blood results

[Teacher45]

I recently had my blood test done with the following results:

TSH - 1.51

T4 - 14.9

looking back on my past results, my TSH level has dropped quite a bit. GP saying no action needed as it’s within normal range but I’m concerned about WHY it has dropped so much?

[greygoose]

It honestly doesn't matter. TSH is just a rough guide to thyroid status - very rough! And can be affected by so many things. For example, did you have both tests at the same time of day? Because TSH is highest before 9 am and lowest around midday, then starts to climb again. If you don't always have your blood draw at the same time of day, you cannot compare them.

What's important is the FT4. Is that still the same as the last test? Or has that risen?

Doctors do not understand ranges. They're not taught anything about them in med school. However, you would think that simple logic would tell you that, given the width of the ranges, the results cannot possibly be good all the way through. One of the commonest ranges for FT4 is 12-22. How can the possibly imagine that a person is going to feel the same if their result is 12.1 as they do with a result of 21.9. It just beggars belief that they can be that dim-witted and/or naive. But I don't know what you can do about it apart from making a nuisance of yourself until he gives you what you want to get rid of you!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How do you feel

How much levothyroxine are you taking

ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am, only drinking water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

What’s range on Ft4

On Levo TSH frequently drops low, often below range

Most important results are always Ft3, followed by Ft4 and maintaining OPTIMAL vitamin levels

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid and on levothyroxine

Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older

For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels

What vitamin supplements are you taking

VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together

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

thyroiduk.org/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...

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

[Teacher45 in reply to SlowDragon]

wow! You know so much! I feel like a complete newbie with it all!

I have my TSH levels and my t4. Currently taking 62.5 of levothyroxine. As for how I feel, generally I’m always feeling tired and just not myself.

I’m currently taking immune vitamins - I was told my vitamin d and folic were low but honestly never knew it had anything to do with my thyroid as nothing was ever said by the doctor.

I originally had hyperthyroid, about 2 years ago I had radiation therapy which has now caused me to have hypothyroidism.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Teacher45]

62.5mcg is extremely low dose

How long have you been on this dose and which brand of levothyroxine

Even if we frequently start on only 50mcg, most people need to increase levothyroxine dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps (retesting 6-8 weeks after each increase) until eventually on, or somewhere near full replacement dose (typically 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo of your weight per day)

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypo...

bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/levot...

Some people need a bit less than guidelines, some a bit more

What’s the range on Ft4 ….figures in brackets after result

Different labs have different ranges

Most common is 12-22

14 in a range of 12-22 would be low

But 14 in range of 7-16 …..it would be high

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH

We need GOOD vitamin levels for good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone)

Poor conversion results in low Ft3

Low Ft3 directly linked to low vitamin levels due to low stomach acid and poor nutrient absorption

Essential to test and maintain optimal vitamin levels

Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking

Please add most recent vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin results