blood results

[Baileyleigh123]

hi again just had my bloods done and the only results they have is my tsh which is 0.68 (055-4.78 ) range , I was told to put my Levo down to 150 in November and now I’ve just been told to put it back up to 200 mg does this make sense with the tsh level please but thankful for your advice x

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Simple answer is No... I've can't imagine how they came to this decision based purely on TSH which is already below 1 🤷‍♀️ but we wouldn't recommend changing your dose by more than 25mcg every 8 weeks

How are you feeling on your current dose? Worth getting a full thyroid panel done before changing anything else they'll just keep yoyoing you 🫤

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to TiggerMe]

I feel ok but my hair gone thin again plus I’ve been on a healthy eating diet for 5 weeks with plenty of exercise but only lost 2 pounds which is really disheartening but is that tsh showing I need an increase because I don’t understand it x

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Baileyleigh123]

TSH doesn't tell you anything very useful I'm afraid, certainly doesn't suggest you need to increase by 33%!

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to TiggerMe]

Oh well they said increase to 200 and then they’ve booked me in for another blood test in March so god knows lol x

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Clueless! I'd get a test and share the results and we'll make a suggestion based on the facts 🙃you'll never find your sweet spot with their interventions 😳

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

If you're not very careful you're going to be see sawing back and forth with levels.

Have you got the vitamin tests run as per replies here?

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Suggest you get full thyroid testing - TSH, FT4 & FT3 run ASAP. Follow the protocol here:

Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw, last T3 dose 8-12 hours before blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process).

Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Jaydee1507]

They didn’t test any vitamins this time just my cholesterol which has come down from 6.4 to 5.6 but that’s probably because I’ve been eating healthy x

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Baileyleigh123]

To know where you are you can't just go from a TSH result.

Next step - buy private tests.

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Yes but if you get a private test who then prescribes your tablets if you need different dose x

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Baileyleigh123]

If they are changing your prescription to 200mcg you'll have plenty in stock!

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to TiggerMe]

Wasn't it 200mcg that made your eyes bad last time?

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to TiggerMe]

I actually got to the bottom of that finally it was a makeup I was using with alcohol in

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to TiggerMe]

Are you being funny I’m only putting on here what my tsh was I was just looking for a bit of advice I don’t understand it all thought that’s what this site was for

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Baileyleigh123]

I don't understand... funny about what? Or was this not meant for me?

I was pointing out that if you are prescribed 200mcg and find you only actually need 175mcg after testing and trialling you won't have any shortage issue whilst you do this, then you can inform your rather hopeless Dr what it is that you need as he obviously hasn't a clue and get your prescription amended

We can only really be helpful if we have the information to guide us

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to TiggerMe]

No lol there was another comment its gone now but I would just like to know if that tsh level is normal really before I put my medication up

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Ah... didn't see that I expect someone thought better of it or Admin deleted 😅

Generally a TSH of around or just below 1 can suggest you are about right but this needs to be backed up with a full thyroid panel as quite often the feedback loop can get downregulated so TSH isn't telling the full story

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to TiggerMe]

So is 0.68 right x

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Yes... but your fT3&4 might still be low

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to TiggerMe]

They didn’t even test these unless the receptionist couldn’t read it right cos I did ask her what they were and she said it was only tsh there x

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Yep... they don't generally test them, you might get a fT4 if your TSH is out of range but never a fT3!

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to TiggerMe]

I’ve got that cold intolerance again my feet are like ice so thought I might need more and hair gone thin again it’s just a pain x

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Many thyroid patients find they have to become their own health advocates and direct their treatment with their GP or Endo. We can help you with quotes from articles or NICE guidelines. Don't accept what your GP says if you don't agree.

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

Your GP is clueless if they think you need such a massive dose increase

Just testing TSH tells you nothing

ALWAYS get full thyroid testing TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 2-3 months after any dose change or brand change in Levo

Do you always get same brand Levo at each prescription

Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune?

Test vitamin levels at least annually, but more frequently after a dose reduction as this frequently results in lower vitamin levels

Exactly 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

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

Monitor My Health (NHS private test service) offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for that not taking any vitamins at all because I didn’t want anything to interfere with my results been on the same brand of thyroxine for 30 plus years and always take them at morning with water then wait an hour for a coffee x