never posted before so I may have done it wrong 🙈
would someone mind giving me some info on my re... - Thyroid UK
would someone mind giving me some info on my results please, I’ve been told that my thyroid is fine but I’m sure this suggests otherwise x
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2479razooks
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You've done fine. They tend to only diagnose if TSH is over 10 or fT4 low. I think this silly because in your case your fT3 is low normal also. The combined effects of low normal fT3 and fT4 are enough to may you somewhat hypo I think.More information on your symptoms and how long you have been like this would be helpful.
I’ve been feeling different for about a year, weight gain I can’t lose, tired, just not myself, I just keep getting told it’s my age! Someone recommended a private test, which I’ve done but my doctors won’t except it and say I’m falling into the normal levels, I just don’t really understand any of it x
Well you've aged a lot over the past year, a whole 365 days. Blaming it on age is nonsense, your GP has aged exactly the same amount as you (although special relativity tells us that time slows in dense objects).
Your private test is done by an NHS laboratory, your TSH is not normal. Is there another doctor at the surgery you can go to? If you get another appointment take someone with you for support if you can, it makes a difference.
Have you had your Pituitary gland scanned as well? They are so closely connected.
I was supposed to have my pituitary checked but the endocrinologist lied about doing it, he just wanted to stop my liothyronine. I've submitted a complaint to the GMC, they rejected it with dishonest replies so I've submitted an appeal.
You have my empathy. It took 4 years of feeling increasingly unwell with many thyroid symptoms, "normal" blood test results, two NHS endocrinologists ( one a professor), both diabetes specialists and not thyroid specialists, who dismissed those same symptoms, before I finally asked my GP if it wasn't my thyroid, what then did he think was the matter with me. His answer was that they were convinced I was hypothyroid, and he offered me a trial of levothyroxine.
Have you checked the Thyroid Uk website where there is a list of the symptoms?
I can only suggest you know how you feel, you know which symptoms you have, and you are living in your body. Your "normal" blood results may be similar to mine..... and they may not be adequate for you to feel well.
Jaydee1507Administrator
Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start. Fill out the free text box at the top.
Have you had tests on the NHS? This one you just had done should count as NHS as MMH is an NHS lab.
You need a TSH of over 10 or 2 TSH results over range 3 months apart on the NHS to get a diagnosis and begin treatment.
Can you tell us a little of your hstory and why you took this test? Presumably you haven't been feeling well.
When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins.
Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...
There is also a new company offering walk in& mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...
Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.
Do you know if you had positive thyroid antibodies? Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test.
Thank you for welcoming me. I have been on Thyroxine for at least 15 years.
My story is that about ten years ago I went to my doctor because I was sleeping most of the day as well as the night and was tired all the time. She said to me "You are over 70 now, you must slow down" and that was it. I told her three times something was wrong, on the final visit I said "I can't read now" so she sent me to specsavers. It was Specsavers that sent me to the hospital on fast track for a head scan. The scan showed a pituitary tumour the size of a walnut pressing on my optic nerve! My doctor rang me the next morning saying "We have discovered what is wrong with you". WE! she had done nothing useful. Then she recommended a pill to shrink the tumour which was useful, so I can read again but am still much too tired most days of the week. Surprisingly and mysteriously I have two brilliant days a week when I hardly want to sleep and I get lots done. I wake up and immediately want to get up and I feel good as I walk to the kitchen to get breakfast. These two days are like my old life back. NOTE. I was put on Thyroxine a few years before the tumour was discovered. Also an iridologist said she didn't think I had thyroid problems - interestingly. I now know the two glands are very closely linked. I have had tests for PROLACTIN , TSH and T4 since the tumour was discovered. I also am always a bit anaemic and am on iron pills at the moment along with various vitamins, supplements, and painkillers daily for severe osteoarthritis.
Hope that is interesting and useful in some way??
NB.
All on the NHS so far.
