hi, I had a consultation with [endocrinologist name redacted] and have never felt so dismissed. I was referred to an Endo for low FT4 levels my TSH is normal but low side of normal. My fatigue is ridiculous and wake up feeling shattered. I struggle getting through a day and find I need to sleep. I have gained weight and have a really muzzy head as well as other symptoms. He told me I’m fine and there is nothing there….
has anyone else experienced this?
Your experience has been reported far too many times.
Have you got any more information, a brief history, blood test results, etc., that you would share in order that members can try to make some suggestions?
You can add something to your profile - then it will always be available.
My FT4 is 10.9 pmol which is now lower than November my TSH is no 0.935 which is now lower than it was in April this year.
I am really struggling with every day life
Do you have a reference interval (range) for that FT4? (The ranges vary hugely from lab to lab.)
A TSH of 0.935 could be OK - but not if FT4 is very low.
I assume no FT3 test? Nor antibodies? Nor iron (ferritin, etc.)? Nor B12?
The range is 12-22
In which case 10.9 is appallingly low.
We'd expect a result of at least 17, quite possibly 19 or more when treated, to feel OK.
If your TSH is failing to rise (we'd expect a much higher TSH in someone with such a low FT4), that suggests you have an issue that is preventing the TSH from rising. It doesn't mean that anyone should IGNORE the low FT4!
Also my serum folate is low and I’m now on medication but he said it’s fine too
Low folate is bad. But what is your B12?
Trouble is, taking folate when you have low B12 is a bad path. The folate resolves some aspects of B12 deficiency but that helps to mask that you have a B12 deficiency at all.
Are you vegetarian or vegan? If you are either, do you take any B12 supplementation at all?
No not a vegan my serum folate is 2.6 and in the results states it should be above 3
ConfusedH, To make it easier for members to understand your situation, can you please summarise the circumstances that lead to your GP referring you to an endocrinologist.
A list of all your thyroid test results, with their accompanying ranges, and the dates and times the blood was drawn, will help members to help you.
Was this a private Endo or an NHS referral, if your FT4 is only 10.9 and the range starts at 12 then it suggests woeful undermedication. Sounds like this Endo doesnt know his arse from his elbow.
I could have gone NHS but I have private health insurance so went private
I think this endocrinologist is a diabetes person so it looks like you picked the wrong doctor. A low fT4 with a normal TSH indicates central hypothyroidism. Did they measure your fT3? I suspect your fT3 will be low normal.
should I get another opinion or is it likely I will get the same response?
When you make a reply you need to use the button under the response that you are replying to, otherwise that person doesnt get a notification of your reply.
You could keep pushing on with your GP. Learn a little from reading this group and challenge your GP. Keep going back until you get what you need, try different GPs.
What time of day are you having your thyroid blood tests? It makes a difference as TSH runs on a circadian rhythm so is higher first thing in the morning before 9am and lower later in the day.
Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process).
Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.
I suspect you have other low vitamin levels other than folate. Have you also had B12, ferritin & D3 tested and what were the results? If they haven't been tested then ask GP or buy a private test. Post results in a new post.
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.
Thank you so much for this
Yep. Would you mind messaging me privately in case it was the same person we saw?
how do I do that
thank you for everyone’s responses you have no idea how much you have helped me. I have another opinion booked in
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