I had tests on my thyroid last year which showed my T4 as slightly low on 3 different tests. My GP told me there wasn't anything to worry, nothing to follow up.
Fast forward to now when my GP has referred me to a specialist for something else and listed in my medical history 'Secondary Hypothyroidism' ???
I am completely confused. Can anyone tell me what this means? Obviously I will go to my GP ask for an explanation, but just wanted to get some info from the experts on here first if possible.
Thanks in advance x
Written by
Lottielou7
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Secondary hypo is when the problem is with the pituitary rather than the thyroid itself.
With Primary Hypo, where the thyroid itself is failing, you will have: low FT4/3 and high TSH.
TSH is a pituitary hormone. So, if the pituitary isn't functioning correctly, you will have low-in-range TSH but also low FT4/3. Because the thyroid cannot make hormone without the stimulation of the TSH. And we call that Secondary Hypo.
I think the question you need to ask him is: if he knows you have Secondary Hypo - which it certainly looks like you do - your FT4 is under-range! - why isn't he treating it? That is negligence.
Hi, I'm not vegetarian or vegan and periods erratic as peri-menopause. I was prescribed a course of folic acid at the beginning of this year which I realise now GP was due to review but never did (my fault, I didn't chase them). I take Vit D supplements off my own back and no treatment yet for COPD as waiting to see a specialist beg of Oct.
Then it’s more likely your anaemia is because you are hypothyroid rather than anaemia causing low thyroid levels
Have you finished folic acid prescription
Have you retested vitamin levels since folic acid prescription
If not I suggest you do so
If folate remains low and/or low B12 as well now
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement
A week later add a separate vitamin B Complex
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) Thorne can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
GP should be doing full iron panel test including ferritin for anaemia
come back with new post once you get up to date results
Serum ferritin level is the biochemical test, which most reliably correlates with relative total body iron stores. In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing.
It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron
Test early morning, only water to drink between waking and test. Avoid high iron rich dinner night before test
If taking any iron supplements stop 5-7 days before testing
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
secondary hypothyroidism - pituitary tumor?
Discrimination against central/secondary hypothyroidism 
Hashimotos or secondary hypothyroidism?
Secondary / Central Hypothyroidism Questions?
