Blood tests prior to seeing thyroid consultant please

[Delilahmy]

asking for a friend who is about to see consultant in November

Please could you recommend all bloods that could be done before as want to have up to date levels

History is recently started t4 (2weeks on 50 and reduced to last 7 weeks on 25) … Results tsh 0.49 (0.38 to 5.33)(date 9.10.24) T4 not done at the last test ?

But t4 at time of diagnosis (9.8.24) was 10.5 (range 11.50-22.70)

Symptoms low mood anxiousness extremely tired cold pulse 63

Lightheaded dizzy

Muscle aches

poor concentration

many thanks for any help

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Results tsh 0.49 (0.38 to 5.33)(date 9.10.24) T4 not done at the last test ?

But t4 at time of diagnosis (9.8.24) was 10.5 (range 11.50-22.70)

Well she needs FULL thyroid and vitamin testing….ideally BEFORE consultation otherwise consultation is waste of time

Just testing TSH is useless

Just testing TSH and Ft4 at diagnosis also totally inadequate

Rapid changes in TSH strongly suggest autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s

For full Thyroid evaluation she needs 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

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

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)

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...

suggest she join the forum and add new full thyroid and vitamin test results once she gets them

[Delilahmy in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou for your amazing and comprehensive reply …. I’ll read through this and send it over to my friend …. Thankyou so much for your time too SlowDragon