Hi, I have just been given printouts of my lab tests below. I haven't ever done this before and I'm really unsure how one writes out there findings / enabling you, the experts to assist people like me . My doctor never got back in touch (with myself) when receiving back my lab results below. I know I saw seeing an Endo so just waited for him to explain and he informed me there wasn't anything to report. After getting a printout today of thees test results below I'm not so sure and need your expert help. THANKS
This is TPO antibodies test - your result was 100.
So it's above 75 the top of reference range
This means the cause of your thyroid problems is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's.
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's
With Hashimoto's, until it's under control, our gut can be badly affected. Low stomach acid can lead to poor absorption of vitamins. Low vitamin levels stop thyroid hormones working.
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise
There are no tests for these vitamins here. Ask GP to test.
Thyroid results
TSH 3.4 (Range 0.35-5 )
FT4 14.7 (Range 9-24)
FT3 4.5 (Range 3.5-6.5)
These show you are not on high enough dose of Levo. You need 25mcg dose increase and then retested after 6-8 weeks
TSH should be around one (or less) and FT4 towards top of range (around 20) and FT3 above 5
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
If you have trouble persuading GP to increase dose suggest you take this in
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l. In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing louise.roberts@thyroiduk.org print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor.
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
That's a lot to take in after getting the all clear by an Endo / Thanks for putting your reply in a way that's helped me understand what your saying. I find this illness quite difficult to understand but you have help me understand my results unlike my doctors. Thank you so much for your support and taking the time to help me. Thank god there people like you HELPING people like me. God bless
TPOAb is above range meaning you have Hashimotos which is the most common cause of Hypothyroidism.
When medicating Levothyroxine, many members have felt better when TSH is around 1.0. Your T4 & T3 levels are both under half way through range, indicating you are probably a little under medicated as many feel better with levels higher in range, or the meds you are taking are not working.
Many require optimal levels of Vit B12, Vit D, folate & ferritin in order to achieve well being. Have you had these tested ? ? ..
Also reducing thyroid antibodies will help to reduce inflammation within the body (felt as aches & pains) and encourage meds to work better. Eliminating gluten & any other food intolerances will help calm the immune system & heal the gut, helping meds/nutrient absorption.
Thanks for your reply, it has really helped me understand why I'm still always feeling so crap and yesterday I didn't even want to carry on because my illness just got the better of me yesterday unfortunately. Always feeling ill / whilst your doctor's deny this is happening because your test results are always in range (meaning your fine) is in it's self enough to make you ill but now people like you are saying different and my test results are indicating that I'm not on enough medication, plus my Vit's need looking into. Thank you so much for your support and taking the time to help me. Thank god there people like you willing to help people like me. God bless
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