I wonder if anyone can help me with these results and brief overview - not sure where to go next.

[alliesp]

These are my test results

16th May 2013

TSH 2.62 (0.35 - 5.00)

Free T4 12.8 (9 - 22)

Ultasound scan of thyroid gland: diffusely enlarged hypervascular thyroid gland.

FSH 5.51 (no range) has dropped suggesting impending hypothyroidism

Thyroid Peroxidase antibody 1000 iu/ml (no Range)

21st November 2012

Cholesterol 5.5 (2 - 5) Abnormal

Gamma GT 22 (1 - 48)

Glucose 5.7 (3 - 6)

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate 6 (0 - 15)

Folate 5.3 (3 - 20)

Vitamin B12 248 (190 -910)

Have full blood count, U & E and Liver function if helpful

In November I felt really awful, had a lump my neck, frozen shoulder. The doctor sent me to a general surgeon, had various scans on my thyroid - not cancer. A few nodules that are too small to biopsy. The general surgeon then sent me to an endo as he said that my blood test showed that one area was rising and one was lowering and that I had Hashis.

I saw the Endo last week - Still feeling awful - who could not get on to the computer and was very dismissive and wants to see me in 6 months. He did say that it looked like I had the start of Vitillgo on my hand and neck, but should go back to the doctors for it and other symptoms.

I am wondering if all my symptoms have nothing to do with hypo and if I need to look else where.

I would also like to thank everyone for all the posts that I have learnt loads from in the last few months (slow but sinks in eventually).

I have all Hypo and some of hyper symptoms - so confused, deflated and lacking energy to push any more.

[Moggie]

Are you on any medication?

Moggie x

[alliesp in reply to Moggie]

No medication

[Moggie in reply to alliesp]

Poor you - your bloods indicate Hashimotos. You have a low T4, low B12 and high antibodies so how much more evidence does your endo want to treat you.

Have you have your VitD, iron and ferritin checked? You could be low in any of these which would make your symptoms worse. I would go back to your GP's and ask for a second opinion. Its not as scary as it sounds. The surgeon must have wanted you referred for a reason, not for you to be dismissed out of hand and I would be pointing this out to my GP. Try doing some research, or ask a question on here (answers must be PM'd though as naming doctors isn't allowed) about endo's in your local area. That way you aren't just send to anyone but an endo who deals in thyroid issues and not diabetes. Unfortunately it looks like you might have come across one of the many useless endo that will look at a tsh level and treat on that alone.

Start by either research your local hospital or asking a question on here to see if anyone has been to a good endo in your area.

Have a look at this list of signs and symptoms from the main thyroiduk website to see if they ring any bells with you.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Moggie x

[alliesp in reply to Moggie]

Thanks Moggie

[Hidden in reply to alliesp]

B12 and folate are very low. Have you had iron, ferritin and vit D checked? Do you have a result for MCV?

[alliesp in reply to Hidden]

my MCV is 95 (84 - 98) and I havnt had the others checked

[Moggie in reply to alliesp]

Have a look at this

easy-immune-health.com/mcv-...

Moggie x

[Hidden in reply to alliesp]

That's very high, suggestive of B12 and/or folate deficiency. You might want to have a look here:

pernicious-anaemia-society....

pernicious-anaemia-society....

and here:

b12d.org/

[PinkNinja in reply to alliesp]

I agree with hampster1. Shame doctors don't seem to realise how important this measurement is. My doctor said there was no need to worry about my MCV when it was 104! It was down to 96 last time, through adding B12 and folic acid (but mostly B12). Hopefully it's even lower now. Definitely listen to hampster1 on this one. It could most definitely explain your lack of energy as well as other things.

Carolyn x

[Stourie in reply to PinkNinja]

My mcv was 84.5 and the range is 85 - 105 but doc didn't even mention it. Should I go back to him.

Jo xx

[Hidden in reply to Stourie]

Have you ever had your iron and ferritin checked? Low MCV could be iron anaemia...

[PinkNinja in reply to Stourie]

I was going to say the same as hampster1

[Stourie in reply to PinkNinja]

yes I have. My ferritin is 79 ref range 13 - 150 mmol

iron 15 ref 5 - 28 umol

transferrin 2.49 2 - 4 g?L

% saturation of transferrin 24

22 - 55

Jo xx

[PinkNinja in reply to Stourie]

Although your ferritin is good, your other readings look a little low. I might be wrong but perhaps someone else can confirm.

Ferritin can be higher due to inflammation though, which is why the other iron labs are useful.

[Stourie in reply to PinkNinja]

Thanks for answering. I know that I should be asking my own questions but can,t at the moment. I have emailed the support team.

Jo xx

[shaws Administrator]

This is a link re hypo and other autoimmunes i.e. vitiligo etc.

thyroid.about.com/b/2007/04...

[alliesp in reply to shaws]

Thanks everyone for your replies and links. Have read a little, done the assessment and scored extremely high. I have also searched B12 and sweating and have found that its a common problem if you are low in B12. I think the next step is back to the doctors for the other blood tests and suggest that this might worth investigating. Would you suggest any other tests?

[Hidden in reply to alliesp]

Unless you have an amazingly fab GP, willing to treat on symptoms rather than lab ranges, you may find yourself subjected to the "you're normal" conversation.

You could give your doctor the B12d.org treatment protocol, with questionaire filled in, and ask for a trial loading dose of B12 injections:

b12d.org/sites/default/file...

You would also need to try and get the doc to prescribe 5mg folic acid at the same time. You won't get the best out of any B12 treatment without an adequate level of folate, top end of the range.

If the doc isn't interested in this, you could ask to be referred for the active B12 test:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

The relevant antibody tests that can be done (but aren't necessarily conclusive) are anti-parietal cells and anti-intrinsic factor.

Sorting out these deficiencies might improve your thyroid function, but ultimately you may also have Hashi's developing as well, as all these conditions are so closely linked.

If you're going to have further testing done please don't take any supplements in the meantime as they will skew the results.

Good luck, H x