Thyroid results advice please

[Binitha]

Hi I'm new here are latest bloods:

TSH 7.4 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 13.9 (12 - 22)

Free T3 3.6 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO antibodies 880.5 (<34)

TG antibodies 279.3 (<115)

Taking 150 mcg levo at the time, diagnosed in 2013 and I take the levo 3 hours away from coffee and food and any other medications and 4 or more hours from supplements

Thanks in advance.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Well you are very under medicated

The dose of Levothyroxine should be high enough to lower TSH down to around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise

Low vitamin levels stop Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten

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...

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

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

What other medications do you take.

Do you take any vitamin supplements?

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, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

Is this how test was done?

[Binitha in reply to SlowDragon]

I take supplements for vitamins but I stopped them about 2 weeks ago because I didn't feel any better taking them. Blood was drawn before 9am fasting and I skipped levo dose for 24 hours. I only take other medication when necessary (during colds or flu or pain)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Binitha]

Increase in dose will help. Gluten free, you might be astonished at the difference. It has to be absolutely strictly gluten free.

Essential to test vitamins, not just guess

[Binitha in reply to SlowDragon]

Will post latest results taken a week ago

[Binitha in reply to SlowDragon]

Ferritin 45 (30 - 400)

Folate 2.2 (2.5 - 19.5)

Vitamin B12 182 (190 - 900)

Vitamin D 11.6

Was only on folic acid before

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Binitha]

Well these are absolutely dire

Why has GP not acted? Should have called you in

You need to see GP urgently and ask for full testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting B12 injections, followed AFTER by folic acid

Loading dose of vitamin D. This is extremely low

Ferritin will need iron supplements

See SeasideSusie replies on vitamin supplements

Ask GP for blood test for coeliac disease, only fully reliable test is endoscopy

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Here's reply to similar levels from SeasideSusie

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...