Is six weeks later too soon to retest TSH? (haven't started treatment yet)

[Lewlew]

My GP offered a levothyroxine trial for subclinical hypothyroidism revealed by medichecks test on 11 December and NHS test on 3 January, but I asked if we could wait and see if the thyroid problem resolved itself once low ferritin is treated, so the GP said I could retest in 3 months. I've changed my mind now and would like to start the trial as soon as possible. If I do the test this week, it would be seven weeks after the last test. If I end up with three elevated TSH results over a ten week period, would that justify treating subclinical hypothyroidism? I have symptoms as well.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Retesting at 6-8 weeks is often suggested.

If GP has offered a Levo trial previously, do you need further TSH tests …could you say you’ve changed your mind about a trial of Levo?

Forum advice re timings of blood draw:

a)complete thyroid blood tests early morning (preferably before 9am)- this will ensure highest TSH (patient to patient tip)

b) drink only water before the blood draw

[Lewlew in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks very much , good to know that 6 to 8 weeks is often suggested as an interval. And thanks for the tip!

[Ontherun81]

Hi LewLew

After my experience of being told I have an erratic thyroid over the last 31 yrs with no treatment only starting Levothyroxine 5yrs ago I'd jump at the chance to start taking it especially if you're already having symptoms. Mine was left far too long. You'll be on a starter dose to let your body adjust so start taking and take the Ferritin too. Then if you wanted you could re test in 3 months to see how your doing. There's lots of advice on here that's way more knowledgeable than me so read everything you can!

Good luck

[Lewlew in reply to Ontherun81]

That's a long time to be fobbed off. Did you start feeling better after starting Levothyroxine or did it take a while to get it to the right dose?

I originally hesitated to start Levothyroxine because I assumed that treating the iron deficiency, caused by longstanding gynae issues) would sort this. Back in 2013 my TSH was elevated but went back down to 3.12 after 3 months of iron tablets so it wasn't pursued any further. But now it looks like I've got a fatty liver and I'm worried that hypothyroidism has contributed to that.

[Ontherun81 in reply to Lewlew]

On the starter dose I didn't improve but although I was taking vitamins etc that didn't make any difference for me as it was still climbing, I had a couple of thyroid nodules too and sounded like a pubescent boy! Every symptom going but once upped to 75mg I started to feel better. Then sadly as the symptoms took hold again I went to 100mg then it was discovered my thyroid has atrophied and levels up again. So I was put on 125mg. After recent tests which I will be posting on here it doesn't look like I'm a good converter anymore and need T3 too but can't afford to buy privately. The registrar I saw in October claimed the 'in range' but I'm not the levels done recently by Blue Horizon are off the scale. But as the NHS looks unlikely to prescribe T3 I'm not sure what's next. I've just moved house so I need to do Folate & Ferritin again. Then I'll post, however I've had to change the Dr's as I think they want rid because it looks like T3 only option.

😬

[Lewlew]

Really hope you can obtain T3 in some way - best of luck!