I am already on acid reducing meds as I have a hernia. Lansoprazole.
I eat a salad of raw veg every day with at least 8 varieties in it but it is the raw cabbage that I am addicted to through the winter months particularly. I include pickled beetroot and Kefir too. I eat meat 3 times a week. I have been told I don't eat enough protein and have bought hemp powder to add to dishes.
daily vitamins. B complex, vit D3 and vit C. Also glucosamine. 4 to 6 paracetamol a day for painful arthritis, 2 codeine on days out, pregabalin for nerve pain in my toes, the doctor said it didn't need a steroid injection [I had one another time which was wonderful relief]. I take any pills my doctors give me to make each day bearable, but the vitamins are my choice.
JMK3 perhaps you aren't aware that there is some confusion going on here as you are replying as if this were your post.
Do start your own post if you would like some personalised recommendations. Go to the main page and top right you will see a button that says 'Write'. pressing this you can begin to rite your situation, latest results etc
I can only assume you're on a small amount of Levo as your results suggest you are still hypothyroid.
Some doctors can be very conservative with treatment but thats not a reason to keep you hypothyroid whilst on Levo!
There is a formula to work out a very approximate final dose that you will require.
weight in kilos x 1.6 = approx final dose
As thyroid patients we need to become our own health advocates to be able to feel well. Have a read around this group to learn a little and see that others are in a similar situation. This might give you the confidence to challenge your GP and be able to push for a dose increase. Likely you will need several dose increases.
Sometimes asking for a trial increase can work better. Try different GPs at the same practice. Your TSH is over the top of the range so you need quite a bit more Levo but in stages.
Get a dose increase, retest in 6-8 weeks, assess results, increase, rinse and repeat.
Raising vitamin levels to OPTIMAL is also essential. Ask GP to test your levels which will almost certainly be very low if not deficient from being so hypo for so long.
note jaydee ... think there is some confusion / piggy-back posting
JMK3 is not the Original Poster ,
blood results showing high TSH are from O.P. 2479razooks
SlowDragonAdministrator
was this test done early morning
This gives highest TSH (all most medics look at )
TSH over 5 and symptoms is abnormal
Politely insist on another test in 6-8 weeks time including thyroid antibodies and vitamin levels
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and 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
Post all about what time of day to test
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Testing options and includes money off codes for private 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...
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...
Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test
support.medichecks.com/hc/e...
Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee
Starting levothyroxine - flow chart
gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...
Graph showing median TSH in healthy population is 1-1.5
If you have symptoms, I think you can ask for a trial with these results.Ask if the doctor will check for thyroid antibodies
a healthy TSH is between 1-2. Yours is way too high and your T3 is too low. It should be between 6-7. Get your TPO antibodies checked and stop eating gluten and diary.
“…stop eating gluten and dairy”
That’s likely to do more harm than good… you can’t just cut stuff like that from your diet unless there is a need for it. The effects (certainly on me) of such a drastic change in diet would leave me utterly bereft! Cutting these things out has to be done properly and in a controlled manner to establish which, if any, are going to be of benefit to you.
I did trial both of these options (one at a time) and never derived any benefits from them and so can, quite happily continue to indulge in both!
The protein in gluten is very similar to the protein in the thyroid gland. With a TSH as high as 6, it’s an indicator of autoimmune acquired Hashimotos (TPO blood test can confirm that). Everyone with autoimmune, including Hashimotos has leaky gut. Leaky gut means gluten and diary proteins with its small protein penetrates the lining of the gut wall and enters the blood stream and the body tries to attack it and the thyroid . For most people with Hashimotos going gluten and diary free reduces antibodies and the inflammation and fatigue.
Did neither for me!
Sydneygirl37, 'Everyone with autoimmune, including Hashimotos has leaky gut.'
You are doing exactly what our doctors do, which is to lump everyone into the same category and treat all exactly the same. You do not even know for sure that the OP has autoimmune thyroid disease, as there are no antibody results posted. So insisting that a gluten and dairy free diet must be started immediately is absolutely out of order.
