My latest two blood tests are below.
First blood test:
TSH: 4.16 (range 0.27 - 4.2)
T4: 11.4 (range 11.9 - 21.6) BELOW
Second blood test:
TSH: 4.49 (range 0.35 - 4.94)
T4: 12.7 (range 9.0 - 19.1)
T3: 4.6 (range 2.4 - 6.0)
Because my TSH is not above 5 (although 0.04 away from top threshold in first test) and my T4 was lower than range in the rust test - do you think that warrants medication.
I'm 40, female, exhausted and sudden weight gain.
I'm not on levothyroxine yet
welcome to the forum
Were both tests done early morning, ideally before 9am
Just testing thyroid….doesn’t give whole picture
You need to test thyroid antibodies and vitamin levels
should be retested 6-8 weeks again
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
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
Could be peri menopause too
But see what thyroid retest and vitamin levels show first
Hi, thanks. Both tests were fasting. First one 10:30 (that's the earliest I could get), second one 8:30.
Vitamin D was 60 (range > 50)
If I have another retest, would the status of vitamins change whether I should take thyroxine?
Is this subclinical if T4 is below range on the first but TSH is not above 5?
having low thyroid levels will frequently cause low stomach acid and poor nutrient absorption and low vitamin levels as direct result
Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH
Improving vitamin levels to optimal can improve symptoms too
Graph showing median TSH in healthy population is 1-1.5
web.archive.org/web/2004060...
Vitamin D is too low
How much vitamin D are you currently taking
GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol.
Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol
leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...
GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)
mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...
But, improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/218...
vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...
Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.
Test twice yearly when supplementing
Can test via NHS private testing service
Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.
There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7.
One spray = 1000iu
amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...
It’s trial and error what dose we need, with thyroid issues we frequently need higher dose than average
Vitamin D and thyroid disease
grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...
Vitamin D may prevent Autoimmune disease
newscientist.com/article/23...
Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7
Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine
betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...
medicalnewstoday.com/articl...
livescience.com/61866-magne...
sciencedaily.com/releases/2...
Recipe ideas
bbc.co.uk/food/articles/mag...
Interesting article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium
drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...
Vitamin K2 mk7
betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...
healthline.com/nutrition/vi...
Sorry I replied on a separate thread below. Getting used to this website!
Thanks. I do have better you but I'm tending to use the vitabiotics 1000 iu.
So I'm seeing the endocrinologist in an hour. If you were me, would you be asking for thyroxine - if he's willing to prescribe?
Or would you be sorting vitamin / ferritin etc levels out first which might fix the thyroid on its own?
I have a strong family history of hypothyroidism but no one has tested for the antibodies apart from me which were fine.
Have you tested BOTH TPO and TG antibodies
Have you had ultrasound scan of thyroid
How long have you been taking 1000iu vitamin D. Suggest you increase to 2000-3000iu daily
I would test B12, folate and full iron panel including ferritin next
Before considering starting Levothyroxine
Retest thyroid again 2-3 months after getting all vitamins optimal
And get tested for peri menopause
Thank you for your reply.
No only tested for TPO (GP didn't offer TG).
No not had an ultrasound.
Thanks so much, I'll request all of this for a blood test.
NHS can’t/won’t test TG antibodies unless TPO antibodies are high
You will need to test via Medichecks or Blue Horizon
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
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...
Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue too.
Request coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet
Thank you, I've had thorough gluten testing as my son has raised antibodies for it.
Waiting to see consultant!
If I'm offered thyroxine - would you take it? I feel absolutely exhausted all the time.
Either way I'm thinking I'm going to remove gluten and once I've had a proper blood test, strictly increase iron and vitamins.
Personally I would want to test and get vitamin levels optimal first
If you have low iron/ferritin or B vitamins this can cause fatigue
And important to have optimal vitamin levels to process thyroid hormones.
Yes, definitely.
Have you not had any B12, folate or ferritin tests recently
Looking to maintain
Serum B12 over 500
Active B12 at least over 70
Folate towards top of range
Ferritin at least over 70
yes! Do you have symptoms? I think at least you should be given a “trial of treatment” for 3m minimum. If you are in a position of possibly having to fight for treatment I suggest you look at the symptoms list of hypothyroidism on the thyroid uk website, write down a list of all symptoms you have and then see your gp armed with your list which is your ‘reason’ for wanting a trial of treatment rather than just repeat bloods in 6-8 weeks!
Yes I've been put on 25mcg Teva for 2 weeks and then 50mcg for 3 months.
Bit nervous being on the Teva brand but I'm lactose intolerant.
I do have many symptoms and a strong family history.
Well I’m glad you’ve been started on treatment. Some people don’t do well on Teva but others do very well. At least you know there could be problems so you’ll be alert within days if you do Hv problems. Ie you know to look out for problems rather than blaming any new symptoms on the actual thyroid!
Are these normal test results for someone with Hashi?
What do these results mean please?
Blood results looking like subclinical hyperthyroidism
GP says results are fine
