At least as far at the gp will be concerned...unless she trys to take the levothyroxine off me
TFT results on patients taking thyroxine are
technically validated. Suggest contact Consultant or
Clinical Scientist for advice.
Serum TSH level 0.22 mIU/L [0.27 - 4.2]; Below low reference limit
Serum free T4 level 21.8 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]
So a 9am test but as I didn't know I was having it (NHS health check) I'd taken my tablet (50)
In my mind this was the number I was aiming for
Don't be surprised if your GP looks at that TSH and wants to lower your Levo as it's just outside range. 🙄
In my mind this was the number I was aiming for
Please don't think like this. Aim for feeling well.
I'll leave it to others far more experienced and knowledgeable than me to add further comment🙂
Hello KatyMac :
We can't know if your ' thyroid is fixed ' as we haven't a full thyroid panel blood test which is a TSH + a Free T3 and Free T4 -
Once on any form of thyroid hormone replacement a TSH is not a reliable measure of anything - and was originally introduced as a diagnostic tool to help confirm a diagnosis of hypothyroidism - and was never intended to be used once any form of thyroid hormone replacement was prescribed.
Considering you took your T4 before the blood test - this could be giving a ' false high T4 ' so suggest if a dose reduction in T4 is suggested, which you feel not the right decision -
explain what happened and ask for another blood test and follow the forum guidelines regarding ' how best to prepare for a thyroid blood test ' : which I'm sure has been advised on previous posts.
Do you still have symptoms of hypothyroidism - do you ' feel fixed ' ?
As we age we likely need our thyroid hormone support adjusted as ' life gets in the way ' and goal posts move.
I dont feel fixed in any way but I have other illnesses so that's not unexpected
My gp has not been helpful with thyroid going back long before I had blood tests which suggested a problem
CFS/ME, Fibromyalgia, hypermobility, IBS (or a damaged bowel) and menopause are my main problems
And I was really hoping optimising my thyroid could help with my symptoms, exhaustion, brain fog, widespread pain, dry throat/cough
But with such a low reading they will try to reduce my levothyroxine which bit do think is helping somewhat
I reckon I might get away with - let's check in 12 weeks as that's how long you said my tsh had to be high for before we medicate & i had taken my levothyroixe so it will have made the reading higher.....but that might not work
Well - if you fix your thyroid you may well find several other symptoms fading away -
In order to try and fix your thyroid - you need to arrange a full thyroid blood panel -
TSH + Free T3 and Free T4 - you also need to know your inflammation and thyroid antibody markers plus ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D readings and ranges.
If you doctor will not help you with this blood test you can arrange it yourself as many of us have been forced to do - and then you simply start a new post with all the results and ranges and you will be talked through what it all means for you and advised on your next best steps back to better health.
If you go into Thyroid UK - thyroiduk.org the charity who supports this forum there is page detailing Private Blood companies who can and follow the instructions as to When to and How to take a thyroid blood test.
A couple of the companies refer to this blood test as a thyroid ' ultra ' or ' extra ' and it is 10/11 biomarkers and offer a nurse home visit to take the venous blood draw for you , at a surcharge, if you find this the best option for you.
In June my results were
Serum TSH level 1.48 mIU/L [0.27 - 4.2]
Serum free T4 level 16.2 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]
Serum free triiodothyronine level 4.2 pmol/L [3.1 - 6.8]
B12 & D are always good as I supplement agressively
folate was over 20 in Feb and had to be over 3 I supplement with methyl folate
Serum ferritin level 194 ng/mL; Female Ferritin Reference Range 17-60 years: 13-150 ng/mL
So while they aren't new, they aren't very old
I am saving up for blood tests and a consultant appt I nearly have enough
We generally feel best when taking T4 - levothyroxine when the T4 is up in the top quadrant at around 80% through its range with the T3 tracking just behind at around 70% through its range and at around a 1/4 ratio T3/T4 :
So your T4 is at 42% with your T3 at around 30 % - so the next step is a further increase in T4 x 25mcg daily and a further retest after around 6-8 weeks at the increased dose :
Did you show these results to your doctor and request a dose increase in T4 ?
