Should I be worried?

[Jcats]

Hi everyone, I’ve just received my blood test results (photo attached).

The surgery texted to say I was borderline underactive with positive antibodies but no treatment required, have another blood test in 3 months.

I’ve have the majority of symptoms on the list and I’m anxious at the approach to just leave it. I’m so frustrated with the symptoms and really want to get this sorted.

This is all new to me so any input and advice on these results would be greatly appreciated. Many Thanks

[bluebug]

If it is the first thyroid test you have then unfortunately you are going to have to have it repeated to confirm your elevated level wasn't a one off. This means you have to wait 3 months.

Your ferritin level while in range is lower than it should be. It should be halfway in the reference range at least. However no NHS doctor will treat you for your level so you will need to self treat. Your ferritin level while low shouldn't be low enough to make you feel completely awful.

You are missing vitamin B12, folate and vitamin D tests. I suggest you go back to the doctor, tell them you feel terrible and ask them to test these before taking any supplements of any kind. Low vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels make people feel terrible. Your GP may decide to refuse to test vitamin B12 and folate based on your red blood cell test results however it is still worth asking. Also if you have been mostly indoors for the last 12 months stress to your GP that you have been housebound for over a year as this will help your argument for a vitamin D test.

[Jcats in reply to bluebug]

Thanks for your reply bluebug, much appreciated

[Clutter]

Jcats,

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

Dr A Toft, consultant physician and endocrinologist at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, wrote in Pulse Magazine, that in the presence of positive thyroid antibodies a "...pragmatic approach is to recognise that the thyroid failure is likely to become worse and try to nip things in the bud rather than risk loss to follow-up." In other words, there's no point in waiting, your GP should prescribe Levothyroxine to replace low thyroid hormone now. Read the article in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... and email [e-mail] for a copy of the Pulse article if you wish to show it to your GP.

Ferritin is optimal half way through range so you may want to supplement iron to raise it. Take each iron tablet with 1,000mg vitamin C to aid absorption and minimise constipation. Take iron 4 hours away from Levothyroxine.

The white cell and full blood count evaluations are in range.

[Jcats in reply to Clutter]

Thanks for your reply Clutter Louise has sent me the article so I'll take it to show the Doc when I make my plea to start treatment now.

[bluebug]

Btw you have autoimmune thyroid disease.