Hello. My name is Adrian and I'm looking for help and advice. I'm currently being monitored for sub-clinical hypothyroidism. My blood test in February 2025 had the following readings.Serum TSH 6.48
Serum free T4 14.3
April 2025
Serum TSH 6.36
Serum Free T4 15.0.
I have to have another blood test in 3 months.
I currently don't take any medication for my health.
I'm just checking if there is anything I can do to lower my TSH level to avoid medication or is it inevitable that it will continue to rise?
Thanks
Adrian
Written by
squashabe
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In days before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70
Low vitamin levels are extremely common with low thyroid hormone levels
Can be chicken and egg…..low vitamin levels lead to low thyroid levels
Low thyroid levels result in even lower vitamin levels
Hello and thanks very much for your detailed reply and links. The test in February was in the afternoon and the one in April was at 9:20 in the morning. The only symptoms I have is that I sometimes feel the cold, but I thought that was down to having little body fat. I don't think there is any family history of autoimmune disease and I don't take vitamins.
I exercise regularly and I think that I eat a good diet, but I was stopped from giving blood once due to a low iron level. I don't give blood now. I'll do what you suggest and go for Thyroid and vitamin testing.
I've been looking into taking vitamins and I understand that B12 may be worth taking, but I suppose I should wait until I have the above tests.
GP could have started you on levothyroxine after 2 tests with TSH over 5 and they definitely should have tested thyroid antibodies and vitamin levels in April
Always test FIRST before starting any vitamin supplements
It is good that you currently don't have any symptoms, although feeling cold can be related to the low thyroid hormones, as your body literally has less 'fuel'; thyroid hormones are the key element for your metabolism.
Also, even though you don't seem to have many symptoms at present, please bear in mind that thyroid hormones are involved in many processes in our body and if levels are too low for too long, this can lead to further imbalances.
For example, thyroid hormones are involved in immunity, so low hormones could lead to more frequent infections. They are also involved in the processing of lipids and glucose, so if you have less thyroid hormones available, cholesterol and glucose levels can rise, as the liver will struggle to process these dietary components. And last but not least, thyroid hormones regulate the production of serotonin and noradrenaline in your brain, and if levels of these neurotransmitters are too low, you could experience anxiety or depression.
Even though you still feel okay at present (which is great), this may not stay this way and why you should be investigated further so you can correct your low thyroid hormone levels to prevent further damage.
Hello and thanks for your message. I will arrange for Thyroid and Vitamin testing and try to get to the bottom of why my TSH reading is high. I've looked at the symptoms that can be expected with a high reading and the coldness appears to be the only obvious symptom that I have. My last cholesterol reading was 4.8 and 4.5 before that. Blood pressure was 144/80 and 142/80 in January. I don't take any medication and I would prefer not to, but if it's the only way to control my Thyroid, then so be it.
RTo answer the point about prevention, there does not seem to be a way of changing your lifestyle or adding supplements that stops this disease.
If the cause is autoimmune (you find out by testing thyroid antibodies), there will not be an accepted cure or treatment (by g.p.s especially).
Some say that Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) damps down the immune response. But you would not find a g.p. who knows about it or would prescribe, so you would need to pay private consultation and prescription charges. The result is uncertain too, it may help or may not.
There is a US thyroid FB group that claims people who are being treated for thyroid disease can stop taking it, but I thought it was fake so paid no attention
The chances are you have a progressive illness that will require lifelong treatment, which if you are very lucky the NHS may do ok by, if not come back here...
Thanks very much for your message and advice.I'm afraid that my squash days are over due to a damaged knee, but it doesn't stop me swimming and going to the gym.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Postpartum sub clinical hypothyroidism- advice! 
Help me to understand what my results mean...please
Underactive to over active thyroid
Advice on latest results 
