
back from the doctors. They have given me vit d and folic acid. And put a referral to a Rheumatologists to check for an auto immune disease. Not sure if they will do anything about the thyroid. The doctor it’s in normal range so he’s not concerned despite having the symptoms. I asked for an antibody, t3 t4 and explained my dad has Hashimoto. They said if rheumatology are happy with everything then they will refer to endo.
Think I’ll just do a private blood test so I can get the ball rolling a lot quicker.
Folic acid is not the best form of folate to take - but it's cheap, that's why doctors prescribe it. You'd be better off getting a B complex (because all the Bs work together and need to be kept balanced) containing methylfolate at 400 mcg.
If you're taking vit D, you should also take magnesium because the two work together. And if you don't take any, the vit D will seriously deplete your magnesium - which is probably low, anyway.
You should also take vit K2-MK7 because taking vit D increases absorption of calcium from food, and the K2 makes sure it goes into the bones and teeth, and doesn't build up in the soft tissues.
My TSH was around this level and increased fairly quickly - my GP did start me on meds before I reached “over 10” which was initially what I was told it would need to be over.
My GP offered a trail of meds once he could see that my TSH was just getting worse over time. It was frustrating waiting while feeling awful. I also did private full thyroid bloods myself as I didn’t want that fight with GP!
Your doctor is failing you. Their diagnosis should be based on your symptoms with a confirmation of a lab test if available. You have the symptoms and the lab test is all but over range and heading to be so. QED prescribe a trial of levothyroxine to see if symptoms improve thereby indisputably confirmation of hypothyroidism.
Make sure, if you are taking any supplements or protein drinks that contain biotin, you stop them a few days before labs. Biotin causes lab interference and will give you an artificially lower TSH and artificially raised FT3 and FT4. Vit D has been found to affect T4 to T3 conversion, as has calcium. Vit K2, taken with D3, helps regulate your calcium, directing it to bones and teeth and away from arteries. Zinc also affects conversion. I take Solaray Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc. The one time I discontinued it for almost a year, to take another brand of calcium, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. After reintroducing Solaray C M&Z, my next scan was downgraded to osteopenia. Even if you can't get your Dr to agree, there are a few things you can do that might help your symptoms. Deficiencies have many of the same symptoms.
Thank you everyone for you input and replies. I have a lot of researching to do into supplements etc.
I took the vitamin D that the doctors prescribed today. I have do take one, once a week for 6 weeks. They are liquid things.
And I’ll do the 28day course of folic acid and then look at buying my own.
I was previously taking ashwaganda and magnesium in the evening but stopped them 2 weeks before I had bloods so I would get a true reading of everything.
I assume the next lot of bloods I have will be when I go to the clinic at rheumatology. So I’ll be sure to stop all supplements a week or 2 before then.
Thank you again all for the information. I’ll have a good read as and when I can. The brain fog and forgetfulness is so bad at the moment though so nothing seems to sink in.
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