Any GP's or anyone with personal experience about - blood test /thyroid/vitamin D results

[Onefliesoverthecuckoosnest]

Hi I recently had a range of blood tests. I am in my early forties and have recently been ill with severe depression, now stabilised on medication. However, I am also knackered, achy, general malaise. My periods have been non-existant for a while too and I have put on A LOT of weight!

So blood tests are back, GP has rung and mentioned Vit D and has asked for me to return to check my calcium levels.

However, the results show two other abnormalities:

Thyroid abnormal Serum TSH 2.66/ serum free T4 level 10.8
Vit D 28
Serum sex hormone binding glob 180

Everything else recorded as within normal ranges.

Any thoughts/knowledge/experiences from you lovely lot would be much appreciated!

Not medically yrained but, from experience, your vit D level is deficient. GP should presvribe high dose supplements to get you around 100 in a couple of months. Looks like an underactive thyroid too. Hopefully GP will yest your thyroid antibodies and your iron/ferritin. Best get a print of your actual results. If gp says your thyroid is 'within range', ask for antibody and ft3 test.

Thanks!
I've got the print out - but the GP says verbally that the thyroid is normal but I am not sure, based on the results.

They didn't test for iron/ferritin - is that the same BTW?

Thanks for replying.

Iron and ferritin are different. Ferritin is stored iron.
It looks like your tsh is working relatively hard but you aren't producing much ft4. Is your ft4 in range? If it is, it must be right at the bottom which means your ft3 will likely be very low. Healthunlocked/thyroiduk is a great forum. You could try posting there, but I'd say that your GP should at least test your thyroid antibodies. B12 and folate would be worth testing too. You could try bluehorizons or medichecks in the meantime as they do fingerprick blood tests via post. They are more comprehensive than GP tests in the UK.

What are the reference ranges for those results?

Vitamin D is low enough for your GP to be obliged to follow protocol and prescribe a loading dose, but I can't tell where that FT4 is without the reference range.

Below 25 mnol/ (whatever the Vit D measurement is) is deficient (which you are close too). 25-50 is low. Below 25 is not good for optimum MSK health. I read the NHS medical report on Vit D deficiency/optimum levels a few weeks ago and they recommended everyone needs to be at least 25 (but preferably higher), which lots aren't following winter. Your Vit D level could be making you ache, feel weak and affect your mood, but doesnt sound like it could be causing all your symptoms.

Also I don't know much about your other blood tests sorry.

I have researched Vit D levels loads as I have chronic vitamin D deficiency (being investigated). The NHS says there's not enough good quality research into optimum vit D levels or consensus, but when you get below 25 mnol/L it is not good for health, and above 100 mnol/L increases risk of pancreatic cancer.

Some use 'different measurements for vit D so sometimes it's hard to understand what others mean with reference to levels or how to compare them, but I think the NHS uses 'mnol/L' so OP i assume you mean your level is 28mnol/L?

Anyway here's some info on vit D levels that might help, be careful of lots of the stuff you read online as it's not very medically accurate or based on robust research. And good luck with your health, hope you feel better soon

www.nhs.uk/livewell/summerhealth/documents/concensus_statement%20_vitd_dec_2010.pdf

Thank you so much for reply to you all, and for the link, @movingagainohwhy.

I have now had bloods taken for calcium and iron/ferritin so waiting on those.

Thyroid
TSH 2.66 reference 0.27-4.20
T4 10.8 ref 11 - 25 so classed as abnormal but not meeting the threshold for treatment.

Serum sex hormone binding 180 range is 32 to 129 so that seems really high but again not been flagged by GP.

I will wait for the new results and then make an appointment.

Do you think it is worth seeing a nutrional therapist to have an overview and advise on what supplements may help. I'm reading loads but it is a bloody minefield isn't it?

Really appreciate all of your help..

Most people say the range is too wide so people in range can still be underactive. Your ft4 is out of range but GP says not enough for treatment! If your antibodies indicative you have hashimotos (autoimmune thyroiditis) you'll stand a better chance of treatment. I bet your ft3 is on the floor...