Blood Results

[Lg1983]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone can help me make sense of these results? Ive tried to research this myself but there seems to be a wealth of information that doesn't correspond. My gp has been terrible throughout the whole process and I want to be armed with the correct information before confronting her. These results were actually sent to me in a referral letter to an endocrinologist by my rheumatologist.

TSH 7.06

T4 21.6

Positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies - 886

That's all the information the letter has. Im currently on 50mcg levothyroxine.

Many thanks

Leigh.

[shaws Administrator]

Your TSH is too high for someone on levothyroxine. 50mcg is a starting dose and should be increased by 25mcg increments every six weeks (with blood test) until TSH is 1 or lower.

You have an Autoimmune Thyroid Diseasse called Hashimoto's and the antibodies attack your thyroid gland until you are hypothyroid. You can reduce antibodies by eating gluten-free food. Sometimes you may feel hyper as antibodies attack and at other times they lower.

Ideally you should put the ranges after the results as lab differ and it makes it easier to comment.

Always get a print-out from the surgery and the ranges should be quoted on it.

You can tell GP you've had advice/info from the NHS Choices for help/advice about dysfunctions of the thyroid gland.

Blood tests have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a 24 hour gap between last dose of levo and test and take afterwards.

If he hasn't checked B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate ask for these too as we can be deficient.

GPs know little about treating or symptoms.

[Lg1983 in reply to shaws]

Many thanks for your reply.

After advice from my last post I went back to my gp and full bloods however they lost the results, twice. This was sent to me by my rheumatologist as she, not my gp has referred me to a specialist. There were no ranges on the letter so wasn't sure what to put.

Thanks again. I can now again go back to my gp with more information she will do nothing with!