Private lab test for thyroid showed raised TSH - do I go to GP?

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So after years of struggling with symptoms like low mood, infertility, dry skin, fatigue, cold, weight gain, brain fog etc etc, and occasional visits to GP which didn't really go anywhere, I have paid for a private lab test which revealed a TSH of 4.88, putting me in the subclinical hypothyroidism range. The NICE guidance is to trial medication at doctors discretion. My alternatives are to ignore and carry on until it's more marked, or to self-medicate.

Has anyone had any experience of taking similar to the GP? Specifically, did you get borderline results treated, and how did arriving brandishing self-funded results ho down?

I'm on the verge of assuming it'd be such hard work it's not worth it but that could be the fatigue talking!

Trouble is Most GP's wont medicate until your TSH reaches 10.

Also you get different reference Ranges in different labs most dont consider a TSH raised until it is over 5.

Since you’ve gone to the trouble of doing the test I can’t see why you wouldn’t speak to the GP about it. TSH isn’t really an indication on its own - what was your FT4? As you say, your TSH is actually normal so I’d be surprised if those symptoms you describe are solely down to that - have you been tested for anything else?

That's what I'm a bit heartsinky about Pointless. NICE says over 4, but I appreciate I'm only a bit over.

My FT4 and FT3 were both in range, at the lower end. Quite a bit of anecdotal evidence on discussion forums that people feel quite grim with similar results, but as you say Heather, with them still classified as normal I'm not sure I'll get any treatment, despite everything being a slog. No other reason has ever come to light.

Was it a UKAS accredited lab?

I would speak to the GP and see what they think and ask for a Thyroid antibody test also.

I spent along time with high antibodies and a TSH between 6-9 by the time i was medicated it was at 19. I have found Drs to be badly informed about thyroids in the uk.

Yes Tooley - Medichecks, recommended by Thyroid UK.

Pointless you must have felt utterly vile - I'm glad you accessed treatment eventually. I don't have raised antibodies - that was included in the check. I agree with you that treatment is very by the book. I've been so slow, cold and stupid that its taken me a day to write a page (not ideal for my job) but the symptoms alone have never cut it.

I would take the result along and discuss it. They will probably want to repeat it at their own local lab before going any further.

If your GP won't medicate, might they be willing to refer you to an endocrinologist?

I’ve done exactly what you said. It completely depends on your GP as to whether they medicate. My GP treats symptoms and so increased my meds when I went over 3 to get me below 2.5 as I felt terrible and it made a real difference within a few weeks.

Most GPs I saw over years just ignored it as “normal”.

Hurried post, do pm me.
Look up tsh ranges for fertility - they like you lower than the range for normal life.
I was measured at 5.1 ona blood test for infertility. My GP didn't notice anything off re the fertility. A privately funded ivf consultation told me to get my tsh levels down to try ivf.
I conceived naturally when my tsh got to about 2, in the ideal range.

Two different GP surgeries didn't have any knowledge of this, I had to push and shout following my private advice.

Take the fertility angle and don't take no for an answer. Good luck

Did you test thyroid antibodies? What about vid d, ferritin, b12 and folate?

Vit not vid!

Thank you all.

Owls that's fascinating, more that you get a clinic to act on it, as 10 cycles of IVF say this was completely missed for me - sadly my fertility days are behind me (52). I've been feeling ill since my TSH levels were at 3 something, but this is the first time they've gone over the 0-4 range.

Piterasmus I want your GP! Last time I brought results to mine, about 3-4 years ago, I did get referred to an endocrinologist, but the upshot was still that nothing changed, I felt like crap but didnt qualify for intervention. Treating on symptoms on a trial basis would be perfect.

Minimum yes no raised antibodies, high ferritin, low Vit D - but its winter - high active B12. I've been taking supplements of iron and B12, which are showing up there I think.

On the basis of this advice, I will go along to the GP and have the conversation at least. I do have some NDT I can use at home if necessary but I really would rather be under a doc's supervision! Thanks, team.

My GP refused to treat me and I asked to see a different GP. I had raised antibodies from my private blood test and second GP (same practice) extremely reluctantly let me take Levothyroxine.

It's a ball ache trying to get UK doctors to treat for thyroid issues in my experience and even when they do they only offer Levothyroxine which isn't the right drug for everyone and often they under prescribe. Treatment differs in other countries.

I have been tempted to buy other drugs privately and try them but am not very relaxed about bypassing NHS treatment.

Snog, sounds very familiar - although I'm surprised and rather depressed that even with raised antibodies you didn't get help. I've actually got both NDT and T3 at home, bought privately, but like you would so much rather be working with a doctor to get back on an even keel.