Omg, overreact why don’t you. I said get your TPO antibodies tested to confirm it is Hashimotos then avoid gluten and diary and see if it helps with fatigue.
This is a new member who hasn't even been diagnosed yet, and knows little about thyroid issues. Your reply comes across as somewhat scary, and is not supportive.
Sydneygirl37 'With a TSH as high as 6, it’s an indicator of autoimmune acquired Hashimotos (TPO blood test can confirm that). '
This is incorrect. A high TSH is, potentially, and indicator of inability of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient thyroid hormone. Autoimmune/Hashimotos is not the sole cause for a poorly functioning thyroid gland.
Fair enough. But the next steps a GP would take would be a full thyroid panel based on those results which include TPO and TGAB, and thyroid scan. And if nothing comes up, then it’s a continuation of the investigation looking at other blood tests.
Sydneygirl37 'the next steps a GP would take would be a full thyroid panel based on those results which include TPO and TGAB, and thyroid scan. '
The next steps a GP would take is very much dependent on the where in the world you are, and the decision of the individual GP. What you have quoted here, is not how it works here in the UK, under the NHS.
Ok sure. For me personally, I pushed for the above with my GP in London. Or you can go around the GP and order your own blood tests. Happy now?
Removing gluten from the diet is likely a poor choice if the person might need or want a coeliac test. It is necessary to be consuming gluten for some time before a coeliac test.
Must be awful to have given up gluten, quite possibly felt much better, then be told they will never get diagnosed unless they start consuming gluten again for a considerable period. (From memory it is weeks.) A diagnosis can be important. But the suffering required to get that might seem too much to bear.
Would often be better to get tested as soon as possible, while still consuming gluten, rather than have to return to gluten after a break. Some who have had a break reported feeling worse than ever when they had to resume gluten consumption to get diagnosed.
I’ve had a gluten test and it was all fine x
Glad to read that. 
With a TSH as high as 6, it’s an indicator of autoimmune acquired Hashimotos
No it's not. It's an indication of hypothyroidism, which can be caused by many things. Hashi's isn't the only cause.
Neither gluten-free nor dairy-free did anything for me. Good thing to try, but not both at the same time.
And, what is the point of reducing antibodies? They're not destroying the thyroid, they're cleaning the blood after an attack on the thyroid by the lymphocytes from the immune system. Reducing antibodies won't help - if it's even possible, which I have my doubts about.
that’s your personal perception and emotional reaction, doesn’t make it so. I said twice test for TPO to confirm. And the dietary comment is a SUGGESTION not an order.
Your age! Seriously? You are 41 for heaven's sake. I'll let others give you more nuanced advice. Your TSH is over the benchmark so you're within rights to question this response.
Hi I had symptoms around 6 months and am fortunate I’ve got a good Dr as I explained my symptoms and my blood test was TSH 5 and FT4 was 10! I was listened to by her although the Endo she wrote to gave her a telling off for not doing x2 tests! List all your symptoms and even quite a few NICE guidelines if you can. Good luck 🤞❤️
Biotin (vitamin b7) at high levels distorts blood test results ... Worth checking any supplements you are on.
helvella - Biotin supplementation and testing
A short article about how and why biotin can affect blood tests. Includes information about how to avoid any problems.
i had worsening symptoms for 4 yrs ... then (when they finally thought to test thyroid)
I had TSH 5.7 and when retested a couple of months later it was 6.8 [0.36-4.1]
( TotalT4 was in range but was at the lower end and getting lower )
The autoimmune cause was identified by testing TPOab (Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies) which were extremely high 2499 then >3000 [0-50] ....(the NHS don't usually test TPOab twice but i think they were just double checking the first result)
So I was prescribed Levo with TSH 6.8 ~ based on symptoms and clear evidence of autoimmune cause.
