Thyroid test result help...

[Curiosity101]

I had a baby just over 13 months ago and the pregnancy didn't quite go to plan. We're considering baby number 2 and I thought, given the issues I had in pregnancy, it might be a good idea to have a general health check-up. I didn't want to bother an NHS GP just yet as it was very much exploratory. I've got my thyroid test results back and if I'm reading it right I probably should book a GP appointment to get the tests repeated as there may be an underlying thyroid issue?

TOTAL THYROXINE(T4) 72 nmol/L. Normal range: 59 - 154

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 5.98 mIU/L. Normal range: 0.27 - 4.2

THYROXINE 15.2 pmol/l. Normal range 12.0 - 22.0

FREE T3 5.0 pmol/L. Normal range 3.1 - 6.8

Thyroid peroxidase ab's 199.0 IU/ml. Normal range 0 - 34

Thyroglobulin Antibody 85.0 IU/mL. Normal range 0 - 115

I'm hoping someone here will be able to advise whether a follow up GP appointment is worth it or not. I don't want to waste their time if I don't have to.

You should consult a GP for high TSH values. They will run another test to see if your values were still high and decide if you need medication. Your test results suggest mild hypothyroidism and it may be affecting your periods - could be irregular or heavy.

Thanks for the reply. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't over reacting. I'll get booked in and see what the GP thinks after a repeat test.

Hi, my thyroid was checked because I have aching joints. My TSH was 8.2 and and on my retest was 7.6 so I’ve been put on thyroxine daily. I don’t have any of the other results you have so don’t know what those are. My results have one called serum thyroid peroxidase antibody concentration which is 177KU/L. Not sure what that really means but because it’s higher than it should be it’s something to do with my immune system attacking my thyroid.

@Spiderpop Thanks for that :)

My serum thyroid peroxidase antibody concentration is 199.0 IU/ml. Sounds like my TSH isn't too far behind yours either so we're in very similar positions I think. Have you felt better since being on Thyroxine? Have you had your TSH retested since being on Thyroxine?

@Curiosity101 I’ve only been on the thyroxine two weeks and am still pretty achy, particularly my feet. The main thing I’ve noticed is that I’m not cold all the time anymore. I have a blood test in December. They apparently start on a pretty low dose and then up it as needed. Make sure if you do need thyroxine that you ask the doctor if you should get the prescription for free. The chemist was surprised I was paying for it and said to ring the doctor for an exemption form. I don’t know why but thankfully it seems thyroxine is free .
Get an appointment and get it sorted. Hope it goes well x

I’m wondering whether IU/ml is the same as Ku/L.

You are retested regularly, every few months initially until the levels are stable and then annually. Low thyroid levels in early pregnancy can result in neurological impairment (or miscarriage) so put off ttc until levels are stable. As soon as you are pregnant ask for your levels to be increased and referred to endocrinology.

Your tsh is showing mild hypothyroidism, so definitely see your doctor.
You don’t have antibodies, so that’s good.

Spiderpop, if your are achy it’s probably your vitamin D levels. These can be severely deficient with hypothyroidism.

You should also have your B12, folate, and Fertin levels checked every time you have a thyroid blood test.

Doctor should check your levels after 6 - 8 weeks after any change in your tablets. Once you are at the correct levels then you should be checked once every year.

Hope this helps!

@Newme2016 Thanks for your reply, I'm not sure if you missed this though?

Thyroid peroxidase ab's 199.0 IU/ml. Normal range 0 - 34

I'm under the impression that I do have reasonably high antibodies. Definitely representative of Hashimoto's Disease?

Yes, sorry I missed that one!