Help analysing blood results please.

[Lettie999]

Hello, my Cousin J has been diagnosed as having M.E., as I and another Cousin have been diagnosed as having Hypothyroidism I have nagged him into getting his Thyroid checked, the results can be seen below;

Serum TSH Level (PM) – Normal 1.9 mu/l (0.4-4.9)

R Anti-thyroid TPO abs <1 iu/ml (0-30)

(PM)-Normal, no action

Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies negative

J has been told that his results are normal and that his thyroid is not to blame for his ill health, is this right? I am only just getting used to all this thyroid stuff and have no clue how to interpret the above, all I know is my bloods came back as normal but I was lucky enough to have private health cover which allowed me to see Doctor S.

Thank you in advance and keep well

Colette xxx

[PinkNinja]

It could be his thyroid. His TSH may be above what is normal for him. It would have been really useful if his doctor had also done T4 and T3 tests though.

Other things to check are the usual 5 suspects; serum iron, ferritin (above 120 for men, I think), vitamin B12, folate and vitamin D. These could also be contributing to his symptoms and are rather common deficiencies in people with hypothyroidism.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Carolyn x

[Jackie]

Hi I agree with above, Caroline always right! When I first started treatment only my FT3 was low, it was very low.My TSH immeasurable. This is years ago. i have Hashimoto. Also be sure he has a Diabetes test, he does not need to be fat etc. Hormone ,autoimmune condition. To start with similar symptoms to thyroid disease.

Jackie

[Lettie999]

Thank you both, i am really grateful for your replies. I am convinced it is J's thyroid which is making him ill as his symptoms are identical to mine. All help on here is gratefully appreciated by both of us, I am determined we will both be well again :)) Take care and thank you. Colette x

Ps sorry but the page would not allow me to reply directly to Carolyn or Jackie, probably the fault of my decrepit iPhone!

[waveylines]

Hi Lettie -I too in the past been diagnosed with ME. Looking up Dr Lowes work is worthwhile as he believed that many ME sufferers are suffering from multiple hormone problems -most commonly thyroid and adrenal deficiency. This is certainly the case for myself but I also discovered I was vit D & B12 deficient. (b12 is important in the uptake of thyroid hormones) I also have done much better on a natural dessicated thyroid treatment like Erfa rather than the standard Levothyroxine. I also felt much better when I cut most grains out of my diet.

I am now considered fully recovered from ME by the medics but was formerly diagnosed with hypothyroidism as a consequence of ME by a NHS Specialist about 3 years after my ME diagnosis.

In truth I think the trouble is when you are borderline on the blood tests as I was for many years they will not act -this leads to feeling really tired and ill -and all the other stuff that comes with that. Your cousin will need tot get very genned up and he is very lucky that he has such a supportive cousin like yourself looking out for him. If hypothyroidism is in your family the medics really really should be following this through more.....but be prepared for a fight! xx

[Lettie999 in reply to waveylines]

Thank you wavylines, I will look into Erfa for myself too as the Nutra adrenal seems to be making me flare up. I will show J your response, I just want him to be better and he has suffered enough. I hope you feel well, take care of yourself. Colette xxx

[Lettie999 in reply to Lettie999]

Ps your history sadly mirrors J's, makes me so mad that doctors can treat people this way.

[Hidden]

Often people get mis diagnosed with ME because this country do not properly test for it.

Because the HPA axis is affected in ME all of your hormones can be affected.

Also adrenal problems are common in ME. You may want to get them tested as well as a proper thyroid test.

B12 and vit d low also common in M.E.

You do not recover from proper neuro M.E. but you can from post viral fatigue.

There are so many causes of chronic fatigue, and this terrible label the NHS love so much gets them out of having to tests properly for other illnesses.

I found that HC really helps me with my M.E.

Dr Myhill has also been very helpful. x

[Lettie999]

Thank you thyroidangel, Dr Myhill? Where are they based? I say a doctor at an M.E clinic in Nuneton before I saw Doctor S, I wasn't impressed, there seems to be no motivation by the NHS to get to the bottom of M.E / endo issues. I am showing all the responses to J, it is helpful to see how many people's experiences mirror his. Keep well Colette xxx

[Hidden]

Dr Myhill is based in wales, her website is drmyhill.co.uk/ it has lots of helpful info on it.

The NHS are rubbish with ME and endo, simply because it saves them money!

Its so wrong.

Tell J to have a look online and contact the charity invest in me, they should be able to help provide more info about ME and where to go for help.