That was many yrs ago, but current NHS guidelines say treatment with levo 'can be considered' for patients with symptoms of hypothyroidism if there are "two TSH results over range but under 10" (taken 3 months apart, to rule out temporary issues)
here : nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145/...
(TSH over range, while fT4 is still within range is classed as 'sub-clinical hypothyroidism')
1.5 Managing and monitoring subclinical hypothyroidism
Tests for people with confirmed subclinical hypothyroidism
Adults
1.5.1Consider measuring TPOAbs for adults with TSH levels above the reference range, but do not repeat TPOAbs testing.
Treating subclinical hypothyroidism
1.5.2When discussing whether or not to start treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism, take into account features that might suggest underlying thyroid disease, such as symptoms of hypothyroidism, previous radioactive iodine treatment or thyroid surgery, or raised levels of thyroid autoantibodies.
Adults
1.5.3Consider levothyroxine for adults with subclinical hypothyroidism who have a TSH of 10 mlU/litre or higher on 2 separate occasions 3 months apart. Follow the recommendations in section 1.4 on follow-up and monitoring of hypothyroidism.
1.5.4Consider a 6-month trial of levothyroxine for adults under 65 with subclinical hypothyroidism who have:
a TSH above the reference range but lower than 10 mlU/litre on 2 separate occasions 3 months apart, and
symptoms of hypothyroidism.
If symptoms do not improve after starting levothyroxine, re-measure TSH and if the level remains raised, adjust the dose. If symptoms persist when serum TSH is within the reference range, consider stopping levothyroxine and follow the recommendations on monitoring untreated subclinical hypothyroidism and monitoring after stopping treatment.
Razcooks sorry for waffling on your post.
I am a bit nervous putting this in a fresh post before bouncing off
@Helvella thankyou for sharing, I had not read your info for a while.300 mg is quite a large biotin dose they are not worried about affecting tests. Dilema.
I will have to read a bit deeper/more carefully before changing my habits but this could potentially make blood tests simpler.
It has been a struggle for me.
I missed b12 for weeks last year stopping my bcomplex to do tests. I would have planned a Monday blood test then work meant I had to travel first thing ... aahh. Then it was Christmas post and I could not find my levels for ages. Aaahhh
igenneus super b complex methylated has 300 mg biotin which paper says is just about ok.
I did have a weird/outlier result on my first ever private blood test when on biotin but it was only a few months into taking levo. Things are likely to be settling then and not yet steady. Makes you wonder about test designs
The complexity of dealing with thyroid testing was a big stress at the start when your brain fogged and fatigued. (getting enough blood) Simplification like this would be significant.
Hmmm. A personal trial of doing 2 tests a week apart, the second after stopping biotin ?
Not greatest test design but about £30 as I am due tests ....
+
my blood
My supplements
My free thyroid levels
-
1 data point, 3 tests a lot more significant, I seem to remember from experiment designs
TUK test 9am test time, fasting no levo, no t3 for is it 12 hours.
I've had a virus and have a theory my thyroid levels have wobbled, may be wait a few weeks.
Makes you think about how hard it is to get good data.
What about a TUK wider trial?
Where would it sit on TUK priority list? Bet they could get special discount on tests ?
The replies here have got a bit muddled. So razooks, yes, your TSH is high, the NHS will make you wait three months to test again. If the TSH is still high, you should be started on Levothyroxine. I know the wait seems forever, especially as you are feeling ill, so in the meantime have a private test for vitamins, iron etc. If any of these are out of range, it can make you feel really ill, and you have the three months to treat yourself. Good vit levels are vital to support your thyroid.
Keep reading on here, finding this forum literally saved my life. The more knowledge you have about the thyroid, the better, and we will support you going forward. Sending a hug.
They really have all got confused poor Razooks !
what are your TPO results like ? X
163? I think
On your results it should state what is the range but that sounds high to me .
Some others on here will probably know more than me though .
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