Hiya! Since my last post, my GP diagnosed me with an underactive thyroid. She started me on 25mg and recently increased to 50mg. I've just had a medichecks test done (mainly out of curiosity as they won't test my T3). Are you able to help me understand the results?
Thanks in advance.
TSH - 4.5 (0.27-4.2)
Free thyroxine - 19 (12-22)
Total thyroxine - 116 (59-154)
T3 - 6.25 (3.10-6.8)
Thyroglobulin antibody - 317 (<115)
TPA - 120 <34
B12 - 153 (140-724)
CPR - 2.2 (0-5)
Ferritin - 116 (13-150)
Afraid you need to type in the results as they are not legible .
Cronx How long were you on the 50mcg Levo before doing this test?
about 6 weeks
Cronx
TSH - 4.5 (0.27-4.2)
Free thyroxine - 19 (12-22)
Total thyroxine - 116 (59-154)
T3 - 6.25 (3.10-6.8)
This is a very strange result - over range TSH but FT4 and FT3 are very good and where you'd expect to see them in an optimally dosed hypo patient. What time of day did you do the test?
**
Thyroglobulin antibody - 317 (<115)
TPA - 120 <34
Your high antibodies mean that you are positive for 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.
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.
Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...
stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...
hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
**
B12 - 153 (140-724)
Shame there's no folate result. I would ask your GP to check your B12 and folate if she wont accept your private tests.
Your B12 is extremely low - do you have any signs of B12 deficiency b12deficiency.info/signs-an... You could do with being tested for Pernicious Anaemia.
If your folate is tested and range then you would be folate deficient and need folic acid prescribing. However, investigations into your low B12 would need to be done before starting folic acid, and any B12 treatment started before the folic acid.
**
CPR - 2.2 (0-5)
Inflammation market, well within range so no problem.
**
Ferritin - 116 (13-150)
Lovely ferritin result, particularly if you're not supplementing. You don't want it to go any higher really, so if you are supplementing maybe drop back just a touch.
**
No Vit D ?
Yes I thought that was really odd too! My last set of results when they increased the Levo showed TSH at 5 and T4 at 11 - they don't test for T3. I took it at 8am. Hadn't taken my Levo that day but had taken it the previous morning at 7. I'm due to go back for NHS tests next week so will ask for B12 again, vit d and folate. I have tinnitus and horrible cramps in my legs!
Cronx Well, you did everything right for testing (early morning, no levo) and that would give the highest TSH. Your TSH indicates a need for an increase in your Levo, but of course that would increase your FT4 and FT3 as well.
How do you feel?
I would concentrate on addressing the Hashi's, optimising the vitamins and minerals for now and see how that goes.
Tinnitus could be low B12 (have you checked the signs of B12 deficiency?) and for the cramps I have found that taking magnesium in the evening has eliminated mine. Magnesium is a cofactor of Vit D, so if you can get Vit D tested, post the results and we can see if you need to supplement. If your GP wont test it then you can do a home fingerprick test for £28 with City Assays vitamindtest.org.uk/
who are part of NHS City Hospital in Birmingham.
First thing that jumps out is your B12 is very low
No folate result?
You may need testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting supplementing or injections
You appear to have very good conversion to FT3 and FT4 is towards top of range.
All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results
Is this how yours was done?
Ferritin is good
No vitamin D test. You can get this via vitamindtest.org.uk if GP won't. £28 postal kit
Also you have high antibodies, this is Hashimoto's
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)
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, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
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