Could someone please help me to understand my blood test results - concerned about cholesterol and thyroid

[itsahealthone]

I had a range of blood tests done and I am unsure as to how to read the results (despite lots of googling!).

If there is anyone here who could explain both the cholesterol result and the thyroid result for me that would be immensely helpful. And if there is anything else to note in the results then I would gladly hear about that too!

TIA

OP, you need to research central hypothyroidism. If you want to feel better you need to get proactive.

NHS care of thyroid disease is very basic with very few experts in the field.

A normal TSH and abnormal or 'low normal' T4 can indicate central hypothyroidism.

High cholesterol is also a symptom of hypothyroidism.

If my T4 were that low I'd be bedbound.

Your ferritin is dire; that will be making you feel tired too. 30 and below indicated you are deficient according to WHO.

Another vote for health unlocked; loads of knowledgeable contributors and paper led research.

Good luck.

Except that you have depression and are on antidepressants.

Not a medic. But you can see that your cholesterol is slightly higher than the ideal range, so obviously there is no life threatening cholesterol issue that cannot wait until Tuesday. I cant see the thyroid results on here as some is a bit blurry, but again a thyroid problem is really not going to be something that cannot wait until you can does to somebody.

In the last 12 months I have started medication for both underctive thyroid and to manage cholesterol levels, obviously both are necessary for me but at no point did I think it was critical I started this medication same day.

All chronic conditions can change, it's definitely possible for a long-standing condition to start effecting you with new symptoms. Sorry to read you're living with Depression. Depression is a total grinder & antiDs do something but not much. Are you receiving talking therapy as well?

Amazing the number of medical questions that get asked on here. As if trained Drs will come on and spend their free time answering them. Why would they do that? How can one know if they are who they purport to be? It is actually frowned upon by the GMC.

Yes but people with similar conditions may be very familiar with blood test results so can be reassuring

Only one person that I can see has actually said they are a medic. I recognised the OPs blood test results as similar to mine so mentioned central hypothyroidism which isn’t very well known. My GP had never heard of it.

If you have queries why are you not asking professional people such as your doctor ? for goodness sake

Because she’s very anxious, it’s the weekend and she’s said she can’t speak to anyone medical until Tuesday.

Have some compassion.

Since when does high cholesterol cause exhaustion? DH's cholesterol is 7.5 (7.3 after fasting). Ok fair enough, he does fall asleep on sofa late afternoons quite often... after being up at 5am & going for a 200 km bike ride.

I had blood test recently, "only thing" on my blood test to flag was borderline low thyroid. I laughed. I'm trim even though I eat like a pig, full of energy, never constipated...

Nothing in OP's blood tests to explain extreme fatigue.

Results slightly outside normal range - would usually retest in 4-6 weeks - then assess to see if results were part of a trend or one off outliers. But obviously book appt with GP to discuss (and send copy to GP for their records).

If it was serious they would’ve asked to contact them

Keeping a track of your health through private testing will become more common as the prices come down, its a good thing, especially since doctors appointments are like hens teeth

Your ferritin level is low, still just about within normal range but low enough to potentially cause symptoms - every body is different though so it's hard to know whether this is causing your fatigue. I'd take an iron supplement for 4 weeks and see if that helps - no longer, though, without medical supervision as it can make you constipated and upset your tummy.

If the iron supplement helps, go to your GP with your blood test results and explain you've been taking iron supplements and feel a lot better, they'll advise on dose etc going forwards.

If you went to the GP now with those results you'd not be prescribed iron as you're just within the cutoff for 'normal'.

Re: thyroid, as PPs have said you should see your GP about it, it's a complex area and very patient-specific. It's not possible to diagnose you over the internet based on those test results.

Your cholesterol numbers are borderline high, but given your age and ratio you're very likely fine - talk to your GP who should be able to put your mind at rest.

I don’t agree that it’s a good thing - it just creates work for the NHS when people get anxious about the results. Taking up more of those “hens teeth”.

I was going to mention the ferritin too. Ideally needs to be much higher, around halfway through the range if possible. GPs don't care about it unless it goes out of range, but low ferritin can cause a whole host of problems including fatigue and also hair loss (I suffered with both).

I took supplements and eventually managed to raise mine.

Private blood tests are a good thing in my view. I’d been going to see my GP for 7 years suffering from utter exhaustion, hair loss, palpitations etc and was repeatedly fobbed off with ‘there’s nothing wrong with you’. Had private bloods done which found under range ferritin, Vitamin D deficiency, very low B12 and central hypothyroidism. My GP would happily have left me barely functioning for all eternity. I now buy everything I need online and, apart from HRT which she spouted a load of nonsense about, I no longer involve my GP in my health at all. I feel much better now.

Your Thyroid is fine. They won't medicate you for that, but might recall you for another test in 6 months. Your cholesterol is raised and you could try cutting back on foods with high cholesterol such as cheese. Try to lower it below 5. You can buy little yoghurt with plant stenils to lower cholesterol naturally. I would try this first.

I will do some research on this tonight - thank you.

I am concerned about a possible link between antidepressants and an underachieve thyroid as I read something about this online. So I think perhaps I should begin to slowly wean myself off Anti-Ds. But will do more research first / speak to my doctor.

Will also have a look at health unlocked, I appreciate the recommendation.

Yes, but there's really no need to be a pedant is there? As I have mentioned that now.

Also depressive symptoms can be caused by thyroid issues, so there is no guarantee that I do have clinical depression.

Thank you for your kind words.

You are right, antiDs help but they certainly aren't a cure.

Yes I am receiving talking therapy, just started.

Well, respectfully, if you had read the other posts you would see that medics have commented on here. I hear what you say though, and I was aware of that before I posted. I was happy to receive other views from people that may have similar conditions, not only medics. And yes I know that this is not necessarily the best way to go about doing things and that people on here cannot diagnose me or see my patient profile. But still. I have had some reassuring answers and some food for thought so I am happy I did it.

If you had read the other posts I added then you would see why.

Is there any need to be quite so rude? You are ill mannered.

Thank you @VladsPants :)