Finally got an endo-appointment. Advice?

[Ninatz]

hi all,

I am excited! Finally got an appointment with an endocrinologist in August! It has been uphill trying to get to see one as none in Tanzania where I live, so have been trying to get to see one on my holiday in Australia in July/August.

Any good advice when going there?

I have low ferritin, and above range TgAb.

Other results have been within range - FT3 has been under range at one occasion. TSH at around 1.5 and FT4 13-15

My biggest issues are fatigue, muscle pain, flatulence and chronic diarrhoea.

Thanks - have a great day!

[Clutter]

Ninatz,

Are you taking Levothyroxine? Have you had vitamin D, B12 and folate tested?

Ask your GP to do a coeliac screen (tissue transglutaminase) to rule out gluten intolerance causing diarrhoea.

You can raise low ferritin by supplementing iron. Take each iron tablet with 1,000mg vitamin C to aid absorption and minimise constipation.

[Ninatz in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter

No not on any mess as I don't have any diagnosis yet.

Been on some iron tablets (250mg) which made no difference (in fact it fell even further). I know I need a higher dose.

I have been thinking about gluten... so will ask for that for sure. And also the vitamins.. they haven't been checked.

Thanks for your advice

[Clutter in reply to Ninatz]

Ninatz,

TSH 1.5 is euthyroid (normal) and FT4 13-15 is normal for most people in the UK.

Above range TgAb means you have autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's) which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. In the UK you wouldn't get a diagnosis of hypothyroidism until TSH is over range (usually >5) or FT4 is below range.

You may delay progression to hypothyroidism by supplementing 200mcg selenium daily. There is no cure for Hashimoto's. Treatment is for the low thyroid levels it eventually causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies. If you are going to request a coeliac screen you should delay going g-f until after the blood test as normal amounts of gluten need to be eaten daily otherwise you will get a false negative result.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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