Under active thyroid results and symptoms

[LMCB2024]

Hi everyone

I wonder if anyone is able to give me some advice on my bloods, the drs aren't really communicating saying I'll have a retest in 3 months. I had blood tests done 18months ago for my symptoms and was told my thyroid was borderline under active they retested after 8 weeks (at my request) and was told It was normal, I could have a retest in a year. Had a retest and they said it's 'heading towards being under active' and put me on 25mcg of levothyroxine. I asked for a copy of my blood test results as after 8 weeks I'm still feeling the same, they came back as:

T4- 11.8 pmol/L
TSH-31.3 mIU/
Antibodies - 302 kU/L
The doctors are obviously the experts but I was wondering does anyone else have any similar results and how long it took for them to feel better.

Thanks in advance

I can’t remember what my results were, but I was subclinical and I opted to go on the medication at that point. I had no symptoms, I only knew about it because I couldn’t get pregnant. It took me 12 months to get pregnant, and other people I spoke to who had had symptoms said it took them 12 months to feel better.
25 is a very low dose, when are they testing again?

You have a very high TSH and need to be put on a much higher dose!

Your Dr very clearly IS NOT an expert! They hardly ever are…

I was put on medication at TSH 10 and that is considered a high TSH.

Join - Health Unlocked Thyroid UK Forum. It’s active with a lot of members and they will give you invaluable advice.

It’s a blood test each month as standard practice until your TSH gets to around 1/2.

The annual test is when you have found a dose that keeps you in this range.

Your T4 is just about to fall out of range.

How are you feeling right now OP?

Thanks for the replies everyone. I feel I had a week were I was feeling more energised but iv gone back to feeling lethargic and so sluggish and exhausted. I think I'll request another blood test following these responses, I was told my results were mild and heading towards under active x

Thanks @oneoliveeagle is that forum on here or a different site please?

It’s a different site. If you google ‘Health Unlocked’ … the Thyroid UK (recognised charity) is an option on the drop down menu. They are a great resource of info.

Those were my exact symptoms.

You should have been started on Levothyroxine 18 months ago if you came up high-positive for the thyroid antibodies. That is a dead giveaway that you have autoimmune thyroiditis.

If you join the other forum they will tell you what other blood tests you should also be tested for such as ferritin (iron), b12, vit D.

My thyroid levels are unstable at the minute but with higher doses you can quickly get the TSH down (mine went down 10 in a month) and get your symptoms lifting.

Thank you so much for your advice I really appreciate it 💚

Your tsh (thyroid stimulating hormone)is raised - this means it is overworking. Your t4 is in range (up to 18 is normal) which is what clinicians look at regarding management. The usual procedure (NICE) is to recheck your blood every 3m and increase your thyroxine until the tsh reduces and you are feeling better. It would help to have your baseline results to see if things are improving now you are on thyroxine. Unfortunately it is a slow process as over prescribing can cause other problems. Did you know you get free prescriptions if you are on thyroxine?

I just have something else to add - whilst the T4 is in range - it’s only just. It’s about to drop under range.

You’re looking for a high T4 as this indicates active thyroid hormone in your blood stream.

You’ve been put on a dose that they only usually give to kids or the elderly.

Your tsh should be closer to 1-2 if successfully medicated. It's a long slow process of blood tests/increase thyroxine.

I would expect a much higher dose eventually. Press for repeat tests 8-12 weeks and follow up.

The NICE recommendations are to treat the symptoms - if you still feel like shit, they need to up the dose (but 25mg is still a teeny dose)