Newbie thyroid results

[Soph0392]

TSH 79.5 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 10.3 (12 - 22)

Free T3 3.2 (3.1 - 6.8)

Thyroid peroxidase antibody 804.5 (<34)

Thyroglobulin antibody 278.3 (<115)

Advice appreciated

Thanks

[ITYFIALMCTT]

Do you currently have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism or are you waiting for an appointment to discuss these results with a GP? If you have a diagnosis, are you currently taking any prescribed medication and, if so, what is the dosage?

Both of your thyroid antibodies results are positive for autoimmune thyroiditis in combination with your other results (aka Hashimoto's which is the commonest cause of hypothyroidism).

Your TSH is very high above the reference range. Your FT4 is below the reference range and your FT3 just about scraping into range.

There's more that could be said but it depends on whether or not you already have a diagnosis etc.

[Soph0392 in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Thanks no diagnosis yet and tests done on NHS

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Soph0392]

Are you waiting to see your doctor - appointment arranged?

[Soph0392 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes tonight

[ITYFIALMCTT in reply to Soph0392]

Good - will you report back on what your GP says and any additional tests that you've requested (look at Seaside Susie's list if you haven't already had them)?

[Soph0392 in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Yes I have come from appointment tonight to report what has been said

[ITYFIALMCTT in reply to Soph0392]

I'm assuming that you have an appointment very soon to discuss these results with a GP?

Your GP will probably start you on levoythyroxine and ask you to book in for tests in 6 weeks or so to see what the blood test results are and maybe increase the dosage until it's appropriate for you.

When you chat to your GP, if you've not had any previous testing for vitamin and mineral levels, this would be a very good time to request them. E.g., iron, ferritin, folate, B12, vitamin D as it's very common for people with hypothyroidism like this to have poor absorption and this can show up in the vitamin and mineral levels.

If you do have any vitamin and mineral results, it would be good if you can post the levels, along with their reference ranges so that members can comment on them and maybe make some helpful suggestions if you have any deficiencies.

[Soph0392 in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Thanks will write a new post now

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

As ITYFIALMCTT, do you have a diagnosis, what has your GP said, without that information all we can say is that you are overty hypothyroid with Hashimoto's.

As for the Hashi's, This is where antibodies attack the thyroid and gradually destroy it. The antibody attacks cause fluctuations in symptoms and test results. 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.

Doctors often dismiss antibodies as being of no importance and know little to nothing about Hashi's. Best thing to do is read and learn so that you can help yourself where Hashi's is concerned.

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

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

**

Hashi's and gut/absorption problems go hand in hand and often lead to low nutrient levels. If you've had vitamins and minerals tested, please post results with their reference ranges for comment.

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[Soph0392 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks no diagnosis yet I only just picked up results today

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Soph0392]

Soph - you need to make an urgent appointment and you need to be prescribed Levothyroxine. Unless you are elderly or have a heart condition then you should be started on no less than 50mcg Levo. If you are prescribed less then ask why.

Take your Levo with a glass of water, on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, no tea, coffee, milk, etc, for an hour. Take any other medication and supplements away from Levo by a couple of hours, some need 4 hours.

Ensure you have regular 6 weekly retests with an increase of 25mcg each time until you feel well and your symptoms abate. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it needs to be for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges when on Levo if that is where you feel well.

Patient to patient tip (which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists) when having thyroid tests

1) Always book the very first appointment of the morning. TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. You need the highest possible TSH when looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reductin.

2) Fast overnight (water allowed) - TSH lowers after eating. Breakfast after the blood draw.

3) Leave off Levo for 24 hours, take after blood draw.