Hello,
Could anyone help me interpreting these tests please? I went to the GP with menopausal symptoms but my thyroid results came back as abnormal with a note saying to contact my GP, even though they look within the normal ranges to me? I also have cholesterol of 5 7 despite being a healthy weight and exercising regularly I am 45 if that's relevant!
TSH 1.5 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.2) 31.3%
Free T4 (fT4) 17.3 pmol/L (12 - 22) 53.0%
Triodothyrinin 4.7 (3.1-6.8)
Thank you so much.
Welcome to forum.
Do you have existing thyroid issue / on thyroid hormone replacement?
The advice differs if you are yet to be diagnosed or currently on replacement dose.
If not diagnosed the results would not be considered an issue as well with in “normal” lab range.
If you already take replacement we look a result differently. Often the FT4 needs to be higher in range so FT3 converts to sufficient levels.
Do you remember what time test was taken? Early Morning results can be different to afternoon.
Was anything else tested, such as thyroid antibodies. This will show as TPO or TG antibodies.
I’ve noticed thar drs will note “abnormal - discuss with dr” if any single test in a set of test are abnormal. So it might be a mis-communication & more to do with high cholesterol levels??
Thank yoiufor replying =)
No I've not been diagnosed with anything, bloods were taken at lunchtime.
I presented with all the symptoms of a thyroid problem (which are also menopause symptoms) so maybe that's why it was flagged as abnormal as they want to discuss it further. I didn't fast for the cholesterol test either which I've since read you should.
I should probably just wait until Monday and ring the GP but I'm too impatient!
I don’t think you need to worry about a thyroid issue. I suspect doctor will say everything’s fine with thyroid.
When TSH rises or FT4 & FT3 low it can be a sign of declining thyroid function but yours are ok.
Do you take any supplements? Biotin is included in many supplements & this has potential to interfere with blood tests.
Should be paused 3 days before blood draw.
I didn’t know about fasting for cholesterol blood tests either.
The don't look too bad BUT if your blood draw was around 12 pm, your TSH would have at its lowest. It would have been higher before 9 am - maybe even over 2, which would suggest your thyroid is struggling.
FT3: 4.7 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8) 43.24%
Your FT3 is low-ish and it's possible that your pituitary thinks it's too low. High cholesterol can be a symptom of low T3 (it has nothing to do with weight or exercise).
But I doubt if your GP would know any of that, so I can't imagine why he wants to see you. I would be very interested if you kept us up to date. 
Thank you - my test was at 12.50. I did have some bloods done in 2023 for a routine medical which I seem to recall had to be repeated due to abnormal results but were then fine so maybe that? I felt fine so didn't really pay much attention.
These results refinitely came back as abnormal and were the only three results on the test which is why I am.confused they are abnormal when within the range. The cholesterol was on a separate chemistry one which was also flagged as abnormal. Full blood count and haemoglobin were fine.
I will post again on Monday when I have spoken to the GP and update. These were NHS tests but I have private cover through work so tempted go through them as well and see if I get the same answer!
Just being in-range doesn't automatically make them 'normal'. It's not as simple as that. And the ranges are too wide. But as I said; doctors know so little about thyroid that I'm surprised one would find anything to say about these results. To most doctors eyes they would look perfect.
If you have the possibility to get tested privately, I think it would be a good idea. Make sure you get the tpo and tg antibodies tested, as well.
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 17/11/2024
I'm guessing your thyroid results will be passed off as ok but undoubtedly they'll mention the high cholesterol and try and push statins, the choice is yours of course but please be aware these can often have unpleasant side effects and very little benefit, especially for women.
Well I've just spoken to the receptionist who advised me that my thyroid was fine and I was being called about my cholesterol. I was told to exercise more and amend my diet but as my BMI is 19, I don't smoke and I exercise regularly I have asked them to have a proper look as I don't think that is the issue. I had it checked in the summer and it was only 3.2.
My FSH also came back as 3.3 which is outside the range, although I'm not even sure what that measures or how it all fits in!
All in all not very helpful. I have an appt with a private GP later on (free through work) so I will compare the two.
Thanks to everyone for their advice =)
NorthernCornflake When you say high cholesterol, are you referring to Total Cholesterol? What are your levels (with ranges) for LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides? In my experience, GPs often panic when they see a high Total Cholesterol figure, then breathe a sign of relief when they realise it is mostly as a result of a high HDL figure.
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