Bloods taken

[CustardTarts]

At last, I had my bloods done today, I asked for the thyroid checks and also ferritin, folate, vitD and B12. My request for an antibody test was refused.

I pointed out to the HCA that my thyroid levels had been rising every time I had a blood test that requested them. She said that thyroid levels increased with age. I've not seen this mentioned in all the messages I have read.

Anyway I'll post the results when I get them, as I've found you all so helpful. Hopefully you will help me interpret them.

[greygoose]

What do you mean by 'thyroid levels' that have been rising? TSH? TSH is not your thyroid. It is a pituitary hormone and it is rising because the pituitary considers there's not enough thyroid hormone in your blood. And, it's probably right. But unless you get the actually thyroid hormone levels checked, you cannot know.

She said that thyroid levels increased with age.

She has no idea what she's talking about! Firstly, as I said, the TSH is not a thyroid level. Secondly, the TSH does rise slightly with age but only by a couple of 0.1 points - it still doesn't go over 2. Thirdly, that is in people with healthy thyroids, not hypos taking thyroid hormone replacement. She's either very ignorant or she's fobbing you off.

[CustardTarts in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your reply, This was my annual diabetes check.

I meant my TSH levels have been rising. Every time I have a blood test its up a bit more. I did put my info on here a few months ago and the response seems to be I am hypothyroid. So this time I specifically requested other things be tested.

In 2014, which is the earliest I started getting my bloods printed off my TSH was 2.31, then everytime since it creeps up a little. Last time was a year ago it was at 4.73. Each time I get told everything satisfactory, no further action.

Be interesting to see what level this one comes back.

[greygoose in reply to CustardTarts]

Well, at 4.73 it was probably still in-range, wasn't it? So, doctors would think it just has to be ok if it's in-range because they do not understand ranges, nor how to interpret blood test results. But, technically, at that level you are hypo, only doctors believe it has to be over 10 before it will cause symptoms! Totally insane, of course, but that's what they've been taught. And then we have this rubbish about 'older' people having higher TSH and they use that as an excuse not to treat 'older' people - any excuse is good enough! If doctors had their way, they wouldn't treat hypo in anybody because a) they don't really believe we need it and b) they are way out of their depth and don't like doing it. Go figure.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Hope your test was early morning for highest TSH

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Graph showing median TSH in healthy population is 1-1.5

web.archive.org/web/2004060...

What were your thyroid antibodies at last test

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)

NHS only tests TG antibodies if TPO are high

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

[CustardTarts in reply to SlowDragon]

My test was 8.57am, as per advice on here. Last test my levels were 4.73, Dr refused to do an antibody test. I've been taking vitD for a while now, due to a deficiency, so having that rechecked. Also requested B12, Folate and ferritin as per advice on here. I think advice also was that VitD depletes magnesium, so I bought some but the capsules are too big to swallow and the contents when tipped out are vile and doesn't dissolve.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to CustardTarts]

so I bought some but the capsules are too big to swallow and the contents when tipped out are vile and doesn't dissolve.

Which ones?

You can chop up finely with a knife ….and then mix with water …..though won’t dissolve

Thorne Magnesium Citramate is a powder in a capsule. Tip out into a small glass water

uk.iherb.com/pr/thorne-magn...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to CustardTarts]

Dr refused to do an antibody test.

Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested?

Randox FULL thyroid test including both thyroid antibodies just £29

Currently has 20% off with code BLACK FRIDAY if order before Dec 2nd

Test at home or in clinic

randoxhealth.com/en-GB/at-h...

[greygoose]

No, I think she made that quite clear!

[CustardTarts]

Agree, I was merely pointing out to her why I had requested the extra blood tests, as this was my annual diabetes check. She seemed to dismiss what I said.

[CustardTarts]

I posted my results last time, that's how I know I am probably underactive. I am soooo tired that I'm barely functioning these days. I do have fybromyalgia, but this is more than that. Gaining weight and don't think I overeat, nor eat much junk food. Treat myself to a takeaway maybe once a month and go out for lunch once a week with a friend, but mostly sensible stuff. I accept that as I'm so tired I don't move around as much as I should so that wouldn't help. I could literally just pop upstairs and go to sleep now.

[CustardTarts]

I've never had an antibody test, that's why I thought it may be helpful. That's a good price. I don't think I could do a finger prick test. I watched a friend do it and they ended up with very sore fingertips and not enough sample to complete the test