Thyroid levels

[Bellalastrasse]

Free thyroxine level - 14.800 pmol/L

Could be causing tiredness? Seems low if nhs range is from 12- 22

Unfortunately you fall within the NHS arbitrary ‘range’ of normal thyroid function so even if symptomatic are unlikely to get anywhere with your GP. Would be worth getting iron, B12 and vitamin D tested as well if you can.

My FT4 is 12.1 and TSH 1.09 and my GP thinks this is fine. I’ve suggested that perhaps where I am ‘on the range’ in insufficient for me as an individual but it falls on deaf ears.

Hi, thanks for replying. Under active thyroid is in the family and it just seems low for an otherwise healthy person. I did get the other tests done and again I am low on vit d. Don’t seem to be able to get on top of it with diet and supplements and seem to need loading doses from gp

It’s so frustrating when you feel dreadful and can’t get any support. You can buy very high strength Vitamin D online if you can’t get your GP to help. My Vit D was insufficient on my last blood test so I bought 50,000iu tablets online and will take one a week for the next 8 weeks. Think it’s the same loading dose you’d be prescribed anyway.

@Iheartmysmart have you researched central hypothyroidism?

OP, this is very possibly causing your tiredness. Did the GP test your TSH at the same time? (Would be unusual if they didn't!)

@Thatsajokeright I have and have mentioned it to my GP as a possibility but according to her it’s extremely rare and unlikely to be why I can tick off nearly every hypothyroid symptom on the list! My last ‘discussion’ with her was last week and I’ve decided to find a private endocrinologist with a bit more experience of central hypothyroidism as my GP is clueless.

@Thatsajokeright

Yes

TSH 2.11 mU/L

Free T3 4.81 pmol/L

@Iheartmysmart good for you for going private. I had to as well in the end; and that was just for primary hypothyroidism. Central hypothyroidism isn't as rare as the Drs are taught unfortunately.

I'm also never quite sure why they can write it off as the answer. Ok, let's assume it is rare but it still has to happen to someone; why can't it be you?

GP's get an afternoon training on Thyroid and that's it! I assume you've been on sites like Thyroid UK for information?

OP - I'm very impressed your GP tested all 3. Looks to me like you might also have a degree of central hypothyroidism.

Google the symptoms and do some research.

Ha! It’s so rare there’s two of us discussing it this very afternoon!

@Thatsajokeright Yes, I’ve had a lot of very useful help from Thyroid UK. It annoys the hell out of me having to go private though. Why do so many of us have to bypass the NHS in order to get basic health care.

@Thatsajokeright

Private testing. I had original tests by go and saw my T4 was low and ordered a complete (vitamins, minerals, FBC, hormones) check. I’m actually querying my hormone levels in the menopause forum. I’m just trying to get on top of everything and see what’s going on. Def have menopause symptoms but apparently my levels are not!

@Iheartmysmart haha! Exactly!!😂

Good luck. If you're near Bristol I can recommend an excellent endo. 😀

@Thatsajokeright Bristol is only about an hour away so yes please, a recommendation would be appreciated!

@Bellalastrasse my sex hormone levels tested "normal" despite having perimenopausal symptoms and lo and behold the symptoms have all improved since I started HRT. They really need to treat the symptoms and not the test results.

I’m on HRT and it’s helped with a couple of things but the majority of my symptoms are still unresolved. I really can’t understand why it’s not possible to be treated for symptoms rather than relying on blood tests results that can be barely in range and causing problems but are classed as normal therefore it’s tough luck.