Hi further to first post what do results mean please?
TSH 28.7 (0.2 - 4.2)
Free T4 10.3 (12 - 22)
Free T3 3.0 (3.1 - 6.8)
TPO antibody 810.5 (<34)
TG antibody (Blue Horizon) >1000 (<115)
Symptoms are
Constiption
Weight gain
Pins and needles
Hair loss
Dry skin
Puffy eyes
Swollen throat/neck
Depression
Anxiety
Cold intolerance
Clumsiness
Dizziness
Fatigue
Insomnia
Heavy periods
Pale skin
Thank you
Welcome to our forum,
You have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease and should be prescribed 50mcg levothyroxine to begin with and a blood test and increase of 25mcg every six weeks until you feel much better and TSH is 1 or lower.
You will be prescribed levothyroxine also known as T4, and due to having thyroid antibodies which attack your thyroid gland, they wax and wane until you are hypothyroid.
Antibodies can be reduced by going gluten-free. The above condition is commonly called Hashimoto's - the name of the scientist who discovered the antibodies. The treatment is the same as for hypothyroidism. Due to the antibodies sometimes you will feel hyper (too many when antibodies attack) and at other times hypo.
The usual dose is 50mcg to start with 25mcg increments of levo every six weeks until TSH is 1 or lower and Free T4 and Free T3 towards the upper part of the range.
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
All blood tests have to be at the earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24hours between levo and test and take it afterwards. Levothyroxine is taken first thing with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating. Food interferes with the uptake of levo.
At next blood test ask GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as everything has to be optimal.
You have to read, learn and ask questions if you've to recover your health although you will always have Hashimoto's.
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges and post for comments if you wish.
If you wish you can take dose at bedtime as long as you've last eaten about 3 hours before. However if having a blood test next a.m. miss this dose and take after test and at bedtime as usual.
Hi I have the results of these too, I haven't been prescribed anything for thyroid yet
Why has your GP not prescribed? Has he not yet seen your results?
I don't know why GP hasn't prescribed yet. I picked up results from reception because I hadn't heard about them and the comments on the printout say abnormal contact patient.
Your doctor was lax in not ringing you at home and leaving a prescription for you. A TSH of 28 is high and you must feel awful.
Phone Monday and insist on a prescription being left for you at reception. It should be 50mcg to begin with. Take with one full Glass of water first thing on an empty stomach. If you've already eaten allow about 3 hours between food and levo as food interferes with the uptake and then start the following day when you awake and wait an hour before eating.
Has you GP seen you since these results?
If so why no prescription
Insist on an emergency appointment on Monday, with another GP if necessary
I don't know why GP hasn't prescribed yet. I picked up results from reception because I hadn't heard about them and the comments on the printout say abnormal contact patient.
Make an urgent appointment for Monday ideally
Ask that GP also tests vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
You can say you have taken advice from the NHS recommended thyroid support group.
These vitamins are very often too low as a result of being hypothyroid and may need supplementing to help thyroid hormones to work
How long have you been feeling unwell? How much of a battle was it to get thyroid tested at all?
Thanks I have been experiencing symptoms of tiredness, anxiety, hard stool and sweats and heavy periods since 2011. I first had thyroid tested in 2011 with a TSH of 7.2 (0.2 - 4.2) and free T4 of 15.6 (12 - 22) then a retest 8 weeks later which showed TSH 2.4 (0.2 - 4.2) then I was seen as normal and all my symptoms were psychological. It took me 6 years to have thyroid retested.
Newbie with thyroid results
Thyroid results
