I followed the advice on here and had my blood tests early (7.30am!) after fasting.
My results are as follows:
3 months ago 1 Year ago
TSH 4.01 (range 0.27-4.2) TSH 3.17 TSH 2.81
FT4 13.3 (range 10-21) FT4 13.32 FT4 -
My only abnormal results were:
MCV 101.7 (77-98) MCV 99.9 MCV 97.7
MCH 34.8 (27.5-32.5) MCH 33.8
I have read that hypothyroidism can cause this?
Ferritin, B12 and Vitamin D had all improved with supplements and were in range (just) I am continuing to take supplements to raise these higher.
Ferritin 42.1 (41-100) was only 15.2 3 months ago
B12 582 (180-2000) was 319 3 months ago
Vitamin D 73.2 (adequate)
I also have TPOab which have increased from 204 to 329 (>100) and a family history of thyroid problems (sister and Grandma) also autoimmune illnesses. I have also had my gallbladder removed and have discovered that the slowed metabolism (hypothyroidism) also causes gallstones and problems with the gallbladder and liver.
I have many symptoms of hypothyroidism, but the GP said TSH is in range.
I haven't made an appointment since receiving these latest results and need advice.
Thanks.
Written by
ali7967
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I'm sorry you are not feeling well. If you have high antibodies the doctor should have prescribed levothyroxine as antibodies indicate an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease called Hashimotos.
Unfortunately your GP is toeing the line that states we shouldn't be prescribed until the TSH is 10 whereas in other countries we will be prescribed if it reaches 3+.
email louise.warvill@thyroiduk.org and ask for a copy of Dr Toft's Pulse Online article wherein he states if antibodies present, to 'nip things in the bud' a prescription should be issued.
It seems to me that the worst things doctors can do is only go by the TSH result without querying about clinical symptoms. For hypo there are around 300.
Your TSH is rising and without treatment you will become sicker as your thyroid is being attacked by antibodies.Your B12 could do to be much higher in the range.
Your high MCV and MCH seem to indicate macrocytic anaemia, caused either by B12 or folate deficiency. I'm surprised your GP hasn't done anything about either, but don't suppose I should be surprised. Have you had your folate levels tested? High folate levels can mask a true B12 deficiency and your levels 3 months ago would certainly indicate problems as neurological symptoms can manifest at levels below 500. That said, once you start to supplement, serum blood tests are as good as useless for B12 - the fact that you've been supplementing and still only show a level of 582 would seem to indicate a problem to me.
That said, I'm not a medical professional, just a fellow sufferer who has had to find her own way with the help of the folks on here.
I have had one B12 injection privately, and have been supplementing with sublingual B12. Unfortunately, the injection made me feel ill-hot and very anxious and I am scared to have any more. A high dose of B12 makes me feel weird and gives me panic attacks. Is this normal?
I honestly can't say if it's normal. I noticed when I first started was that I'd get very tired after a high dose and had to sleep. I always felt fine when I awoke - it was almost like my body realised I'd given it something to heal so sleeping was the best way to utilise it. As I've raised my levels, that has stopped happening. I've read some posts where people almost seem to be worse initially when raising their levels, whether by injection or sublinguals. Others may have more advice than me.
Certainly I've noticed that most of the anxiety that I used to have has now disappeared almost completely - I'd just assumed that worrying about nearly everything was just a part of getting older. I'm quite relieved that it's not been the case for me!
Have you tried b12 subcutaneous. It's less of a shock to your system than intramuscular. It leaches through to blood stream from the fat in over 3 days. I take them like this and I'm fine. Also I find them very calming.
How do you get a subcutaneous injection? The intramuscular injection was given by a well respected B12 expert. When I got home I felt very tired and hot. I woke in the early hours shaking and crying, I was in a real mess. It frightened me so much, I didn't go back. My anxiety levels were through the roof. I have been quartering my 300mcg tablets and still feeling a bit strange. My husband has taken them without any effects.
I have similar results with you. I was feeling bad and they were not treating me because TSH was in range. I told them I want to get pregnant ( although I wasn't planning at that point) and they put me on thyroxine considering your tsh has to be <2 during pregnancy.
Unfortunately at 48, I don't think my doctor would take me seriously if I said I was thinking about getting pregnant. I have an appointment with a private endo in 2 weeks time and am hoping he will be able to help. Fingers crossed.
I thought it worth a punt as I am completely bewildered at the moment. And you came through and I have rescue donkeys (French Poitou crosses - so horse size) thank you a million times over
Yes I did start treatment in January with tsh around 2.25 and t4 was 1.2 I think. My tpo antibodies were 49 (0-9) when tested last June. I had to have an argument to treat it, but then I didn't start until January when I found out I have osteoporosis. I started on 25mcg. Then on the next test tsh was 2.9 and t4 went up. My last blood work showed tsh was 1.32, t4 wasn't tested this time. I was on 50mcg then and had started on 25 mcg for the first 6 weeks.
I stopped it for 3 days last week because my blood sugar was very high and then I had to start again because I had a terrible headache. Oddly enough when I took 25mcg my headache got better. So I'm back on a lower dose now, except last night I got confused and I think I may have taken 50mcg, hopefully not. lol.
I'm not really sure if I want to continue on it due to the high bg, but I will see how it goes on 25mcg for a week and if my bg is ok I will stick with that for a while. I just hope my body isn't hooked on this stuff because I don't want to go through a withdrawal etc. if I have to get off it completely.
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Hypothyroidism check. Blood results.
Feeling fine but TSH is low
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