Thyroid results - should I have MMA, homocysteine checked too?

[pj16]

Hi all. I received the results of thyroid tests from Blue Horizon.

TOTAL THYROXINE(T4) 99 nmol/L 59 - 154

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 2.69 mIU/L 0.27 - 4.2

(This was taken late morning. Recent test with Medichecks was 3.34 mIU/L 0.27 - 4.20)

FREE THYROXINE 16.0 pmol/l 12.0 - 22.0

FREE T3 4.0 pmol/L 3.1 - 6.8

Thyroglobulin Antibody * 431.0 IU/mL 0-115

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies 10.6 IU/mL 0 - 34

I am desperate to get to the bottom of my symptoms and suspect there is more than one issue going on. My main symptoms are leg/foot pain (and recently new burning shins!), tingling/numbness hands/feet, cold extremities, weight gain, high heart rate when walking, epigastric pain, bloating, gas, constipation, hair loss etc, etc!

Other recent tests which may be relevant are

Serum vitamin B12 177 ng/L (145 – 910)

Folate (serum) 6.56 ug/L (2.91 - 50.00)

25 OH Vitamin D 62.9 nmol/L (50.00 - 200.00)

Iron *27.07 umol/L (6.60 - 26.00)

TIBC 69.17 umol/L (41.00 - 77.00)

Transferrin saturation 39.14 % (20.00 - 55.00)

Ferritin 37 ug/L (13.00 - 150.00)

Haemoglobin (G/L) 129g/L (115 - 155)

HCT 0.379 L/L (0.33 - 0.45)

Red cell count 4.11 x10^12/L (3.95 - 5.15)

MCV 92 fl (80.00 - 99.00)

MCH 31.4 pg (26.00 - 33.50)

MCHC (G/L) 342 g/L (300.00 - 350.00)

RDW 14.0 % (11.50 - 15.00)

I have an appointment to see my GP next week but I suspect she will say my thyroid results are fine but are they?

Does anyone think it's still worth having MMA, homocysteine levels or anything else tested?

[Foggyme Administrator]

Hi pj16.

Your Thyroglobulon Antibody is raised 431.0 (0-115) - this is a positive result for Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis. Best to post all your thyroid results on the thyroid UK forum. They will be better able to advices about the other results and treatment you should expect etc.

So...your symptoms may well be due to the Hashimoto's.

However, I think I recall that your serum B12 level was falling over time - and those with Hashimoto’s are more at risk of B12 deficiency and other absorption problems.

It's going to be quite difficult to determine whether your symptoms are due to Hashimoto’s, B12 deficiency...or a combination of both.

MMA test might help to clarify (it will be raised if your cells are short of B12)...but a normal result now does not mean that you will not go on to develop B12 deficiency in the future (many with Hashimoto’s do).

Homocysteine more to do with folate than B12...but worth doing if you're get the MMA done.

So hmmm...in view of your steadily falling serum B12 levels (now in the grey area - as per previous reply from Gambit), your ongoing symptoms and the known connection between Hashimoto’s and B12 deficiency, if would be reasonable to ask your GP for a trial of B12 injections (also given all the reasons discussed in my previous replies to you).

And, of course...treatment for your Hashimoto’s (of which I am entirely ignorant - Thyroid UK forum can advise about that 😉😀).

Hopefully, getting closer to answers...and treatment...fingers crossed for you 🤞.

P.s other blood results are as discussed in reply to one of your previous posts 😉

[pj16 in reply to Foggyme]

Hi Foggyme. Hope you are well and thanks for replying. Does it sound mad to say that I'm a bit shocked but pleased? I've been so used to being told everything is 'normal' that it's perversely satisfying to get an abnormal result. Twisted thinking eh? I suppose that's a sign of desperation for answers. I've an appointment to see GP next week (for vulvodynia and stomach issues for the umpteenth time) so I'll discuss private results with her then. Must admit I'm a tad nervous! Will continue to post updates.

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to pj16]

Shocked and pleased...no twisted thinking and not mad at all pj16. To my mind, twisted thinking is doctors insisting there's nothing wrong when someone is clearly unwell. And madness equals using inappropriate 'lables' (anxiety, depression, CFS, MS, Fibromyalgia and oh,so many more) without investigating properly - if st all, in some cases. So I get it 😉😀.

Just thinking back to previous 'conversations'...it seems you now have two autoimmune conditions (vulvodynia and Hashimoto’s)...or was it three (was psoriasis in the mix...can't remember)...and also autoimmune conditions in the family. Hope,your GP agreed to run an auto-antibody screen...🤞. Curious to see what that may (or may not) reveal.

Good luck.

[pj16 in reply to Foggyme]

Thanks Foggyme. When you put it like that I couldn't agree more!

Yes, so far in my family I know of Parkinson's and psoriasis. I had ANA blood test taken almost five weeks ago but still no result (NHS). Is this what you mean by auto-antibody screen? Aside from this I've only had the thyroid antibody tests done with Blue Horizon. When I see GP on Wednesday I might pluck up the courage to ask for Coeliac test. At least I can tell her that 4 weeks on Omeprazole has made no difference to my stomach issues. I think her next planned move is to refer me to gastroenterologist. I'm hoping a consultant might order more tests.

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to pj16]

Yes...ANA test is a start and good plan to see a gastroenterologist...though this might be a bit hit and miss on the B12 front because many are not as knowledgable as they should be. But fingers crossed 🤞.

Do ask GP for Coeliac test - but remember, won't work if you've been gluten free (can't remember) - need to have been eating gluten for six weeks prior to test.

ANA does take ages to come back from labs, so hang on in there 😉.

Hope the Thyroid forum gave you some good advice about treatment you can expect for your Hashimoto’s (here GPs are not to good at that either 🤨).

Good luck with your GP.