Yes she spoke to the consultant and got a very disappointing reply hang on I'll find it
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Apparently I should never have been prescribed levothyroxine
Well having a quick look back SDragon details that you already had Hashimoto's and EDS - and so I don't know who to believe without losing this thread now -
How can an endo write anything of any substance, value or meaning when they don't even run the necessary thyroid blood tests.
A TSH over 2 suggests hypothyroid symptoms are starting to emerge - and years ago hypothyroidism was diagnosed on a TSH over 3 -
Once on thyroid hormone replacement it's suggested that the TSH is kept under 2 and that very many patients will have a TSH down towards the bottom of the range and where they feel better.
I dont have a diagnosis of either - I think they know me and my symptoms (possibly from mumsnet) over many years looking for a cure I have subclinical hypothyroidism plus what I mentioned above my antibodies were negative
Tbh this seems to be the way my health works, I get symptoms, I fight to get treatments, they help in some way then I get something else which often takes years to diagnoseNov 23Serum TSH level 5.61 mIU/L [0.27 - 4.2]; Above high reference limit
Serum free T4 level 14.5 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]
Sept 22
Serum TSH level 4.10 mIU/L [0.27 - 4.2]
Serum free T4 level 12.3 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]
Nov 21
Serum TSH level 7.00 mIU/L [0.27 - 4.2]; Above high reference limit
Serum free T4 level 14.6 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]
Jun 21
Serum TSH level 2.20 miu/L [0.27 - 4.2]
Serum free T4 level 12.1 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]
Nov 18 (after surgery to remove my ovaries)
Serum TSH level 2.87 miu/L [0.27 - 4.2]
Serum free T4 level 15.0 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]
Feb 18
Serum TSH level 3.18 miu/L [0.27 - 4.2]
Serum free T4 level 14.9 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]
My brother lives in Sweden and has a very different experience, diagnosed with RA more than 20 years ago with careful and progressive treatment - no rheumatoid factor just a high anticcp
I don't know if this reply was for me -
but from what you have described and with these various different blood tests results over the years - it does tend to suggest Hashimoto's Thyroid Auto Immune disease -
Maybe check out this link and see if it makes any sense for you - thyroidpharmacist.com
Ft4 is falsely high as you took Levo before test
Suggest you get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done yourself in another month or so
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
I will as soon as I've worked out which consultant to see
also with EDS and Hashimoto’s are you on gluten free diet
If not it’s always worth trying
I've tried Gluten free 3 times over the years but it's never made a difference
I guess it might now I'm taking meds?
Yes possibly
I had a phone call from the surgery "the Dr would like you to reduce your levothyroxine to 25"
I replied "I'd like to wait 12 weeks and test again, like when I want more levothyroxine and you say no let's check it's permanent by waiting 12 weeks and testing again"
Let's see how that goes down - poor lady expected me just to say yes & was a but flummoxed!! She said "oh I'll tell the Dr what you've said"
Well done and do stand your ground, especially as you took your Levo just before the test.
You can take responsibility for your results refering to the NICE guidelines.
The first paragraph in the NICE (NHS) Thyroid Disease, Assessment and Management guidelines says :
nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145
"Your responsibility”
The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them and their families and carers or guardian. “
Thanks for that link
We haven't addressed taking my meds before the blood test or that I have no hyper symptoms simply hypo symptoms as normal - I'm holding that in reserve for when I speak to the dr
Do I have underactive thyroid?
What should I do about my thyroid test results - is it high?
Finally more thyroid results! Is this Hashi's?
Thyroid help 
Need help understanding my results please anyone..I am new to all this and I feel I may be having the wool pulled over my eyes :(
