Test results back - within range?

[menochar]

I posted last week that I suspected I was hypo (family history... that and coeliac) and you suggested I go away and get bloods tested. So results are as follows, all 'within range'... Slightly disappointed because I hoped that hypo might explain some of the symptoms I have that are otherwise unexplained (sore in thyroid area LHS), dry frizzy hair, sore swollen eyes, weight gain (water retention) and as Leonard Cohen sang- 'I ache in the places that I used to play' ... GP was reluctant to get bloods done so now theyre back in range can't see her wanting to treat?

Many thanks btw... this chat room is THE most helpful I have ever come across!

TSH - 2.87 (range 0.27 - 4.2)

Free F3 - 3.4 (range 3.1 - 6.8)

Free Thyroxine 15.5 (range 12 - 22)

Folate serum - 33.1 (range more than 7 )

B12 - 95 (range 37.5 - 188)

Vit D - 102 (5 - 250)

Thyroglobin - 18.5 ( range 0 - 115)

Thyroid peroxidase - 12.3 (range 0 - 34)

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Free T4 (fT4) 15.5 pmol/L (12 - 22) 35.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 3.4 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 8.1%

Horribly low in range though so likely to cause the symptoms

[menochar in reply to TiggerMe]

Thanks for replying. ... so what next? GP isn't going to be convinced I don't think...

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to menochar]

Various options... you could see a private GP for a trial of levothyroxine or even a private Endo who might realize you have central/ secondary hypo (under performing pituitary gland/hypothalamus, poor feedback loop) or perhaps you'd rather look at Metavive which is a non prescription glandular which might give your numbers a lift and highlight the need

Noelnoel is knowledgeable when it comes to Metavive 😉

[menochar in reply to TiggerMe]

Thank you have messaged noelnoel and shes been super helpful, as all of you are on here!

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to menochar]

Excellent... well done Noelnoel 🤗

[pennyannie]

Hello Menochar :

Yes your results are all in the range but this doesn't mean they are in the right places within the ranges for you not to have symptoms - which you currently have by the bucket full :

In someone presumed to be euthyroid and having a normal thyroid function we would see a

TSH around 1.20-1.50 with a T4 at around 50% with a T3 tracking just behind the T4 result.

So your TSH is nearer 3 than 2 and years ago treatment for hypothyroidism was started when the TSH rose over 3 - and still is the recommendation in other countries around the world, and for most people hypothyroid symptoms start creeping up on them when a TSH is over 2.

Your T4 is at only 35% through its range and your T3 hardly visible at just 8% in its range

Have you shown these results to your doctor ?

An NHS doctor is not obliged to accept Private blood test results but it is painfully obvious you need more T4 circulating in your blood in order to produce and convert to more T3 - which is the active hormone that runs the body.

Is there another doctor at the surgery who maybe more understanding - as currently I'm afraid your paper results are not ' bad enough ' to qualify for a prescription of T4 thyroid hormone replacement.

Please ensure that any eye drops you use to ease discomfort are Preservative Free - even those prescribed.

Just for reference I aim to maintain my ferritin at around 100 - folate around 20 - active B12 125 ( serum B12 500++ ) and vitamin D at at around 125.

[menochar in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you Penny Annie! It seems that you are all saying the same thing which is so reassuring. These things have been going on for so long that I have stopped talking to my family about it as I get rolling eyes and disinterest. And the GP provision is almost impossible to access and then when you do eventually get a telephone conversation (never face to face) I can almost hear the eye rolling!!! I would really like to go in there with some sort of 'official' data to back myself up but not sure where I would get that.

[pennyannie in reply to menochar]

I know - I totally get it -

I was ' made ' hypothyroid by having had RAI thyroid ablation for Graves Disease and was immediately put on T4 - Levothyroxine -

however the management of same and my health didn't improve long term -

and I now self medicate and look after myself - even though I had a prescription - but that's a whole other conversation:

Other than finding a doctor who knows and understands thyroid health issues and prepared to support your ailing health now - before the computer deems you need help and ' flags ' you up - is the question ?

[menochar in reply to pennyannie]

Yes... Much easier to have the conversation now that I know it's not all in my head, which I had wondered tbh. Just out of interest how do you self medicate? Over the counter supplements?

[pennyannie in reply to menochar]

No - without a thyroid - I'm not sure OTC supplements that are available in the UK would offer enough support :

I buy Natural Desiccated Thyroid which declares a measured dose of both T3 and T4 in each grain/tablet.

The NHS prescribe Armour - the leading brand of NDT - but systematically over the past 20 odd years withdrawing prescribing to new patients - due to costs though will deny that the reason -

and having been refused both T3 and NDT in 2018 by my doctor and NHS hospital decided to do it for myself - as by then - thanks in the most part - this forum - I felt more confident in myself knowing there was support here - if I needed it.

I couldn't afford to go privately - paid into the NHS with a full stamp for 40 years :

[menochar in reply to pennyannie]

No I can't really afford to go private. It doesn't make sense for the NHS not to want to treat people ... Ultimately it'll cost them more? Anyway... I shall see if I can talk again to my GP and work out where to go from there

[pennyannie in reply to menochar]

Yes - you would think so - sadly it doesn't seem to always work out that way :

[menochar]

But thank you so so much!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Your folate result seems high

No ferritin result?

Suggest you get ultrasound scan of thyroid

How long have you been diagnosed as coeliac and on gluten free diet

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...

[menochar in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi slowdragon, Thanks for your message. My ferritin was 204 (30 - 264). Am not coeliac, but my sister is and is also hypo. The doctor has referred me for thyroid scan but don't suppose I'll get one for a long while. Thinking back I had a thyroid test back in 2020 when my throat/neck pain first emerged, which came back almost identical to what it is now. The throat problem went away then but came back following a viral infection in January 2023. No idea what's going onbut have made a private appointment with one of the doctors on the list supplied on the ThyroidUK list. Determined to get to the bottom of this...