Can someone talk me through thyroid test results (10 years worth)

[KatyMac]

Ok exaggeration! There are only 5 but after the big chat thread about thyroid I feel a bit triggered

I have menopause IBS ME/CFS FM hypermobility malabsorption (sp?)

Serum TSH level 4.10 mIU/L [0.27 - 4.2]
Serum free T4 level 12.3 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]

Serum TSH level 7.00 mIU/L [0.27 - 4.2]; Above high reference limit
Serum free T4 level 14.6 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]

Serum TSH level 2.20 miu/L [0.27 - 4.2]
Serum free T4 level 12.1 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]

Serum TSH level 2.87 miu/L [0.27 - 4.2]
Serum free T4 level 15.0 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]

Serum TSH level 3.18 miu/L [0.27 - 4.2]
Serum free T4 level 14.9 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]

Symptom wise
Y Feeling out of sorts?
YY Constantly fatigued/drowsy, having afternoon naps?
When from Weight gain?
YY Digestive issues?
YY Bloating?
Not so much - IBS - Constipation?
Y Cold sensitivity
N Body hair loss?
YYY Stiffness, joint pain.
Y Dry eyes?
Y semi successful bladder repair - Frequent urination?
YYYY Muscle aches and tenderness?
YYYY Forgetfulness?
YYYY Mind fog?
N Dry skin, dry hair.
Y Yoyo weight.
Y Disturbed sleep?
N Acne flair ups?
N Fingernails that flatten round your fingertips?

Do I have to go and make a fuss? Remember I have pre-existing conditions so everything I have is a manifestation of those (including tennis elbow - undiagnosed for nearly 6 months & a large (avocado sized) fatty lump in my abdomen that was my ibs)

I'd be back in pushing. The phrase is "I know what the lab results are and I'd like you to treat me clinically." Also test yourself. Some people will scream how dangerous it is (if you take double your dose then yes) but if you add an extra 25mg to your dose and feel better the next day you have an indicator you are on the right track.
"Doctor, I suspect that increasing my dose will resolve lots of not all my symptoms. Will you support me in this please?"

Get yourself on the Thyroid UK forum and take their advice. They will also want to know if you have had things like B12 and Folate, Vitamin D and ferritin tested.

For what it's worth, I've seen your posts over the years and always thought you were hypothyroid. Lots of people with a CFS/ME diagnosis are. It looks like your FT4 has never been high enough, regardless of TSH and the variation in results would suggest autoimmune thyroiditis.

@Pleasemrstweedie I have questioned it with the gp but told I do t know what I'm talking about (fair as I dont)
I have joined but I'll have to look at it on my laptop; the navigation is complicated on the phone

My B12, D, iron and foliate are all low so I suppliment alongside zinc, magnesium vit k potassium ubiquinol rosehip & the folate I take is methyl folate

@ManyATrueWord I struggle challenging the gp emotionally - hence a private meno appt on Monday as I've given up arguing

That is a thyroid not working properly.

Ask to see a different GP. Appalling being told you don't know what you are talking about. I do know what I'm talking about having been on a awful thyroid rollercoaster with hypo that went hyper then Graves' disease diagnosed. Been in remission from
graves for about 5 years but a recent thyroid test showed just over the normal levels for hypo so I suggested the GP consult the endocrinology clinic I was under as I believed I should start thyroxine low dose. They agreed. So been on it 2x months now just 25mg and it's helped. Please advocate for yourself - GPs are not thyroid specialists. Hope you get sorted OP.

hence a private meno appt on Monday as I've given up arguing

Please bring your results to that appointment. I've found that the doctors who specialise in HRT tend to be very clued up on thyroid issues.

really? @user2155340308842 - I'm already anxious about it, thanks

It's frustrating as I have been ill for 27 years

I wonder if my cough is connected to thyroid too

I'm going to have to be brave aren't I?

Bugger

Shit

The drop from 7 to 2.10 for tsh is odd.

But yes thyroid is struggling here.

Your thyroid function hasn't changed much in ten years. I don't really see an issue here. Not everyone's thyroid sits at the same numbers. Yours are almost all in range. It also isn't atypical or abnormal for thyroid numbers to naturally fluctuate slightly outside of range due to a variety of factors that impact on thyroids.

If you had thyroid disease, your thyroid function would have gotten progressively worse over the course of ten years.

