Update to thyroid results posted 20th October

[jenny876]

Got the ranges for my thyroid results from 20th October

TSH 4.87 (0.27-4.20)

T4 10.8 (12-22)

T3 3.8 (3.1-6.8)

no treatment given - review in 6 weeks.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

So thats one TSH above range (also T4 below range) and you need 2 consecutive results like that 3 months apart on the NHS for diagnosis and treatment.

Be sure to test at 9am or earlier, fasting for highest TSH result. Book appointment in advance to access early appointments.

[Bearo in reply to Jaydee1507]

I thought that a below range FT4 warranted start of treatment? I saved some notes about this, but don’t have any links:

NHS guidelines says: If an underactive thyroid is not treated, it can lead to complications, including heart disease, goitre, pregnancy problems and a life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma (although this is very rare).

need two abnormal tests before treatment starts

If Ft4 was below range he would be obligated to treat

With high TSH, low Ft4 and symptoms he could choose to start treatment

British Thyroid Association: Overt Hypothyroidism is not just a TSH over 10 but can also be under range FT4

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Bearo]

I haven't read the BTA site and can't find where it says about below range FT4 in the NICE guidelines.

From what I have seen, those with below range FT4 and normal TSH usually get referred to an Endocrinologist who doesn't always begin treatment. It can be difficult getting a diagnosis with secondary hypothyroidism but this member does at least have a raised TSH.

[jenny876 in reply to Jaydee1507]

I have been attending nhs endocrine since nov 2019 so 4 years and keep getting diagnosis of subclinical hypo - offered me levothyroxine once because I asked for it - took it on and off for 6 months end of 2022 to jun 23 as was not confident I was doing the right thing.

Now after a private endo appointment and private ultrasound scan I have been diagnosed with hashimotos and still waiting for treatment. I really feel I should have been diagnosed sooner by NHS and given levothyroxine and titrated up in dosage and maybe now |I wouldnt be as bad as I am.

Always have had palpitations but endo always says this is not caused by hypo and I worry about the damage that may have been done to my heart with this going on for so long. Feel really quite angry about it all. Sorry for venting !

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to jenny876]

Ask to restart it if they have already prescribed.

It can take quite some waiting to get started on treatment for some people. They do like to know that your own thyroid isn't about to somehow spurt into action itself.

Now you know you need the treatment then hopefully you will have more confidence taking Levo but it can take many months working up the dose to feel much better.

Have you had all your vitamin levels checked and now supplementing?

The longer you are untreated the worse the low vitamin levels and symptoms from that are.