Hashimoto's?

[IDSNH]

Hello. I recently received results from blood tests (upon suggestion from a functional medicine dr.). T3 2.3, T4 .96, Thyroid Peroxidase AB 24, Thyroglobulin Antibody 1.5, TSH 2.89 (TSH a few months ago of 3.26).

Does this suggest Hashimoto's? If so, what is the best way to treat? Conventional or Functional medicine? I am struggling with horrific eczema and wondered if this is the cause?

Thank you.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

IDSNH Can we have the reference ranges for your results please, as they vary from lab to lab we need the ones that your lab uses otherwise we can't interpret the results.

[IDSNH in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. T3 2.2-4.0, T4 .76-1.46, Thy Peroxidase 0-34 (mine 24), Antibody 0-.9, TSH .36-3.74

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to IDSNH]

T3 2.3, (2.2-4.0) - low in range

T4 .96, (.76-1.46) - low in range

Thyroid Peroxidase AB 24, (0-34) - in range but nearer the higher end, doesn't confirm Hashi's but keep an eye on it as one negative doesn't rule it out, you'd need several negative results over a period of time

Thyroglobulin Antibody 1.5, ???

TSH 2.89 (.36-3.74) - in range but at the higher end

Antibody 0-.9, - can you please check this as it doesn't make sense as .9 is lower than 0 so it can't be 0-.9 Also is this for the Thyroglobulin antibody test?

As you are consulting a functional medicine doctor who suggested these tests, what has he/she said about the results? If you're looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism then you wont get one with those results, but they do show your thyroid is struggling with a high in range TSH and low in range FT4 and FT3.

[IDSNH in reply to SeasideSusie]

Range for Antibody says 0.0-0.9

Only met with functional med doc once for a consult. Honestly, cannot afford his practice (hubby lost his job 6 months ago & have 2 kids in college - for now), so did these tests under my insurance and wanted to see which route to go to treat.. I went in for horrific eczema on my hands and when he read all my tests and told him my symptoms, he suggested Hashimoto.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to IDSNH]

Range for Antibody says 0.0-0.9

Ah, well that's very different from 0 - .9

You haven't said whether that is the range for Thyroglobulin Antibody. If it is, and your result is 1.5 then you are over range for TG antibodies.

Here is what LabTestsOnline says about thyroid antibodies

labtestsonline.org.uk/under...

So if the TG antibodies aren't being tested as part of monitoring of treatment for thyroid cancer, then positive TG antibodies can be present in autoimmune thyroid disease - so very possibly Hashimoto's with only TG antibodies positive and not TPO (at present).

[IDSNH in reply to SeasideSusie]

I am sorry, I am confused. This is the range for Thyroglo Anti.. 0.0-0.9

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to IDSNH]

So as it's the range for Throglobulin (TG) antibodies, and your result is 1.5, then what I said in my previous reply applies.

[IDSNH in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for your help!

[IDSNH in reply to SeasideSusie]

So, doc is suggesting Levothyroxine.. any thoughts??

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to IDSNH]

IDSNH From thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

The 'UK Guidelines for the Use of Thyroid Function Tests' state that, "There is no evidence to support the benefit of routine early treatment with thyroxine in non-pregnant patients with a serum TSH above the reference range but <10mU/L (II,B). Physicians may wish to consider the suitability of a therapeutic trial of thyroxine on an individual patient basis." If your TSH is above the range but less than 10, discuss a therapeutic trial of thyroxine with your doctor.

Subclinical hypothyroidism (where there are elevated TSH levels, but normal FT4 levels, possibly with symptoms) has been found in approximately 4% to 8% of the general population but in approximately 15% to 18% of women over 60 years of age.

Subclinical hypothyroidism can progress to overt hypothyroidism (full hypothyroidism with symptoms) especially if there are thyroid antibodies present.

If thyroid antibodies are found, then you may have Hashimoto's disease. If there are thyroid antibodies but the other thyroid tests are normal, there is evidence that treatment will stop full blown hypothyroidism from occurring.

You haven't said whether you are experiencing any symptoms of hypothyroidism or Hashi's. Each antibody attack will destroy a bit more of your thyroid until eventually you develop full blown hypothyroidism.

Only you can decide if you want to go ahead with starting Levo.