My Blood Results ~ what do they mean PLEASE advise

[sharni07]

I posted recently with my symptoms of extreme tiredness, weight gain and depression. I now have got a copy of my blood results from my GP and here they are, I live in the UK btw not USA.

serum TSH level     HI    5.2 mu/L    (0.30-5.00)

serum free T4 level      14.7 pmol/L      (9.0-24.0)  SR

Plz can someone help me understand these results??

Thank you so much.

xx

[Jac567]

Hi Stella
Thanks for the links they are most useful,
how come you got a purple flower by your name~

[stella5349]

Here is some info specifically with the UK you need to read.



Germany: www.kit-online.org

France: www.geocities.com/thyroide

UK: tpa-uk.org.uk
UK: www.thyroiduk.org
UK: thyroid-disease.org.uk
UK: www.thyroidresearch.com

[sharni07]

I am on 25mcg levothyroxine myself. Hope it helps. xx

To Jojoc37, plz don't give up, it took me about 9 trips to thr GP to finally get treated and it's only cos of advice give in this forum I pushed harder and went in armed with all my info and demanded they treat me as they could not give any other answer! I saw 4 GPs in all and it was going back to my origional one who finally caved in! Only you know your own body and you know when you don't feel right. My GP still made me feel dumb, told me to eat less and excercise more etc, does she think I am just a lazy deadbeat or what? It is no fun feeling tired all the time and feeling really ******, I just hope my medicine works!

Goodluck. xx

[Smilerdeb]

What dose thyroxin are you on?
JUst curious....TSH seems top end of reference range.

[jojoc37]

Hi All, I am also from uk and have been going to my gp for nearlly a year complaining of feeling tired, feeling ill, and other symptoms, he sent me for blood tests in july, came back as tsh 4.14 tg 4.9 and free t4 12, he said they are in normal range and basically said go away nothing more i can do, so i am now left in limbo not knowing what to do, are they in normal range? and why do i feel so bad, every day gets worse,

[Smilerdeb]

I am from Australia and here they regard any TSH reading over 3.00 to be HYPO.
So take your info to your Doctor and tell him that you ARE HYPO and need to be put on a small dose of Thyroxin...maybe 25mcg to start with.
Tell him the worst that can happen is you will go HYPER and if that is the case, then you will discontinue the Thyroxin.
I am originally from the UK and the National Health System in the UK..*****.
Thank Gawd I'm from Australia now.

[stella5349]

I am concerned with the medication you are on - there has been many articles on the problems with dosages with Eltroxin.

Here are links I get in my newletter.

http://thyroid.about.com/b/2008/06/11/whats-happening-to-thyroid-patients-taking-eltroxin-brand-levothyroxine-in-new-zealand.htm

http://thyroid.about.com/b/2008/09/11/new-zealands-problems-with-thyroid-drug-eltroxin-an-update.htm

[sharni07]

THANK YOU!

[adutch]

my results are tsh 0.1
t4 is 23.9
i am dizzy, thirsty as and high bp. dr is baffled as i am on eltroxin 100mg a day and i have NO thyroid (removed 7yrs ago) she seems to think my t4 is to high but not sure and wants another blood test in 10days when i have been back on 50 mg for those 10 days

[stella5349]

Here is some specific information available for you to get the help you need.

Designed specifically for UK patients

You are hypothyroid and here in the states 90% of people with your labs may get treatment here.

http://www.thyroid-disease.org.uk/
http://www.kit-online.org/
http://www.geocities.com/thyroide/
http://tpa-uk.org.uk/
http://www.thyroiduk.org/
http://www.thyroid-disease.org.uk/
http://www.thyroidresearch.com/
http://www.armourinfo.freeuk.com/

[sharni07]

I recently posted my results in search of answers to my constant tiredness, cramps feeling ill etc,

My results were>>   serum TSH level     HI    5.2 mu/L    (0.30-5.00)

                              serum free T4 level      14.7 pmol/L      (9.0-24.0)  SR

As advised I went to see another GP today and he said I am NOT hypo, yet he could give no answer for my symptoms other than depression.
Now I had these symptoms just over a year, I only became depressed the past 6 weeks out of desperation and frustration in feeling so tired and ill. I asked him to check what my TSH was a year ago and guess what it was 2.9 when I was feeling well a year ago but even when pointing this out he looked at me like I was dumb, I told him I had done my research and he told me to beware of places like this and that because my T4 was normal even though my TSH was hi I am def not hypothyroid. He also disputed the fact it was high and said unless my TSH went up to over 10 they would not treat me! Grrrrrr

What do I do?? I live in the UK, I can't see another GP and can only be referred to hospital by my GP who obviously thinks I am just depressed. I am even more so now and feel like giving up, I just want to feel normal, run around with my kids but I am sure at my surgery they now think I am a hypocondriact so I guess on the funny side I am hypo just not in the way in which I was hoping to be diagnosed! Until the problem is found I can't begin treatment. ;o(

Am I hypo or not? Opinions needed plz, I don't wanna make a fool of myself but I have every single symptom and I need answers soon!

