Thyroid Normal?

[gemsee]

Hello,

I recently joined the forum and asked a question about my "normal" blood results and I was told to get a copy of my results and post them in a new question, so here they are...

Serum TSH level 1.20 mu/L

Serum free T4 level 19.4 pmol/L

The other tests were testing serum electrolytes and full blood count - I'm not sure if these are relevant.

I have Pernicious Anaemia and after several trips to the surgery I had the loading dose injections in March this year and now have 3 monthly injections.

I was worried I may have Hashimoto's disease as I've been experiencing a lot of the symptoms and I am aware that there is a link between pernicious anaemia and Hashimoto's as they are auto-immune issues.

I spoke to my gp who told me that my thyroid is normal and diagnosed with depression. She offered me anti-depressants and told me there was nothing else she can do.

I've since found out more about Hashimoto's and understand that I should be tested for the antibodies. I know that in the early stages of Hashimoto's the TSH levels are considered normal in a blood test.

I will ask my gp to test the antibodies but I am wondering if I would be experiencing symptoms if my thyroid has not yet been damaged enough to affect the TSH levels.

I am also aware that there are several issues that have the same symptoms so I am worried that I'm barking up the wrong tree with this thyroid issue. If anyone has any advice it would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

[Marz]

Hashimotos is the most common of thyroid conditions throughout the world - so I am always surprised that people are not routinely tested. Possibly down to costs. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos in 2005 and all the TFT's were in range - high anti-bodies and a scan revealing nodes clinched the Hashimotos diagnosis and treatment began.

I think it is important to go with how you are feeling. Are you sure the three monthly B12 injection is adequate for you ? Could it be that you need it more often ? So many people seem to. Symptoms of Low B12 can mimic Hypo symptoms.

I think your GP would also feel depressed if she had PA and only a jab every 3 months. They just love diagnosing depression - even without a blood test !! We often comment on this forum how Docs say your thyroid is normal from the TSH test and yet they can hand out AD's without a blood test.

You can buy B12 injections on-line and treat yourself or top up in between injections with a B12 lozenge or a spray. I personally would PUSH for more frequent injections.

Have you posted on the PAS forum as well ? May be a good idea

[Jazzw in reply to Marz]

Seconded - three monthly B12 injections don't seem to be enough for most of the folk who post here with PA. Not saying it's not possible you have Hashi's but those results are looking pretty normal. I think it's more likely you need your B12 more frequently.

[gemsee]

Thank you both for your advice.

I don't think it's the pernicious anaemia that is making me feel so bad. My GP found I was b12 deficient around 2 years ago. I had loading doses but was told I didn't have pernicious anaemia and didn't need regular injections (I am a vegetarian). My b12 levels kept dropping despite me increasing my b12 intake and taking supplements. It took around 3 months after the loading doses to start feeling ill again and took 18 months for my b12 levels to drop below normal so I think my injections being every 3 months is fine for me.

The symptoms are different to how I felt before. The main things are that it is impossible to lose weight even though my metabolism was really good until around a year ago, at first I lost weight and then I slowly gained weight. I'm now stuck at this weight and can't lose it no matter what I do. Also I feel like I'm losing my mind because I'm experiencing very bad mood swings for no reason. Sometimes I just need to cry and feel like I can't stop, I feel like I'm unable to cope with things and then I'm suddenly really frustrated and angry.

I am exhausted all the time and keep taking naps through the day when I can. Anytime I get off work I don't want to do anything except sit on my sofa. Although every now and again I suddenly feel like I'm really excited about something and can't help fidgeting or shaking my leg.

When my b12 levels were low I was exhausted but it was like I was in a fog. My mood was ok, I was just dopey. I didn't want to do anything except sit and sleep but one of the first signs that I know my b12 is low is that my vision gets blurry. So this seems like something different to my low b12.

[Jazzw in reply to gemsee]

Do you know if your GP tested your intrinsic factor, or whether he just assumed your B12 deficiency was due to being vegetarian? Or whether there was another underlying cause, like coeliac?

chriskresser.com/b12-defici...

I wouldn't be so quick to rule out the B12 deficiency (am I missing something? You say you have pernicious anaemia but your doctor said you didn't have it...) as being a cause of not being able to lose weight. If you don't want to do very much, you don't need much food to maintain your weight right where it is.

That said, Hashi's is more than possible, given that if you have one autoimmune problem, you're very likely to get another.

[Clutter]

Gemsee, some GPs won't test thyroid antibodies unless thyroid levels are abnormal. It doesn't make any difference whether antibodies are negative or positive, you won't get a hypothyroid diagnosis until thyroid levels are abnormal. Yours are unequivocally euthyroid (normal) with TSH 1.20 and very good FT4 19.4.

You can order private thyroid antibody tests from Blue Horizon and Genova via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin... There is value in knowing whether you are negative or positive. If positive, a gluten-free diet can slow progression of the disease and delay onset of hypothyroidism. Some members have found a gluten-free diet has helped them lose weight too.

If you're slumping in between 3 monthly B12 injections supplement 5,000mcg methylcobalamin to top up when you need to.