Mrs b

[Maybury]

Hello ..I've had my thyroid results ...tsh..4.48 ..free t4..13.2 ....I'm wondering do I need medication ...my symptoms are muscle pain ..hair loss ..tiredness ..and tinnitus ..I dint see dr for a few weeks yet thanks 😊

[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.

Do you have the reference range for each test - numbers in brackets after your result? These are important as are different between labs.

Is this your first thyroid test or have you had others that TSH was high or above range?

You need 2 tests with TSH above range, consecutively on the nHS, 3 months apart to get a diagnosis and begin treatment.

Also essential to test vitamin levels and raise to optimal with OTC supplements.

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.

Have you had your thyroid antibodies tested?

[Maybury in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks for all your information

[SlowDragon Administrator]

what time of day was this test done?

Just testing TSH and Ft4 is inadequate

TSH is higher than typical

ESSENTIAL to test

Thyroid antibodies for autoimmune thyroid disease

Hairloss suggests low iron/ferritin

Tinnitus suggests low B12

Are you vegetarian or vegan

Approx age?

Request GP test vitamin D, folate, B12 and full iron panel test including ferritin

And rebook second thyroid test In another 2-3 months after improving low vitamin levels

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

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

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)

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

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

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

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...

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

[TheMudRunner]

Hi Maybury . My initial TSH was 4.62. Too low for the NHS to treat, but I saw a private GP who immediately put me on levothyroxine. My TPO antibodies were also high, my vitamin B12, and D were very low / below reference point so all signs pointed to me needing Levo.

My NHS GP wasn’t willing to trial me on levothyroxine due to “the risk of developing brittle bones if I don’t really need it”. She also refused to give me vitamin D supplements (I was well out of reference range for this vitamin) which would lead to the same however which was frustrating. She would budge even when I pointed the logical fallacy of her position (politely but firmly). Still, there we are…

I used the Blue Horizon gold thyroid tests for my levels - would highly recommend them, and they have 15% off atm I believe.