Thyroid results

[ChockyBicky]

I recently posted about my hypothyroidism and how bad I was feeling. I was recommended by a few people on here to get certain bloods taken and the results came back :

Sodium 140 Mmol/l (136-146)

Creatinine 74 umol/l (49-90)

Urea 4.6 mmol/l (2.8-7.2)

Total protein 76 g/l (66-83)

Albumin 43 g/l (35-52)

Total bilirubin 10 umol/l (0-21)

ALP 72 u/l (30-120)

ALT 28 u/l (0-35)

GGT 22 u/l (0-38)

Free T4 28.7 pmol/L (10.5-22.0)

Tsh 0.29 mIU/L (0.27-4.20)

Anti TPO abs 193 IU/ml (>100 IU/ml)

Comments: positive TPO (>100 IU/ml) is associated with auto immune thyroid disease,occurring in 90% of hashimoto's disease, 70% of graves disease but also occurs in 10-15% of healthy euthyroid individuals. In euthyroid individuals the presence of anti TPO antibodies are associated with an increased longterm risk of developing hypothyroidism

Serum vitamin B12 244 pg/ml (187-883)

Serum folate 5.6 ng/ml (3-17)

The doctor rang and said everything was fine, Nothing to worry about. But as you guys know from my last post, I don't exactly feel listening to them is wise from past experience. I'm on 125 Mg of eltroxin, and the doc said from those results she felt it too high and to come down to 100 Mg even though that did nothing for me whatsoever and had the tsh 4 times over the desired levels.

Also, the comments on anti bodies, is that to assume I have hashimoto's?

Any help understanding these is very much appreciated ☺

[Clutter]

ChockyBicky,

125mg has built up and TSH 0.29 is low in range (which is fine) but FT4 28.7 is quite a bit over range and that's why your GP considers you are overmedicated and has advised you to reduce dose to 100mcg. If you find that 100mcg means FT4 drops too much and TSH rises too much you could try 100mcg/125mcg alternate days.

Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

B12 244 is low. If you have symptoms in b12deficiency.info/signs-an... go to healthunlocked.com/pasoc for advice.

Folate is optimal halfway through range so you may want to supplement folic acid or methylfolate for 3-4 months.

The other results are all within range (normal).

[Stevie_G]

I was overprescribed Eltroxin by an incompetent doctor. For quite a while I was too scared to listen when subsequent doctors (and lab results) advised me to reduce my dosage. I ended up feeling very ill indeed. I finally listened to the correct medical advice and very soon felt much better for it. In any case, it is best to err on the side of caution. Too much thyroxine of any kind - including Eltroxin - can have horrible side effects and can cause tremors, coma and/or permanent heart damage (even heart failure). It's just not worth risking.

[helvella Administrator]

ChockyBicky,

How much time elapsed between taking your levothyroxine and the blood being drawn for the test?

There is nothing to prevent doses that are between 100 and 125 micrograms! Without even splitting a tablet, you could take 125 for six days, and 100 for one day, through 125 for one day and 100 for six days! Splitting tablets would allow a less "lumpy" day by day variation.