Blood results

[Nzzq5x]

Hi, could someone please help me understand my latest blood results, I’ve been on Levo for 7 weeks now!

Thanks

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Welcome aboard

So these results show that you are ready for a 25mcg increase in your levothyroxine dose as you are aiming to bring your TSH down to around 1 and fT4 up to around 70%, your GP should arrange for another blood test 6-8 weeks after dose increase to see if further increases or adjustment is required

TSH 11 mIU/L (0.55 - 4.78) 247.0%

Free T4 (fT4) 15.5 pmol/L (9.7 - 24.7) 38.7%

Has your GP run any tests on folate, ferritin, B12 and Vit D which are all important?

[Nzzq5x in reply to TiggerMe]

I’ve had not other tests yet!

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Nzzq5x]

These results are from a month ago, did they increase your dose after this? When they next retest it would be worth requesting the other tests

[Nzzq5x in reply to TiggerMe]

These results are from 18th Dec, Nov is an error, my first bloods were oct and both were out of range, this is the first bloods I’ve had since being on Levo!

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Nzzq5x]

Ah sorry saw this and assumed... so have they increased your dose?

the spelling got me

[Nzzq5x in reply to TiggerMe]

Not yet, I’m hoping to hear from the doctor tomorrow, they are discussing with the internal pharmacist as to next steps.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Nzzq5x]

So starting you on 100mcg is a bold step, have you tolerated this well? You should absolutely expect a 25mcg increase which is the most you should increase by from here on and then smaller increases or decreases once you get near to your sweet spot

[Nzzq5x in reply to TiggerMe]

When the doc initially phoned me, he did say my levels were seriously dangerously low, hence the high dosage, apart from the weight gain, tiredness and achy body, I’ve been fine, I put it all down to the menopause!

Thanks for responding!

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Nzzq5x]

That's good then as some would really struggle, are you also taking HRT as with such low thyroid levels I expect your sex hormones will have all but disappear too... worth suggesting they check them

Lots of crossover symptoms 😬

[Nzzq5x in reply to TiggerMe]

No, not taking HRT yet, I don’t feel I need them yet!

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Nzzq5x]

If the achy joints persist then I'd suggest you probably would benefit from it, better for heart and bones to start supporting earlier on a lower dose before things really crash

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to Nzzq5x]

what were your results BEFORE starting on Levo

Which brand of Levo are you taking for your 50mcg dose

Was this test done early morning and last dose Levo 24 hours before test

With TSH substantially over 3 you are ready for next increase in dose Levo to 75mcg daily

Retest again in a further 6-8 weeks

Meanwhile you need thyroid antibodies and vitamin levels tested

Request GP test both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum especially at start of treatment

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)

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

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

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

What vitamin supplements are you taking

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...

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

[Nzzq5x in reply to SlowDragon]

I was started on 100mcg of Levo.

I’ve had a neck scan and the glad is swollen.

These were my original results in Oct

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to Nzzq5x]

TSH is reducing nicely

May drop further even on this dose

Free T4 (fT4) 15.5 pmol/L (9.7 - 24.7) 

Ft4 38.7% through range

was test done as recommended, early morning and last dose levothyroxine approx 24 hours before test

Which brand of levothyroxine are you taking

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

Guidelines on eventual dose Levo is approx 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight per day

So GP needs to test thyroid antibodies to see if cause is autoimmune, which is highly likely

And get vitamin levels tested too