Hi All,
Happy New Year to everyone.
Today I've had my Thyroid Function Test results back from my GP, he has diagnosed me with hypothyroidism and has classed it as severe! I've been prescribed 100mg of Levothyroxine.
I don't really understand the results, please can someone explain them to me ... are they as severe as the GP is making out?
Thank you in advance xx
TSH Level
56.50 mu/L (0.27 - 4.20)
FREE T4 Level
6.1 pmol/L (11.0 - 25.0)
hi , basically yes , they are pretty bad .
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is a message to the thyroid gland to ask it to make more /or less thyroid hormone (T4 ), depending on how much is needed at the time.
if the body needs a little bit more T4 , the TSH level rises to 'ask' thyroid to try and make more T4,
but if thyroid can't manage it for some reason (ie thyroid disease) , then T4 level continues to fall and in response the TSH level goes higher and higher ( 'shouting louder' for more)
small changes in T4 level lead to relatively larger changes in TSH level , so in early/ mild thyroid failure the T4 will still be in range ,and TSH will be 5-10 ish , by the time you get below range T4 and TSh of 50 ,,,, there is a significant problem.
( normal TSH level is around 1 ish for the majority of healthy people , anything over 3/4/5 ish usually indicates a problem)
Levothyroxine is replacement T4 .
Thank you to all of you that has replied, I really do appreciate it!
Thank you for all of your advice and helping me understand my results xx
Welcome to the forum Moonstarwales,
Being diagnosed with a thyroid condition is somewhat scary/ daunting. You are in the right place as we are here to help & support. I learned so much by reading posts and asking questions on the forum. Go steady…don’t expect to take in all information at once!
After 6-8 weeks on 100mcg of Levothyroxine, your GP should retest levels. I would also ask for FT3 to be tested alongside TSH and FT4 for a complete picture of your thyroid health. It’s also useful for thyroid antibodies to be tested, to see if your condition is auto immune (AKA Hashimotos). In addition, ask for folate, ferritin, B12 and vitamin D to be tested, as these key vitamins support thyroid health.
I suggest you keep a diary of any adverse symptoms you have experienced prior to treatment/ if these change at all when commencing Levothyroxine. Do share your symptoms/ concerns etc with us- there is a wealth of knowledge on this forum. I, like so many others, have managed to turn my health around by following forum advice.
Thank you to all of you that has replied, I really do appreciate it!
Thank you for all of your advice and helping me understand my results xx
Yes, definitely severe with a high TSH of 56.5 and very low T4 of 6.1. Both out of range. Mine was classed as severe at TSH 37.00. I too was given 100mcg levothyroxine. You must be having some unwanted symptoms due to such results and going for blood test in the first place.
You need to keep a close eye on your progression once you’ve started the levothyroxine. You need to aim for a TSH around 1.00-2.00 (even though around 5.00 is acceptable in the NHS but that’s not right), as that’s where a healthy persons thyroid results would be. Usually then gp will re check your thyroid bloods 3 months after you’ve started levothyroxine. Then see where your levels are and adjust your dose if required.
Please ask your gp to check your vitamin levels D, B12, folate and ferritin also as often thyroid patients have some low vitamins. These vitamins are crucial for wellbeing, don’t ignore them please as they are equally important.
Also check your lipids/cholesterol as cholesterol can be high if not treated correctly with thyroid medications. It might well be high now with a TSH as high as yours.
Thank you to all of you that has replied, I really do appreciate it!
Thank you for all of your advice and helping me understand my results xx
Hello and welcome.
High levels of biotin vit B7 (supplements) can give false blood results. I am probably clutching at straws but there are a few other things that can give false bloods.
I am about 2 years in and forum has helped me lots. Some great advice above, I will try not to repeat. Most find NHS advice poor, I have.
I too am now well.
1. I understand most people are a lot more simple than ones on this forum. Ww are the 10% overall struggle it seems.
Do not let forum scare you .... it is a source of knowledge if you are struggling.
2. 100 mg is a big starter dose, I was about 8 weeks in before I got from 50 to 100 mg. My TSH was higher and T4 lower.(worse)
There are different brands and some fillers are not well suited to some people.
Go back to doctors if things getting worse/new things happening.
3. It is most likely you are autoimmune type as above get them to test, it is only once., it seems say 90 % are (a lot) Your thyroid may be still under attack and releasing bursts of T4 and T3 which can "swing" yourcresults about.
Ask for gluten/celiac blood test too. Many many of us are. Lactose can be an issue too. As above vit D B12 folate a ferritin tests are forums core vitamins. Read some of admin Slowdragons posts
Things are so blooming slow to stabilise.
4. I had all sorts of weird symptoms as my bodies energy was so low. Your body will slowly start working again and repairing.
Fatigue which is so different to just being tired
Low mood, I would burst out crying
A lot of weight dropped off and inflamation reduced
Lots of weird aches and pains.
Feeling cold, I still marvel at my feet being warm again
Eek and the brain fog
See my bio ... click on name.
5. I logged symptoms every day or so then later weekly.
It is all so slow you loose track. Also things to do and when.
Photo of your face ... puffiness should come down
I was a lot better in say 12 weeks but I think I was on the lucky end.
6. I would say in 4 to 6 months do private blood test to get T3 levels. Low T3 can be a reason for struggling. It is about £30 for home test you post off and NHS will rarely do. As your levels may be swinging still likely need to budget for say 3 tests.
7. Let those around you know it will take many months to recover. During repair phase you need to take it very steady to divert energy into convalescing... I hated this part.
Keep away from people who are ill if you can.
Ignore (for a bit) prediabetic or highish cholesterol and I think it was liver function blood tests as these will likely
be ok in time.
Thank you to all of you that has replied, I really do appreciate it!
Thank you for all of your advice and helping me understand my results xx
Welcome to the forum Moonstarwales. You've found a good place here for support and information. 🙂
Firstly, stop panicking or freaking out about your results. Yes, they are rather high but many others have had much higher levels than those at diagnosis. Including me, TSH 120 and T4 3.8
Hopefully you've been made aware to take your Levo on an empty stomach and nothing apart from water for about an hour afterwards?
You may start to feel better fairly quickly, or it may take a while. Don't get disheartened if the latter and assume your Levo isn't working. It will be doing it's job in the background.
You'll need regular blood tests until your levels are stable and your symptoms have disappeared. Make sure to get your vitamin levels checked too. Many people with hypothyroidism are deficient in one or more and need to take supplements.
Ask as many questions as you need to. 🙂
Be aware that when taking levothyroxine, you need to avoid most other medicines, foods, drinks and supplements within, say two hours, or four hours for "metals" like iron or calcium. A vast range of things affect absorption and could reduce your effective dose.
Also, though almost everything refers to taking it first thing in the morning, that is by no means essential. I take mine at bed-time and always have done so.
helvella - Bed-time dosing of levothyroxine
Discussion about taking levothyroxine at bed-time. Several linked references to relevant papers.
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