Any ideas what these results mean? I'm undiagnosed and unmedicated.

[Donought]

Hi, I posted previously but think I put too much info in. I wonder if anyone has ideas what these results mean:

Tsh = .48 (.35-4.94)

Free T4 = 12.4 (9-19)

VitB12 = 244 (187-883)

Folate = 2.8 (3.1-20.5)

Ferritin = 31 (10-204)

Potassium = 4.5 (3.5-5.3)

Sodium = 140 (133-146)

Calcium = 2.48 (2.03-2.45)

Eosinophils = 1.0 (.01-.07)

Symptoms of both hypo and hyper thyroid. MRI revealed abnormality on right side pituitary but they seem unfazed by this.

Any ideas? I'm hoping to see an endo soon and would welcome being more knowledgeable before I seem them.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your B12, folate and ferritin are all too low

This could be due to low stomach acid and /or leaky gut

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/hypochl...

You will need to supplement to improve all these

See SeasideSusie detailed vitamin replies on how to do this

Have you had vitamin D tested? If so post results.

Also have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested to see if you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

[Donought in reply to SlowDragon]

VitD was 90 but has been down to 70. I started taking vitamins in July and feeling a lot better but still got some symptoms. Also cortisol is 371 so that's why I've been referred.

Don't think I've ever been tested for hasimoto's although about 4 years ago I was sure I had it as I had all the symptoms, including blood sugar all over the place. Docs not interested.

I'll definitely check out seaside susie. Thanks.

[Eddie83 in reply to Donought]

My experience is that blood sugar is more stable when you are euthyroid. Yes, you need to boost things like ferritin and folate, but you won't know what is going on with thyroid until you know FT3, TPO antibodies, TGB antibodies. You also need to know if you have food sensitivities, and esp. gluten or dairy.

[Donought in reply to Eddie83]

Thanks Eddie, only just seen this. I'll press for more thyroid testing when I eventually get the appointment!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Endo's have little interest in vitamins, nutrition or gut function

But with luck you may get TPO and TG antibodies tested, but you may need to insist

FT3 would be nice too

[Donought]

HI Helen and slowdragon - thanks for taking the time to reply and for your advice/ thoughts. Slowdragon - I appreciate endo's are not interested in the more vitamin side of things but I didn't realise until I started reading on here that so many people with thyroid issues have low VitB12, Iron, Folate etc. I'll definitely insist on a T3 as I've been wondering about that given my low TSH and 'normal'/ low ish T4.

Helen, thanks for the info about immunity etc. I totally agree with your approach and it's good know you've had success with it. Gives me hope! I have sort of given up gluten but not strictly enough. I do notice a difference when I'm strict with myself. Interestingly enough I've a skype appointment with a functional medicine person and the health questionnaire already tells me that they know what they're talking about - so detailed in ways I'd never thought. I'm really interested in what they'll say. My doc thinks adrenal's are playing up as well as my cortisol is quite low so that's why she's referred me to the endo. I agree wholeheartedly that they're more interested in spotting symptoms and rely on numbers rather than addressing the global issues.

Glad you're doing well and thanks again both

[Donought]

Thanks! I've literally just been googling this. I think you're definitely right as my pituitary has been investigated as I've other symptoms suggesting adrenal issues. I suspect the pituitary may the be the cause of the thyroid and adrenal problems. Thanks for replying. I'll be more confident tackling the endo and GP and demanding some more tests.

[Eddie83 in reply to Donought]

I have seen several terms that are used in combination with non-primary hypothyroidism. One of them is "Euthyroid Sick Syndrome/ESS".

[Donought]

Thanks, I'll try. I'm really rubbish at been assertive with the medical profession.

No, only after childbirth when I lost 2-3 pints. I did have an extended period of almost constant stress (5yrs) due to divorce, ex partner emotionally abusive etc. I started becoming ill during that time, blood sugar all over the place, loads of infections etc. Had all the symptoms of hashimotos by then things seem to have morphed and now reading the secondary hypothyroidism symptom list is like reading about me! But then I seem to have the adrenal side kicking off, or not, as the case may be.

I did have an MRI and they found an asymmetry with the right side of my pituitary being larger but decided to leave it there. I've more white spots than I should which led them down the MS route but that's been ruled out.

Sorry, rabbiting on. Just so nice to be believed and not thought of as a hypochondriac or lunatic!

[Donought]

Thanks and gosh, didn't want to suggest you're wrong. I think you're 100% right. Just wish the docs would see it that way. It wasn't until reading on here about the low vitamins that it really clicked. Also just read a webpage and high eosinophils seem to common as well, which mine are. Well not hugely but over the reference range.

I'd love a recommendation and happy to pay privately if needed. I'm pretty central an hour from Sheffield, Nottingham, York and Leeds by car and London by train.

[Donought]

Just updating my test results. I did a 24hr saliva test and these are the results: nmol/L

1st sample post awake: 14.07 ref range (2.68-9.30)

2nd sample: 2.37 (.75-2.93)

3rd sample: 1.02 (.36-1.88)

4th sample: 0.39 (<=.94)

DHEA: cortisol ratio 0.08 (0.05-.32)

DHEA sample 1 = 1.07 (.25-2.22)

I'm currently googling like mad but wondered if anyone had any thoughts/ experience or can point me in the right direction of some good research. Still waiting for NHS appointment with endo.

Thanks