Hi,
I've had Hashinitos for 17years. I take 225mg of thyroxine daily. Blood results from April showed normal T4 but high TSH. Dose was increased from 200-225. Last test showed normal T4 but high TSH and dr had ordered antibody screening which is also raised. I have a goitre ( always have but more noticeable these days. Talking about referral back to endocrinologist who I saw 3 years ago as I was thyrotoxic. I had spine surgery last year ( July) too. Please help feeling very concerned .
What do you mean by 'normal'? Do you have the actual number - with the range? It could be that it's still too low in the range for you to be well. Or it could be that you aren't converting it very well. But to know that, you would need the FT4 and the FT3 tested at the same time.
Livinbythesea Definitely get your test results as Greygoose has suggested. Also, as you have raised antibodies then you have autoimmune thyroiditis aka Hashimoto's disease. Hashi's isn't treated, it's the resulting hypothyroidism that's treated, but you can help yourself by trying to reduce the antibody attacks. Going 100% gluten free has been very helpful to a lot of Hashi's patients. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. Also supplementing with selenium helps reduce the attacks.
Some readying about Hashi's for you:
stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...
stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...
hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
I've had Hashimitos since diagnosis as I had 1700 antibodies at the time. I am already medically diagnosed as gluten intolerant and follow a strict g free diet. Hence my concern . my latest results T4 13.6; TSH 16.2; Anti TPO antibodies 1999.0 .
Why would THhe antibodies rise so high .
Feeling very concerned .
Livinbythesea I don't have Hashi's so am not an expert, just know what I have read. Gluten free isn't guaranteed to stop the antibody attacks, but can be useful for reducing them, as apparently can selenium so if you're not already supplementing with that it would be an idea to start. As the nature of the Hashi's beast is fluctuation, maybe it's a particularly bad antibody attack that's caused the very high result this time.
Push for the referral back to the endocrinologist who, hopefully, knows something about Hashi's although I understand some of them don't. But at the end of the day it's the hypothyroidism that's treated not the Hashi's.
Do you have the ranges for your tests? Your TSH is obviously well over range, but the FT4 may, depending on the range, be quite low. A FT3 test would be useful to see how well you are converting, as Greygoose mentioned. You could then see whether your meds need tweaking with the addition of T3 or maybe even changing to natural desiccated thyroid.
Thank you. Been back to go and having t3 tested along with all the b12, iodine etc and a scan too. Hopefully I'll start getting some answers xx
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