Slightly raised TSH

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

I am overweight and have been feeling more knackered than usual so got the Medichecks Thyroid Ultra test done

My results are
TSH 4.32 (0.27-4.20)
Free T4 - 16.9 (12-22)
Free T3 - 4.53 (3.10-6.8)
Thyroglobulin ab -

Every GP is different. Some wrongly don't treat until it reaches 10. Some may trial medication if you go above 3-4 I think. You can only ask, and keep asking until they do.

Your B12, folate and ferritin are also much too low, which often go hand in hand with thyroid problems.

I do feel pretty rubbish at the moment so I think I will need to go to see the GP. I guess I am worried about being fobbed off.

In my experience GP are useless at Thyroid issues. Your ferritin and B12 look really low, as does Folate I know that the reference ranges say it's ok. But it really isn't anywhere near optimal.

I'd bet money your vitamin D is low too.

Ferritin too low, but that's an Active B12, so it's fine.

Oh yeah sorry I didn't notice the B12 range.

My own active B12 is always 20-30 :s

Thanks all
I wouldn't be surprised if my Vit D was low again it has been in the past and I had to go on a loading dose to get it back up again.

I am deliberately not taking any supplements until I get blood tests done so I get a proper base line.

It's tricky as your t4 and t3 are ok (and t3 can vary at different tones of the day.)

Do you have family history?

A normal thyroid needs good iron status and good iodine levels (and selenium. Do you have plenty of dairy and white fish?

Tsh can naturally vary a little. If your t4 were borderline or below range you'd be subclinical and this could warrant a trial of t4 to see if it helped. Your antibodies are also ok.

Vitamin d, ferritin and I believe folate can cause similar symptoms to low thyroid. I'd try to get those in optimal range and then review symptoms and blood tests.

No family history I am aware of. I don't drink milk as I am probably lactose intolerant but I can tolerate some cheeses and butter.

I have quite few stomach issues as well so I am wondering if I have some gluten sensitivity which would all fit together with the low ferritin and folate and the raised TSH.

I did this test a few weeks ago so I am going to go and see the GP and see if I can get a full set of blood tests to recheck and get a baseline and see if I can get my ferritin and folate levels up.

Good idea to check coeliac and you could try cutting that out after they've tested.

I'd try to take a basic multivitamin with the rda of iodine in if you don't have a great deal of dairy, unless you know you're eating enough fish regularly.

M and s currently do the only plant based milk with comparable iodine levels to normal milk however I'd maybe stay soya - I know it can cause absorption issues if you're on thyroxine; I'm not too sure if it has any impact on normal thyroid function too.
www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/Iodine.pdf

That's really useful info.

Thanks