Help interpreting results: Hi everyone, I... - Thyroid UK

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Help interpreting results

Pastapants profile image
14 Replies

Hi everyone,

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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Pastapants
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14 Replies
Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador

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. 🌱

Pastapants profile image
Pastapants in reply toRegenallotment

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

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAmbassador

I would definitely get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing including BOTH TPO and TG thyroid antibodies

you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if autoimmune

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

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

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

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...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Pastapants profile image
Pastapants

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

Na
Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply toPastapants

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?

Pastapants profile image
Pastapants in reply toRegenallotment

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!

Pastapants profile image
Pastapants

these are the others I had

Also had these but unsure what they all are!
Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply toPastapants

TiggerMe knows about these I think, tagging to get help 😊

Pastapants profile image
Pastapants

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.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toPastapants

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.

Last updated 17/11/2024

helvella.blogspot.com/p/the...

Pastapants profile image
Pastapants

@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

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toPastapants

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. :-)

helvella - How to "mention" or "callout"

Having read a post or reply, I've noticed that you might wish to alert other members to your post or reply. For example, you might have said so, or asked how to do so, or tried but it has not worked.

This is an explanation and screen recording showing how to callout members in posts and/or replies so they get alerted.

This is not to say you have done anything wrong. This is meant to help you by pointing out this option, and help to do so, not to criticise.

There is no need to reply! If it was helpful, ticking the "Like" button lets me know.

Last updated 12/12/2024

Link to blog:

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

st222 profile image
st222

You have PMS/ PMDD

be careful with folic acid

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply tost222

st222, Your comment doesn't seem to be relevant to the discussion thread you've posted on. Can you expand on why you have said this please?

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