Daughter's test results

[Shelleyz]

Hi I am new, my daughter is 16 and has hypothyroidism.

TSH 12.3 (0.2 - 4.2) not 1.23

FREE T4 10.5 (12 - 22)

FREE T3 2.6 (3.1 - 6.8_

TPO ANTIBODY >1000 (<34)

TG ANTIBODY >1300 (<115)

Advice appreciated thank you

[bluebug]

What has the doctor said and prescribed?

Part of giving you advice is to work out how knowledgeable about the condition, or not the health professionals treating you are.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

If she's on Levo she needs an increase. 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.

Did you know she has autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's which is where antibodies attack the thyroid and gradually destroy it. The antibody attacks cause fluctuations in symptoms and test results.

She 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 generally know nothing about Hashi's and the fluctuations it causes, so read, learn and encourage your daughter to help herself because the doctors wont:

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

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

Halshi's and gut/absorption problems tend to go hand in hand, often nutrient levels are low as a result. Has she had the following tested:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

If not, ask for them to be done.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Is this test result BEFORE starting on Levothyroxine?

Her antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of hypothyroidism in UK is due to Hashimoto's.

Hashimoto's very often affects the gut, leading to low stomach acid, low vitamin levels and leaky gut.

Low vitamins that affect thyroid are vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. When they are too low they stop Thyroid hormones working.

Have these been tested, if not ask that they are. Always get actual results and ranges

According to Izabella Wentz (the Thyroid Pharmacist) approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Certainly very many here find it essential to be strictly gluten free

But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, slowly lower antibodies and help gut heal

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

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

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

Low stomach acid can be an issue

Lots of posts on here about how to improve with Apple cider vinegar or Betaine HCL

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Other things to help heal gut lining

Bone broth

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Probiotics

carolinasthyroidinstitute.c...

Glandular Fever can be catalyst (common disease amongst teenagers)

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

Great film definitely shows why just testing TSH is inadequate and how gut is involved

drbradshook.com/understandi...