Hi I'm hoping that some of you may be able to help...A few years ago I noticed a lump which turned out to be a multinodular goitre. Back in May 2014 I had bloods taken: TSH = 4.2, T4 = 11 and TPO = 476.
My gp said that all were in the normal range and just needed monitoring as it could lead to hashimotos.
Since then I have bloods tested on an annual basis..latest TSH=3.4, TPO = 602 (won't test T4/T3 etc as down to cost!)
I'm getting more and more symptoms though: increasing hairloss, thinning eyebrows, fluctuating heartrate (on Bisoprolol) constipation, depression, feeling cold, memory probs, tiredness etc.....
My gp tells me that my TSH is normal but due to cost won't do any of the other thyroid blood tests other than antibodies.
Do I insist on other bloods being tested and would I benefit from being on medication for my symptoms even though I'm in range? Any advice would be gratefully received!
Thanks
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Secretsquirrel46
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Secretsquirrel46 Your high antibodies mean that you have autoimmune thyroiditis aka Hashimoto's disease. Hashimoto's isn't treated, it's the resulting hypothyroidism that's treated. The antibody attacks will eventually destroy your thyroid and you will develop full blown hypothyroidism.
Dr Toft (ex president of British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist) wrote an article in Pulse Online magazine (the doctors' magazine) which says that if antibodies are present then patients should be prescribed levothyroxine to nip things in the bud. Email louise.roberts@thyroiduk.org and ask for a copy which you can then show to your doctor. Highlight this part:
"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."
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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.
It would also be a good idea to ask for vitamins and minerals to be tested. Hashi's causes gut/absorption problems and low nutrient levels is often seen in Hashi's patients. Ask for
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
and if Ferritin is low you want a full blood count and iron panel to see if there is iron deficiency anaemia.
Thank you for your reply SeasideSusie that's really helpful, I have an appointment with my gp in a few weeks time and will be discussing the points you raised and advice outlined in your reply and will post the outcome. Also looking into going gluten free....
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