Thyroid testing - is TSH enough?

[jugglerofballs]

Had a hemithyroidectomy a few years ago and have been on lowest dose thyroxine ever since. Had to fight for this as levels were on the low end of normal. Just had blood tests as part of annual medication review, and they only tested for TSH, not T3 or T4. Is this enough? Came back normal but I’m losing hair, putting on weight, constantly tired… (also being tested for peri). Tia.

No it isn’t. TSH isn’t even a thyroid hormone, it’s a pituitary gland one. If you can’t persuade your GP to run a full check - so TSH, FT4 and FT3 you can get them done privately. It’s important to have the test as early in the morning as possible and don’t have anything to eat or drink apart from water and don’t take your levo beforehand either.

Its really helpful to get iron, B12 and Vitamin D tested at the same time if possible.

Out of curiosity what was your tsh result?

I was recently tested and came back 2.75, normal is 0.5-4 but online there is a lot of research to suggest anything over 2.5 is abnormal and I have all the symptoms.

I would be asking for further testing of T3T4 if your experiencing symptoms too as blood work isn't black and white. It should be symptom led not blood work led but sure it'll be a battle either way.

Sorry to hear this Op. @Iheartmysmart is right. I will never again trust a GP to oversee my Thyroid care.

medichecks.com/products/thyroid-function-antibodies-blood-test is the one I buy, when it's on special offer. Thyroid Thursday

Sometimes I get this one to test the vitamins my thyroid needs to work properly. medichecks.com/products/advanced-thyroid-function-blood-test

Get yourself on to Thyroid UK here & ask for their guidance. Lots of us in the same position. They even do discount codes for testing. healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

Best of luck

Thanks so much everyone. I did loads of research back when I had the op and was experiencing crippling tiredness but I’ve forgotten it all now. Back then, GP reluctantly wrote to endo consultant who immediately replied “let her try the meds”. Just why wouldn’t you, when I only have half a thyroid and the symptoms tie in!?
I have use medichecks before and missed thyroid Thursday last week but will check again this week.
TSH was 2.3 this time (range 0.55 - 4.78).

Thank you for this! I've ordered a test :)

These guys are your friends.

TSH is never enough because, as a PP said, it is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone and testing TSH along will not pick up any disconnects in the feedback loop. At the end of the day, it is your thyroid hormone levels that matter and low T3 that gives you your symptoms.

You say you're on the lowest dose of thyroxine. How much is that? The theory is, if you start low, that you test every six weeks or so and keep raising the dose until your symptoms are gone and wellbeing is restored. Somewhere along the line this last bit has been forgotten.

50mcg of levo daily. I’ve been on this for about 3 years now. I last paid for full private testing 2 years ago and TSH was 3.82 (0.27-4.2), T3 was 3.81 (3.1-6.8) and free thyroxine was 14.9 (12-22). Last GP test before this one was a year ago and TSH was 2.73 (0.55-4.78).

thank you, I am noseying around on the health unlocked website.

Well, on that test your thyroid hormones were too low and TSH too high, so you were under-medicated at that point.

Have a look at the NHS CLinical Knowledge Summary as well. Doctors are advised to "aim to resolve symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism".

Thank you @DeedIDo I will read that to educate myself so I can fight with my GP 🙄 I’ve ordered a medichecks test too