TSH 46!

[Puska]

I'm a newbie to this forum but not to Hashimotos. I've had it for 30 years with clinically low T3/T4 and high TSH prior to medication which is currently 150mcg day. Have >1600 TPO antibodies when the lab limit is <100. So all those years ago it was an easy diagnosis. I've never had a goitre. My thyroid is basically non functioning

Having had a DVT 18 months ago in my neck and subsequent testing I've got multiple auto immune issues now that are systemic. So under the care of a rheumatologist. The thyroid issues were only under the care of the GP.

Last blood test showed mid range T3 and T4 but weirdly TSH of 46. Makes no sense. The lab ran the test twice. I will have a followup test in 6 weeks but all I can find is reference to a pituitary issue - tumour. Anyone shed some light for me?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you by chance taking any supplements with biotin in?

E.g. Vitamin B complex

Biotin can falsely affect blood tests

If so stop taking 3-5 days before future blood tests

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

upwellness.com/biotin-and-y...

Also if you still have very high antibodies have you considered gluten free diet to help lower them (and many also find reduces symptoms)

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

chriskresser.com/why-changi...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

[Puska in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi. The only supplement I was taking was VitD but I ran out a few weeks ago. I am on other meds for lupus and APS - plaquenil and an anticoagulant but I've been on those now for about a year and not new drugs.

[Puska in reply to SlowDragon]

Re the gluten free diet - I try avoid breads as they make me bloated but I don't tend to do much else. I was tested for Coeliac a few years ago and the level of antibodies was close to but under the clinical minimum but instinctively I try avoid.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Puska]

On 5% with Hashimoto's test positive for coeliac, but over 80% do significantly better absolutely 100% gluten free, either due to actually being gluten intolerant (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten molecular mimicry

When strictly gluten free TPO antibodies should eventually slowly start to reduce.

You need to eat as if coeliac. Avoid all hidden gluten, e.g. Beer, larger, pickles, sauces, marmite etc.

Watch out for cross contamination, eg shared butter and toaster

Best to try it for at least 3-6 months. If it helps, then stick on it.

[jimh111]

How are you doing? Do you have symptoms of hypo or hyper thyroidism? I would ask your doctor to check your selenium levels low selenium can cause high TSH. It will also help if you ask your doctor for the actual blood test results, the numbers, as 'mid-range' can cover quite a range of values.

[ITYFIALMCTT]

Just to second the above, it might be easier for people to comment in a useful manner if you can provide the numbers and their ranges from your blood work results.

Do you have any blood work that shows your recent vitamin and mineral levels as it's often advised here that taking thyroid hormones when these levels are not optimal means that the hormones rarely work effectively.

I hope that they can identify the cause of the high TSH as rapidly as possible and correct it for you.

[greygoose]

Why do you say you don't have Hashi's? If your TPO abs are that high, you absolutely do have Hashi's.

Is it possible for you to have your next blood test analysed in a different laboratory? There could be contamination with TSH antibodies.

[Puska]

I do have hashimotos. Sorry - I meant I wasn't new to it :). I need to get the actual levels from my GP and will post them in a couple of days. The antibodies test was done in 2004. I also have APS and probable lupus so have had reams of tests done. Vitamin D - I take drops so that is high normal. I think that's the only Vit tested. Have positive ANA and Lupus Anticoagulant. It's hard to separate Lupus symptoms from Thyroid but I'm certainly symptomatic for both. Very cold. Losing eyebrow line. Raynauds. The Thyroid test really jumped out as abnormal to the rheumatologist. I've checked previous tests over the last 20 years and the highest TSH was around 8.