I recently had bloods done due to low mood (especially around cycle), fatigue, low libido and generally feeling a bit spaced out and just not right.
I have attached my results. I have been put on folic acid due to low folate but 2 months in, I don’t feel it is doing anything. They asked to repeat thyroid function as T4 was on the low side (see attached) which they will do in 3 months.
I will say I take 100mg of Sertraline so I don’t know if this is impacting. I just feel like I have to constantly battle to be heard 😔the GP has said no need to repeat folate as 3 months of the folic acid would resolve. My mum has under active thyroid as does my aunt and presented similarly.
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What time of day was your blood test? Was it 8.18 as it says on the sheet?
Euthyroid people tend to have TSH nearer 1. Your result shows your pituitary is shouting to the thyroid to produce FT4, and the thyroid isn’t producing enough.
Ask them to test antibodies TPO and TgAb.
Hypothyroidism does run in families.
NHS unlikely to test FT3 but it would be useful to know yours as your FT4 is out of range. Randox on Amazon have an offer on, finger prick, or Medichecks or monitor my health.
Your symptoms are definitely linked to this, poor thing. Might be worth asking for a trial of Levo and see what they say. 🌱
thank you for the kind reply; I could cry reading it as I feel as though for years my symptoms have been put down to my OCD and anxiety when actually I have done so much work on these and it does feel physical. I feel dizzy a lot too and almost not in my body if that makes sense.
Weirdly enough I was looking at private tests earlier on medichecks so will give this a go! Yes test was in morning around 8:10. Thank you so much
thank you for the detailed post as it can all be confusing 😔I did have b12 etc checked too and they said within normal range (above) but I will let look at getting the full thyroid check! Thanks
Ferritin on the floor, common in hypothyroidism, this will make you feel dreadful.
Did they run a full iron panel? They should
It would be good to know if you have anaemia or IDWA (iron deficiency without anaemia) which is when iron is normal but ferritin is low both have similar symptoms and similar treatment though ask the doc about this.
If it is IDWA, I recommend Three Arrows heme iron, or add liver/dark green veg to diet twice a week. (Although my ferritin was higher than yours at the start and diet was only partly successful because I have fibroids and heavy bleeding). Are you veggie or vegan?
Thanks so much; I hadn’t even noticed the Ferritin was only 15 - I just read that it was in normal range 😔I’m not veggie/vegan - I probably have meat most days. I don’t think they did a full iron panel although I’m not sure - b12 was tested. I am going to get supplements tomorrow!
update - my thyroid was retested and tsh had increased to 3.8 and t4 up to 11.4 - my GP has said these are now in normal range but I still feel tired/hair coming out etc. Just feels frustrating sometimes and I know I should get private t3 tested but it’s just an expense I could do without.
There are few here who would feel OK with a TSH that high and an FT4,while in reange, that low.
I wouldn't.
Most of us expect a TSH to be under 2, many need it to be under 1, or even lower. And an FT4 at the very least half-way up the range, and likely nearer the top.
This is a link to a very good article in the British Medical Journal discussing what the 'normal range' really is. Very readable.
The normal range: it is not normal and it is not a range
This blog has the abstract of this paper plus link to the original full paper. Also includes some extra links to a video and some other related information.
@helvella thanks for the reply! That article is interesting- thank you for sharing. I think I am a bit unsure really whether if I get private testing whether my gp would treat based on the results as according to them it is ‘normal’. Obviously I don’t want to take medication unnecessarily and I think the fact I have two young children, busy job etc all fits the bill for being ‘exhausted’ too. I’m not sure what my normal is but tsh has been 2.7 a few years back. Definitely increased
I'm afraid your attempt to call out to me didn't work and I have only just noticed!
GPs vary enormously. Some see it positively - you are trying to look after yourself and limiting what you are asking for. Others seem to be upset and refuse to look at private results.
Be careful not to make excuses for a higher TSH. You do not get a raised TSH just because you are busy.
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