The symptoms you list are vague and can be related to any number of conditions.

@Stickybackplasticbear these are the dates the odd one is post surgery - could that be relevant? & I just realised its more like 5 years not 10 as there are other tests showing but no details when I click on them
Sept 22
Serum TSH level 4.10 mIU/L [0.27 - 4.2]
Serum free T4 level 12.3 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]

Nov 21
Serum TSH level 7.00 mIU/L [0.27 - 4.2]; Above high reference limit
Serum free T4 level 14.6 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]

Jun 21
Serum TSH level 2.20 miu/L [0.27 - 4.2]
Serum free T4 level 12.1 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]

Nov 18 (after surgery to remove my ovaries)
Serum TSH level 2.87 miu/L [0.27 - 4.2]
Serum free T4 level 15.0 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]

Feb 18
Serum TSH level 3.18 miu/L [0.27 - 4.2]
Serum free T4 level 14.9 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]

@Freefall212 quite possibly but when you feel as shit as I do you tend to grasp at straws that have a medication that might help.

It really doesn't, or shouldn't require bravery - you are paying for a doctor's expertise at a private appointment, you have every right to ask for what you need. Advocating for yourself is a good thing!

Just bring as many medical records/results as you can put your hands on. Explain how long and how you've felt unwell. That the GP has fobbed you off and that, based on symptoms and your other autoimmune issues, you would like to reassure yourself that you don't have an undiagnosed thyroid issue.

If you're worried you'll be nervous and jumbled, write out a list of things you'd like to discuss ahead of time.

I get just wanting a fix but with those numbers, it will be difficult to get a doctor to give you medication that your labs indicate that you don't need.

Yes, post surgery or acute illness can increase TSH levels and generally isn't considered valid results.

If you have low Vit b12 and low iron and you probably have low vit D too, those can make a big difference in symptoms. Most of the symptoms I thought were thyroid resolved when my ferritin levels and vit D levels finally were in the optimal range. My symptoms didn't change with thyroid medication.

@Freefall212 I supplement aggressively with B12 and D & I take methyl folate so I know those three are at optimum levels

I take magnesium, zinc, k2, potassium, rosehip, ubiquinol, floradix and a good probiotic - so hopefully they are ok too

If its not my thyroid, its not and I certainly don't want treating if it isn't- but maybe getting the other levels tested wouldn't be a bad idea, just for exclusion

@user2155340308842 my history with misdiagnosis is vast and serious; it leaves you insecure and scared

I will be brave and do something (see gp or get a private test? £42 is doable go private if its not normal for everything)

@user2155340308842 the meno lady is asking my gp for a full thyroid test as well as the others she wants
Thanks for suggesting it

@Pleasemrstweedie I've made an account and posted a thread - thanks for suggesting it

Just be sure that the Dr does a full thyroid panel, as I have thyroid tested by gp, rheumatologist snd a alergy Dr said it still wasn't a full panel.

Good luck!

You really need to know your FT3 levels and antibodies to get a full picture. You need the full panel done.
I used Medichecks to get this done as GP would only test FT4 and TSH.

The consultant said that's what she would ask the gp to do, but if they didn't include everything, I could order one online

New results

Serum TSH level 5.61 mIU/L [0.27 - 4.2]; Above high reference limit
Serum free T4 level 14.5 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]

Seconding a PP who suggested getting FT3 levels as well as antibodies measured. The odd behaviour of your TSH with FT4 is likely due to FT3 levels. However you look at it, your FT4 is way, way too low. Your latest results say the same thing, TSH showing a struggling thyroid, FT4 level very low.

Please get thyroid antibodies measured, TPO and TG. You may have autoimmunity.

I am imagining the GP is not going to test for all that so its private

Should I try and push for an endocrinologist? & test privately in the waiting time

I've also got to argue with them about my testosterone at that is showing as high but I dont want to give it up

The receptionist phoned me to say that GP has advised me to
a) retest thyroid in 3 months
b) stop taking testosterone

I suggested that I wouldnt be doing either of these things and that i needed to speak to the GP - so I have a phone appt next week

Why not re test in 3m? It's not a bad suggestion.

Are you also on HRT?

Because its not the first time it's been out of range

And because I am passed off with being ill its heading up for 28 years - maybe an endocrinologist might be the specialist I need to see