Medichecks results - please can anyone advise.

[floss76]

Hi,

I have posted on here recently but since have decided to have a full thyroid check done privately. Results are:

TSH 5.05 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.20)

Free thyroxine 14.2 pmol/L (12.00 - 22.00)

T4 80.1 nmol/L (59.00 - 154.00)

Free T3 4.38 pmol/L (3.10 - 6.80)

Thyroglobulin Ab 87.90 IU/mL (0.00 - 115.00)

TPO Ab 350 IU/mL (0.00 - 34.00)

They state that the TSH is elevated and may indicate under active thyroid, also high TPO antibodies confirm autoimmune thyroid disease.

My main symptoms are fatigue, dry skin, heavier periods. My G.P is not interested in treating me, so not sure what to do.

I do have Dr Tofts article but still worried about going back to the G.P.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

floss76 If you want to be treated then you're going to have to fight your corner.

Somewhere in the Pulse article written by Dr Toft, he says

"The combination of a normal serum T4 and raised serum TSH is known as subclinical hypothyroidism. If measured, serum T3 will also be normal. Repeat the thyroid function tests in two or three months in case the abnormality represents a resolving thyroiditis. But if it persists then antibodies to thyroid peroxidase should be measured.

If these are positive – indicative of underlying autoimmune thyroid disease – the patient should be considered to have the mildest form of hypothyroidism.

In the absence of symptoms some would simply recommend annual thyroid function tests until serum TSH is over 10mU/l or symptoms such as tiredness and weight gain develop. But a more 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."

Obviously, you've already had more than one test and you know you have positive antibodies, so point out the last sentence and ask to be started on Levo. If refused, ask for a referral to an endocrinologist.

If you are referred to an endo, email [e-mail] for the list of thyroid friendly endos then ask on the forum for feedback on any in your area. No point in going to one who is a diabetes specialist who knows very little about thyroid and takes the same approach as your GP.

As far as Hashi's is concerned, you can help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

[floss76 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you SeasideSusie,

I did ask to be referred to an Endocrinologist but have found out that an appt is not going to be offered. So have no choice but to go back to the G.P. I will try again but don't hold out much hope. I will ask on the forum for feedback.

I will try the gluten free diet and purchase Selenium.

Thank you for your help.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Is it possible to see another GP in the practice?

Very few GP's seem to understand thyroid disease

Your high antibodies confirm you definitely have Hashimoto's or autoimmune thyroid disease.

Very common to also have low vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Ask GP to test these. Always make sure you get the actual results and ranges

You can say you have taken advice from the NHS recommended thyroid support group

Testing all these vitamins as well as the thyroid tests is possible via Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin, private option, when you retest in few months (after going strictly gluten free ) if you can not get GP to recognise that you have Hashimoto's

Meanwhile definitely worth just checking vitamin D and supplementing if need be -£28 postal kit

betteryou.com/vitamin-d-tes...

hypothyroidmom.com/92-of-ha...

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH. Did you do that last time?

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet very likely to help reduce symptoms. Very, very many of us here find it really helps and can slowly lower antibodies.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

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

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

[floss76 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon,

Thanks for your reply. Yes I will try to see another G.P and I definitely get the impression that there is little understanding or to even give you any advice. My G.P said my high antibodies were nothing to worry about. I know my Ferritin levels were done and low at 11 (15-300), also lowish Hb, so now taking iron supplements. I don't recall B12 or Vit D being done so will ask for it or go private.

Yes I did do the private test in the morning.

Looking at other results on here makes me feel like I'm making a fuss but I do feel fatigued most of the time and it affects my daily life.

I will try gluten free diet, just need to restock the cupboards!

Thank goodness for this forum otherwise I'd think I was losing the plot.

Thank you for your great advice SlowDragon.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to floss76]

I had twenty years of hell (so say "correctly" treated, before I found out the importance of vitamins and gluten through this support group (more on my profile)

[floss76 in reply to SlowDragon]

Blimey, that's a lot of years suffering! Did you have to fight your corner too?

I'll have a look through your profile!