Thanks in advance. xx

[stella5349]

It may be because you are not depressed and not in need of those meds - you "may" and I think you are - hypothyroid and not being treated right.

So may UK people have such a hard time getting help for thyroid issues.

I so sympathize with all of you.

[sharni07]

Thank you so much for all your advice!

I am going to book to see another Dr this week and ask them to do further tests, I guess I can only hope the next GP will be more understanding. I have been on citalipram now (anti depresants) for 6 days and feel no better! I don't feel depressed other than the fact I am always tired that is the only thing that makes me feel down!

Thank you all again. xx

[stella5349]

Throw the AACE guideline book at your endo on the new references ranges of .3 to 3.0 on hypothyroidism.

He or she can not - NOT understand that or are hypothyroid after reading that.

Yes it is an American agency - BUT they like to model that.

The abruptly tell him you want to try meds to see if you feel better.

Go only with Synthroid not generic - especially where you live - or try Armour.

[jax190]

in the uk they are not very good at diagnosing thyroid problems but i think you would benefit from some meds the new range for tsh is 0.30 - 3.5 so you are fairly over see if your dr will start you off on a low dose to see if you feel better dont give in also get you ferritin levels checked as these can be low and cause tiredness a lot of dr blame depression mine tried it dont let him give up keep on at him ask about the thyroid anti bodies test
good luck

[weezard]

Please don't let your doctor blame it all on depression.  Depression is a symptom of hypo.  My doctor wanted to prescribe an antidepressant for me on our first meeting.  I felt like such an idiot because I actually started crying at the exam!  I'm glad I waited for all my blood work to be done because it indicated subclinical hypo (my TSH was slightly above 3.0).  In addition to depression, I had heart palpitations and weird dizzy spells.  After starting Synthroid, my life had changed dramatically for the better.  I still can't lose a pound to save my life, but at least I don't feel like bursting into tears every few minutes.  The dizzy spells are gone, and the palpitations barely noticeable!

[Jac567]

"i am so frustrated and totally drained! "

Sharni, I feel so much for you,   my GP is the opposite, to yours she...done blood test after blood test, sent me to Rhumatology, Hepatology and now on my way to endocrinology. I was rang at home the minute my results were available and I allready have an appointment with an endocrinologist. My GP firstly told me I had fybromyalgia and really worked hard to rule out any other possibilities, I always felt my doctor was working hard on my behalf. Please change you doctor if he insists your symptoms are depression related, "thats what they tell you when they don't want to spend from the practise budget. My problem to some extent is I look really well even though I feel dreadful, tired, crampy, aching all over, pins and needles, etc, you hang in there and let us know how things go. We know our own bodies better than they do and also they don't feel your pain so they are not concerned. ... Get another opinion! even if it means presenting at casualty...
Good luck !

[sharni07]

hi,

thanks for your reply, no my dr says it's normal and my depression is reason i am so tired etc,  they keep dismissing thyroid probs and say my levels are normal but the more i read the more i have doubts!

Do I need treatment or should I just wait till my dr says something?

i am so frustrated and totally drained!

[jax190]

the high tsh level means that you are hypo most people feel good when the tsh is lower around 1.5 - 2 and the t4 is higher  have you been diagnosed and have you started taking any meds yet your symptoms are hypo symptoms and once you are on meds you will start to feel better although it is a slow process  it takes about 6 weeks to notice a difference but can take longer to get the right dose im also in the uk and from what i read our doctors are not so clued up on thyroid conditions and we often know more than them dont let them fob you off if they dont know much ask to be refered to an endocrologist. good luck

[selmaS]

sorry I can't help uu with ur blood levels, but I saw u posted over an hour ago and felt I should let u know u are not alone!!!I am waiting on U/S results of my thyroid and don't understand what any of the numbers mean either!
So we're both in the same boat....w/similar symptoms.

I hope someone who understands- answers u!

Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"