Thyroid test results, any advice please?

[Pannacotta]

Following some advice on here I asked my GP for a blood test as I have been feeling very tired, have put on weight (about 1 stone over past months) and my periods are very heavy.

I was just given the results over the phone.
My iron levels are very low (7) so have been told to take iron supplements, but am not sure what the thyroid results mean.

My TSH is 1.35 which I gather is pretty good, my T4 is 15, not sure what that means.

Can anyone give any advice?
I will google but find the huge amounts of info on this a bit overwhelming...

TIA

Hi Pannacotta,

Sorry to hear you have been feeling tired. From your symptoms it sounded like it might be your thyroid gland, but the test results sound fine.

I am not a medical doctor, but suffer from thyroid problems myself (I am hypothyroid and get teh exact same symptoms you describe when i am under-dosed).

TSH should be between 0.5-5, and T4 between 4.5-12.5. Your T4 might be slightly on the high side, but that would make you hyper rather than hypothyroid. Your symptoms do not match up with that (hyperthyroidism is associated with weight loss, and light or absent periods).

I am not surprised though that you are feeling tired with such low iron levels. They are probably low because of your heavy periods.. Is that soemthing you've had for a while you know the reason?), or have they become heavier all of a sudden?

I hope you'll feel better soon.

Thyroid sounds fine.

The low iron is the culprit, from sounds of things. Think the 7 refers to your ferritin levels (which are your iron stores). If so, it is low but your tablet should correct this. You need to get your levels up to 50 or above.

For heavy periods, I've had a lot of success with Evening Primrose Oil. If you can do anything to make your periods lighter will in turn help your iron stores (ferritin levels)

Hi, sorry you are feeling rotten. I have Hashimoto's underactive thyroid and my TSH level is sitting about that just now, T4 is about 16, which I understood to be mid-range. I am feeling ok at that but know that it is personal. However,because you seem to be mid-range would have thought it should be ok. I tend to feel pants once TSH goes above about 3. Would advise another chat with your GP. From experience, googling returns lots of info to be taken with a pinch of salt. Hope you feel better soon.

TSH is fine
iirc T4 is fine

Iron is not
Are you getting any help re the heavy periods?

Thanks v much for the replies.

Yes having googled the thyroid results do seem fine. I was sure my thyroid was underactive as I could tick off all the sypmtoms of hypothyroidism and have been feeling/looking pretty dreadful, pale, puffy and tired and very chubby round the middle...

The GP did say my iron was low and that I should take supplements (though I can't take these as they give me terrible constipation! so will try Floradix).

I've had very heavy periods since DS2 was born (he is 2.8), which come every 3.5-4 weeks and which last about a week, which is quite grim. (I will look into Evening Primrose Oil, thanks.)

I'll go back to GP about this but I don't need or want to take the pill.
Is there anything else you can take to lessen heavy periods?

Thanks again.

I would suggest you ask to see a gynae
They can check if there is any reason for the heavy periods and can prescribe drugs to take to reduce them (not hormonal)

Thanks Eldon, will see if my GP will agree (they are a bit tight wad at my surgery so not too hopeful...).

Your GP can also prescribe different forms of iron which can be less constipating eg sytron which is a liquid

Thank for the advice, will book as appt to see her asap.

Pannacotta - your GP has a duty of care to you, not his wallet. Make sure you get that referral to a gynae. There is little point in topping you up with iron supplements and not getting to the root cause of your medical problems.

Ok will book in to see GP.
Had thought about just treating the iron deficiency myself with Floradix but will ask for help re heavy periods.

Blood test was done at 9.15 so not too late in the day.

Am a bit concerned that my grandmother has thyroid problems and the GP didnt seem too interested - I had read that it often runs in familes...

well yes having a bay puts stress on your thyroid ut your results are not to bad. you should try spatone for iron as i found it to be brilliant.

I havent heard of spatone moocowme, is it also a liquid irom supplement?