Thyroxine, blood results V absorption / effectiveness.

[Boomboomackalackalackaboom]

I know certain things affect the absorption of thyroxine but I’m wondering if the blood test results show how much thyroxine is in your system or how much your body has actually absorbed & able to be use?
TIA.

The results show how it is being processed as it's the tsh which is a hormone your body produces to make the thyroid work. The higher it is the less effective your thyroid is being.

I have just started taking mine at night as suggested by a friend as food and caffeine affect absorption.

If you are taking levothyroxine and your tsh and t4 are in range then you are probably absorbing it.
There is a specialist test that can be done to check absorbtion but it's not routine and only usually used for patients with unusual intestine anatomy (e.g people who have had surgery to remove parts etc)

There are quite a few of us on MN who have thyroid issues, usually hypothyroidism but some hyper-vipers too.

Do you know if your blood test was for TSH only, or a full thyroid panel? Are you on Levothyroxine?

I’m on thyroxine and liothyronine and under an endocrinologist.

I have never felt well since blood tests were ignored showing I was suffering hypothyroidism because the registrar on his placement at the GP surgery didn’t scroll down enough to see all the blood test results and, several months later at the point of collapse, I ended up with ‘no activity at all’ in my thyroid. (Drs actual words)

I knew that you shouldn’t drink caffeine or eat until 30 mins after taking thyroxine but I recently saw something on SM saying that 30 mins probably isn’t long enough and it’s more likely 2-3 hours.

I’ve recently found out that walnuts -that I have with my breakfast every day, also affect absorption. I just wondered if the fact I can’t function is down to the M.E I’ve recently been diagnosed with or if in actual fact my continued lack of any energy is due to my thyroxine not being properly absorbed but blood results think I’m getting enough.

There are days I can barely lift a fork to my mouth to eat, let alone prepare a meal myself, and this does feel like when I had no activity in my thyroid at all and couldn’t even lift my arms to brush my hair.

I’ve recently switched to taking my thyroxine at night and I actually did some cleaning at the weekend which is pretty much miraculous for me. I’m hoping this is the start of improved health rather than a one off 🤞🏻

I take my thyroxine at night. It's always worked really well for me and it stops that hanging around in the mornings.

What do your test results look like?

For fine tuning, there is a lot of knowledge on the ThyroidUK forum.

I was prescribed high iron doses with my thyroxine but not told to separate them at all, later found out Iron can also affect it so maybe if you are eating iron rich foods? I didn’t realise the actual time should be 2-3 hours after eating, I may try taking it at night

British thyroid foundation advise at least 2 hours after ferritin iirc @ProudThrilledHappy

I’m waiting for my blood test results at the moment. Bloods were taken in Dec but my appointment at endocrine clinic was cancelled due to the Dr having Covid so I’m waiting to see if it will be rebooked or, as for the last couple of years, a letter with my results will be sent instead.

I just really would love to know if it’s possible for my results to be normal but for me not to be feeling the benefit of the full dose. So often patients are more knowledgeable through experience as Drs are fixated on looking at the figures on the lab report -although my Dr is lovely and has been trying to help me. I’m just not sure I will get to see him to ask.

I think that is possible.
They should consider your symptoms not just the figures.

I take mine in morning before breakfast but a colleague takes hers at night as advised by consultant.
My consultant (different region) said he had not heard of this!