Undiagnosed Test Results

[Brumbris]

I have struggled with symptoms consistent with hypothyroidism for 10+ years. I have been tested for it with the GP it a number of times and have been told I am borderline but no treatment was necessary.

Over the last 1/2 years the symptoms have gotten much worse and affect my day to day life. The symptoms include;

- [ ] Tiredness

- [ ] Weight gain/struggle to lose it

- [ ] Low mood/mood changes/easily irritable

- [ ] Severe loss of libido

- [ ] Headaches

- [ ] Poor memory/brain fog

- [ ] Muscle aches and weakness. Noticed recently grip strength is bad

- [ ] Irregular periods

- [ ] Low iron

- [ ] Psoriasis

- [ ] Easy bruising

I paid for a private blood testing thyroid levels and got the following results:

TSH: 4.02mu/L

T4: 13.8 pmol/L

T3: 4.4pmol/L

These are within the ‘normal’ range. And the ranges used by my NHS trust (Bristol) are particularly high however the TSH is on the higher end or normal and T4 on the lower end.

Just wondering if anyone has experienced their results being in the ‘normal’ range but still experiencing significant symptoms and how this went with approaching the GP/treatment for the symptoms?

[helvella Administrator]

I strongly urge you to read the blog/paper linked below.

Please add the actual reference intervals (ranges) - TSH tends to have a fairly consistent range but FT4 and FT3 can vary quite a lot.

Few feel good with a TSH that high. I wouldn't expect a GP to prescribe on the basis of one test at that sort of TSH level, but if repeated, and accompanied by symptoms, I'd consider it reasonable to to do.

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 03/10/2024

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

[Brumbris in reply to helvella]

Thank you for your reply. I will certainly read through the blog.

I have attached my results which were through Monitor my Health.

The reference ranges for North Bristol are;

“new reference range for FT4 from 10/05/24: TSH: 0.38 -5.33 mU/L, Free T4 8.0 – 18.0 pmol/L, Free T3: 3.8 – 6.0 pmol/L. ”

I also had my TPO tested and had a result of <9IU/mL

Results

[helvella Administrator in reply to Brumbris]

You might find it helpful to get an impression of "how far through the range" your results are. We have a couple of calculators for doing this:

Thyroid Test Results Calculators

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

please add ranges on these results

TSH over 3 suggests your thyroid is struggling

Request GP retest INCLUDING thyroid antibodies and vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

Psoriasis suggests autoimmune thyroid disease likely

How old are you

Peri menopause?

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

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is 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

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

What vitamin supplements are you taking ….if any

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...

[Brumbris in reply to SlowDragon]

Please see my reply above for my results/ranges

I am a 27 year old woman so feel as though feeling like this is really not normal for my age

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Brumbris]

Clearly thyroid is struggling

Next step get FULL thyroid including BOTH thyroid antibodies and vitamin levels tested

Are you vegetarian or vegan?

Lactose/dairy or gluten intolerance?

[Brumbris in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I think I will need to push for this when I eventually get a GP appt.

I am not vegan/veggie and have no food intolerances. I would say I eat a well balanced diet and exercise fairly regularly

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Brumbris]

Very unlikely GP will test ….but always worth asking

Full iron panel including ferritin

B12 and folate

Vitamin D

TPO and TG thyroid antibodies for autoimmune hypothyroid disease