Just been diagnosed hypothyroid Doctor said I can't have full blood tests (T3 Thyroid anti-bodies) whilst taking Levothyroxine Is this true?

[Woodhouse]

[Moggie]

I've just had a FT3 and FT4 test whilst on medication as well as a normal TSH test. Have also known people on here to have antibodies tests whilst on meds so something isn't adding up here. Could this be a cost cutting excuse by your GP do you think?

You say you have just been diagnosed but it sounds like you are already on Levo - could you give us a bit more info as its a bit confusing.

Moggie x

[Woodhouse in reply to Moggie]

Thanks Was diagnosed in November and started Levothyroxine end Nov (just 25mg). Saw doc in Jan and given more blood tests. Asked to have full works on thyroid and told me she couldn't do this as had already started on Levothyroxine. My FT4 has gone down versus first blood test but TSH has gone down too. So not sure what that means with regard to medication. Am still feeling totally tired.

[Moggie in reply to Woodhouse]

I think your doc is trying to save money - are you still only on 25mcg's is so thats a very low dose. Could you post your test results, with their ranges, so that people on here can see exactly whats happening.

Moggie x

[Woodhouse in reply to Moggie]

Just seen the doc this morning so here are all my results so far:

14 Nov TSH 4.21 (0.27-4.2), FT4 11.1 (12-22)

9 Jan TSH 0.95 (0.34-5.5), FT4 9.5 (7.5-19.0), total cholesterol 5.5, LDL 3.2, triglycerides 0.7

Am on 0.25mg of Levothyroxine. Feel terrible (absolutely exhausted, dry mouth, aching limbs, feeling cold etc) - probably same if not worse than before I started on the levothyroxine.

Doc is now suggesting doing other blood tests (though NOT thyroid anti-bodies or T3) to see if have glandular fever or whatever. Also sending for ultrasound of thyroid as she said it seems enlarged.

I'm starting to take my temp to see if there are any patterns there - does seem low on waking around 35C.

Quite frankly at a loss as to what to do. I don't really understand the ranges and why they vary so much or why I can't get the full set of thyroid tests. I really can't go on feeling like this - I can bearly function and I have 3 kids and a job to do (at least that is only part time now!).

[Moggie in reply to Woodhouse]

Hi Woodhouse,

So sorry you are feeling so bad but it looks like your doc is a good one and is trying to do his/her best. Its a shame the GP didn't do a FT3 test as well to see what was what but that test would be ruled out due to costs.

Have you ever looked into Hashimoto's, which is what your doc would have picked up if your antibodies were done. Have a look at this link and see if any of the signs and symptoms ring any bells for you.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashi...

As I said, it looks like you have a good GP who is trying her best and that half the battle with this illness - its seems like a huge drop in your TSH levels when you are only on 25mcg's of Levo which again would indicate Hash's. Maybe she wasn't trying to cut costs when she gave you the wrong info regarding not testing when already on thyroid meds, maybe she just doesn't know much about thyroid illness, which is not uncommon with GP's - could gently advise her that through research you have done you have learnt that antibodies CAN be tested when on meds.

I have been a member of this site for well over a year now and have read, on numerous occassions, people in a similar situation to you regarding how ill you feel and how you feel you cant cope much longer but please let me assure you that things can, and do, get better once you are on the correct meds. Just hang on in there a little while longer as once the scan has been done and your GP gets a fuller picture of whats going on hopefully she will know what treatment is best. If she doesn't then it will be up to you to advise her through knowledge that you get from this site by asking questions and reading other peoples questions.

Here's another link to the main thyroiduk website which explains thyroid tests and what they mean. the best way to beat this illness is self education - the more you know the more you can either advise your doc or argue (in a polite way) with her.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Hope this helps and if you need any further info please shout.

Moggie x

[Woodhouse in reply to Moggie]

Thank you. I was wondering about Hashimotos as sometimes I'm OK and then I plummet back down. The GP is lovely and concerned though not sure how knowledgeable on thyroid stuff. Am getting lots of books delivered today and might get private blood tests done if can't get them on the NHS. Thanks for your help.

[Moggie in reply to Woodhouse]

Blood tests that you want done privately can cost a lot less through your own GP believe it or not. Plus a lot of GP's will not always recognise private blood testing if you have them done through a lab that they do not use so, in effect, you have wasted your money.

A girl on here posted ages ago that she had a private FT3 blood test done at her GP and it only cost her £6 whereas if she had used an independent lab it would have been an awful lot more. Not many people know that your own GP will do private testing and the beauty of that is that they then cannot ignore the results.

Next time you ar at your GP's ask her about private testing - I did this with my GP and she relented and did them on the NHS - either way I think it will be cheaper and easier for you than a private lab.

Hope this little tip helps and if you do go down this route I would appreciate some feedback as this helps on advising others.

Moggie x

[galathea]

Of course you can have tests, I have TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 done every year, on the NHS but I have been on thyroid meds for over 25 years.

I had an antibody test about 6 years ago, to confirm that I had hashimotos, but no need to repeat it......

May actually be a blessing if your doctor won't do tests... perhaps he is going to treat you according to symptoms!!!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! (and so on )

[rosetrees]

I started on thyroxine two months ago. I have just been retested and my GP requested T3 and FreeT3. The lab refused to do them as my TSH had reduced. Maybe that's what your doctor means?

[Woodhouse in reply to rosetrees]

I think you are right as my TSH is now within their normal range. Have just seen the doc this morning and pushed her. She did say she would check with the lab to see if they would include the tests next time.