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[Sianl]

Diagnosed with depression and take citalopram

TSH 6.10 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 10.4 (12 - 22)

Free T3 3.8 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO antibody 759 (<34)

TG antibody 248.3 (<115)

Thank you

[greygoose]

Is that the only thyroid test you've ever had? Because that TSH says you're hypo. And, depression is a symptom of hypothyroidism. Did you not get a diagnosis of hypo, with those labs? You also have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - or Autoimmune Thyroiditis, as doctors like to call it - so you should be on thyroid hormone replacement. I think you need to have a few strong words with your doctor! You need thyroid hormone replacement, not citalopram. Depression is a symptom, not a disease.

[Sianl in reply to greygoose]

No I am not taking any thyroid medication or a diagnosis of hypo

[greygoose in reply to Sianl]

Well, it's time to put your foot down.

[shaws Administrator]

Why can doctors prescribe for a clinical symptom of hypothyroidism but give another type of medication for the symptom rather than levothyroxine.

You have a Autoimmune Thyroid Disease called Hashiomto's (hashi's for short) and it is the antibodies that attack your thyriod gland (wax and wane) until you are hypothyroid. Going gluten-free can help stop antibodies attacking your gland. The treatment for hypo and hashi's is the same - levothyroxine.

Due to having antibodies and your TSH not reaching 10 (you are still over-range but in te UK doctors have been told not to prescribe until TSH is 10. In other countries you'd be diagnosed when its around 3.

You are on far too low a dose of levothyroxine, your FT4 is below range and FT3 bottom of range when both should be towards the upper parts.

You need an increase in levothyroxine to bring FT4 and FT3 towards the upper part of the range and TSH to 1 or lower. Some doctors mistakenly believe that a TSH of 'somewhere' in the range is fine but they know nothing about how to diagnose/treat/clinical symptoms. We have to learn by ourselves by reading, asking questions and make sure we resolve our clinical symptoms.

All blood tests for thyroid hormones have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards.

[Sianl in reply to shaws]

I am not on any thyroid medication thank you

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forun, Sianl.

TSH over range and FT4 under range means you are overtly hypothyroid. Has your GP prescribed Levothyroxine?

Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine 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_...

[Sianl in reply to Clutter]

No I am not on thyroid medication thank you

[Clutter in reply to Sianl]

Sianl,

Did your GP do the blood tests or are they private tests you ordered?

[Sianl in reply to Clutter]

Thanks the GP did them but he said since TSH is below 10 I don't need treatment, is that right?

[Clutter in reply to Sianl]

Sianl,

No, he's wrong. He's assuming you have subclinical hypothyroidism because TSH is under 10 but subclinical hypothyroidism means FT4 and FT3 are in normal range. Your FT4 is below range so you are overtly hypothyroid and need Levothyroxine replacement. If GP is unsure he should consult with colleagues or an endocrinologist.

Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

From NICE:

Primary hypothyroidism (95% of cases) occurs when the thyroid gland is unable to produce thyroid hormones because of iodine deficiency or an abnormality within the gland itself. It is categorized as:

Overt hypothyroidism (OH) — TSH levels are above the normal reference range (usually above 10 mU/L) and free T4 is below the normal reference range.

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) — TSH levels are above the normal reference range and T3 and T4 are within the reference range.

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...