Newbie and blood tests

[HubbaBubbaLover]

Good morning all,

I've been borderline underactive thyroid for a year or so. I was never told my levels and they aren't on my GP app.

I've been retested recently and have a TSH level of 6. I also have a TSH receptor level of 0.3.

I have a few symptoms..

Tiredness

Brain fog

Cold all the time

Thinning eyebrows

Dry skin/hair/nails

Aching muscles/joints/knuckles/elbow joins etc

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start. Fill out the free text box at the top.

You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.

To get a diagnosis and begin treatment one needs 2 TSH results above range , 3 months apart on the NHS.

To show your TSH at its highest (it varies throughout the day) always book your blood test for 9am or earlier. Also, fast that morning before the test, only drinking water and stop any supplement containing biotin such as a B complex 4-7 days before the test. Biotin can interfere with the results.

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins.

Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

There is also a new company offering walk in& mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

Do you know if you had positive thyroid antibodies? Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test.

[HubbaBubbaLover in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks for your reply. I had a tsh receptor level of 0.3. I don't know if that's the anti bodies? My ferritin is 38. I didn't have any other (relevant) tests.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to HubbaBubbaLover]

Get GP reception to print out all previous thyroid blood tests and see if there are any other tests and what the levels are.

You've now had 1 TSH test above range but need another one in 3 months time thats also above range to begin treatment.

Ask GP to retest in 3-4 months time. To show your TSH at its highest (it varies throughout the day) always book your blood test for 9am or earlier. Also, fast that morning before the test, only drinking water and stop any supplement containing biotin such as a B complex 4-7 days before the test. Biotin can interfere with the results.

Ask GP to test folate, B12 & D3 levels.

Your ferritin level is too low. Ferritin should be around 90 - 100 for best use of thyroid hormone. Suggest increasing iron rich foods in diet and eating them often. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc

Link with ideas for dietary iron:

dailyiron.net/https://three...

[HubbaBubbaLover]

Thank you. That's very helpful.

[Tinkerbell_84]

Hi hubbabbubba

I'm.very similar to you all mine have been borderline low or lower than range and nothing has been done, have all same symptoms as you too.

This page has been a godsend to me as it's so frustrating with GP that won't help.

I've been given advice like ypu too to up all my supplements and start taking additional and retest in a few months.

I paid for the private test with medicheck which was really help as that said I was iron deficient when my Dr said I was fine.

Ive got more blood test with gp Friday but then will begin taking my supplements SlowDragon has been amazing with advice on supplements and when best to take them

Good luck 👍

[HubbaBubbaLover]

Just a quick update..My thyroid was first found to be borderline in 2015. My last (bar this one) TSH level was 5.2. Its now 6. My antibodies are negative.

My GP receptionist said my results were stable and borderline. Obviously not knowing I could see them. I requested a call back from a doctor. He told me the same. He said they don't treat under a TSH level 10. Asked for some of my symptoms. When I mentioned my eyebrows and hair thinning he told me it was impossible as this didn't happen at a level 6 but only a level 60.

I've been asked to be tested for B12 and Vit D so I've booked that. So who knows!