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Original poster

Question re:tests for underactive thyroid

10 replies

mummytosteven · 17/02/2006 13:41

Had a "thyroid function" blood test done beforehand. IIRC from previous threads, they should ideally test for 2 things to accurately check whether you have an underactive thyroid. If the heading on the form was "thyroid function" do you think that will just have checked one of the two things? Sorry to sound so vague, hope someone knows what I am talking about (am sure WWB will!).

OP posts:
Original poster
mummytosteven · 17/02/2006 14:07

.

OP posts:
pootlepod · 17/02/2006 14:09

Not sure I totally understand the question but I think all of my thyroid tests have involved checking for 2 things.

Original poster
mummytosteven · 17/02/2006 14:13

Been looking up some of WWB's old posts now! Basically they should really test for T3 and T4 as well as TSH, but often they just test for TSH.

OP posts:
Original poster
mummytosteven · 17/02/2006 14:51

.

OP posts:
tissy · 17/02/2006 14:55

if the form says "thyroid function" they will initially check the T3 and T4 levels. If these are abnormal, they will then check TSH to find out why.

WigWamBam · 17/02/2006 14:55

I found that they sometimes just test for T3 and T4 - my results kept coming back normal because they weren't checking the TSH levels. When they did, they were sky high because my body was working flat out to keep the thyroxine levels up.

A full thyroid function test will test three things:

T4 (thyroxine)
T3 (triiodothyronine)
TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)

In an underactive thyroid T3 and T4 are usually high and TSH low. Because that's usually the case they often only test for T3 and T4 (that was my experience anyway). I usually recommend that people ask to make sure their TSH is being checked, just to make sure that everything is being looked at rather than just the thyroxine levels.

HappyMumof2 · 17/02/2006 14:56

Message withdrawn

Original poster
mummytosteven · 17/02/2006 14:58

aaargh my first sentence should have said "today" not "beforehand" in original post. Anyway I think my query has been answered, will just have to see what the results turn up. New GP was very nice, prepared to get the test done just on the basis of me complaining of lethargy.

OP posts:
tissy · 17/02/2006 14:58

WWB, it's the other way round...

in an underactive thyroid, T3 and T4 are low, and TSH is high (because the body is trying to get the thyroid to make more T4

WigWamBam · 17/02/2006 15:00

Yes, of course you're right. Typing in a hurry!

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