Thyroid question

[wildflowersummermeadow]

Hi there

I went to the doc recently about constantly feeling fainty and weird and exhausted and ill all the time. I was expecting it to just be "lack of sleep" (sleep-averse 16 month old, sigh), but the doctors receptionist rang me back with the results of a blood test

"your blood test results are back, they say low iron and low thyroid...doctor says you don't need to do anything. come back in 3 months for another blood test"

does anyone happen to know why i might be waiting for 3 months for another test? is this something that can get better by itself then? or can there be different degrees or stages of the problem?

the only info i can find on the web seems to say it's a long term thing that requires medication...

thanks xx - just in case anyone has any experience or can offer any advice - can i help my thryoid myself?

xxx

Hiya, those look shocking levels, but perhaps the range is different - I've seen some funny numbers posted sometimes but then the ranges are weird too eg t4 0.14 could be the same as 14? Just a thought
It is crap tho if you were flagged up in uk and they never did anything, esp if you also had problems conceiving. I'd be angry. Can you find out what your actual levels were?
I'm glad you are diagnosed now at least - hope you feel well soon
A lot of people get v angry and upset when they realise how long they have suffered needlessly whn gp didn'T do anything, or results were ignored. You are not alone

I've checked the ranges - the one that's 73 should be 0.5 to 5.5

I'm not going to try & find out what my levels were - dd is now 8, and I don't really want a baby now - in my 40s. but I spent 7 years ttc, and about 12,000 pounds. The fact that my life could have been so different is scary.

But then I love my job, and where I live. If I'd had 2 kids (as planned) when I wanted them, I would probably still be in a job I hated instead of where I am now.

Before I knew what the levels were, I was having a bit of a fret about whether all these tests will be covered by insurance (they should be, I was just worrying). Then I thought 'hell, I've been ill for a DECADE. Even if I blow ten thousand dollars I want to be well.'

(Ponders about telling dh the med stuff did cost 10k, then accidentally buying some diamonds with the money instead)

Hi can someone direct me to where to find the ranges. Had my tests back today, already on 150mcg thyroxine. TSH is 1.69 which I'm happy with but I have never asked for FT3 and FT4. These were 15.6 fT4 and 3.6 FT3, I do t know if these are ok or not.

Thyroid uk is a good website for q & a.

Thanks kickassangel, looked there but couldn't find ranges, will look again.

My notes from doc say T3 should be 0.3 to 5.5 and T4 should be 0.76 to 1.7

Not sure if that's just for me or a more universal thing

Ranges here in West Midlands

TSH 0.35-6
FT4 9-26
FT3 2.8-7

D

Hi,

I am sorry to interrupt, but am going through a confusing time with a lot of conflicting stores.

Would you be concerned by the following results?
TSH 2.7
T4 14.7
T3 5.0
Antibodies >1000

Previous TSH readings in the past 18 months have included 2.5 and 3.2.

I have been told I have an overactive, underactive and not a problem thyroid in the last week regarding this. I haven't been prescribed anything and I am debating whether or not to go private as the advise as been so contrary this week.

x

Thanks RockinD, I've read your previous posts and you suggest ft3 and ft4 should be in the upper third of the ranges? Do you think mine are too low?

Onedaybaby - it's all so confusing isn't it!

Hello

there are lotsof clever people here who know their stuff and so I would be grateful for some help interpreting my lab ranges for my thyroid test please.

TSH is 7
T4 is 14

From what I gather these seem higher than the normal range. Is this right ? Also my GP doesnt think its anything to worry about??

Thanks for any advice !

Ranges here in West Midlands

TSH 0.35-6
FT4 9-26
FT3 2.8-7

So here you would be out of range on the TSH and FT4 in the bottom third of the range . That would look hypo to me. The TSH at that level means your pituitary is shouting at your thyroid to produce more T4 and your T4 at that level means it isn't really listening.

If I were you I would ask your GP for the reference ranges and if you're outside the range for your area I would push for treatment.

While you're annoying your GP you should also ask him/her to test Vitamin B12 and folate, Vitamin D and ferritin. If any of these are low in the reference range, you will probably have symptoms and, more importantly, if any of these are low they can stop your thyroid hormones (or any thyroid replacement) from working.

Hope that helps.

D

Thank you D .

Thats great. There sees to be a real variation on what is considered within the "normal" range.

Just marking my place - clever GP has arranged for bloods to be taken as I have a history of and current symptoms synonymous with ?thyroid.

Am thrilled, I thought I was just a middle aged fat bird and that the grumpiness, knackeredness, headaches etc etc etc was linked with that.

Got a lot to learn, and am secretly hoping that I need to get to grips with all this...be nice to get a diagnosis.