Hyper to hypo?: Hi newbie here. My GP thinks I... - Thyroid UK

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Hyper to hypo?

Kamke profile image
6 Replies

Hi newbie here. My GP thinks I have hyperthyroidism based on below blood results even though I have hypothyroidism and symptoms of hypothyroidism? Bloods taken early morning fasting and I did not take levothyroxine 24 hours before blood draw. Thank you in advance.

Nov-17

TSH *10.3 (0.2 - 4.2)

FREE T4 12.9 (12 - 22)

FREE T3 *3.0 (3.1 - 6.8)

Aug-17

TSH *0.08 (0.2 - 4.2)

FREE T4 *23.1 (12 - 22)

FREE T3 4.4 (3.1 - 6.8)

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Kamke profile image
Kamke
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Marz profile image
Marz

Why does your GP think you are HYper ? No anti-bodies tested - or perhaps you have some results from another time. It is possible with Hashimotos to have spells of being Hyper when the thyroid is under attack and additional thyroid hormones are secreted into the bloodstream. How much Levo are you taking ?

Yet another Doc who does not understand the Thyroid - sadly. Not the first today.

You will also need to have the following tested : - B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD as they need to be optimal for thyroid hormones to work well in the body.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Kamke

If you were originally given a diagnosis of hypothyroidism based on results and started on Levothyroxine, then you have an underactive thyroid and you can't suddenly develop an overactive thyroid and become hyperthyroid.

Under no circumstances allow your GP to prescribe anit-thyroid medication eg Carbimazole for hyperthyroidism. We have seen a couple of cases of that recently and it just proves how little their doctors know about treating hypothyroidism.

My guess is that you have autoimmune thyroiditis aka Hashimoto's where antibodies attack and gradually destroy the thyroid. The antibody attacks cause fluctuations in test results (and symptoms) and that is probably why your August results showed low TSH and high FT4. The attacks are temporary and things go back to normal, which is why your November results show a high TSH and low free Ts.

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested - there are two types - Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and Thyroglobulin (TG). The NHS rarely do TPO and almost never do TG yet you can be negative for TPO and positive for TG so it's important that if TPO shows negative then TG is tested.

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Kamke,

Your GP probably meant he thought you were overmedicated in August to have suppressed TSH and mildly over range FT4. FT3 was less than halfway through range so I don't think you were. Some patients need FT4 over range to deliver decent FT3.

How much did GP reduce dose? You are very undermedicated to have TSH >10, low FT4 and FT3 below range and need dose increasing.

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.3 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email dionne.fulcher@thyroiduk.org if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

Your GP's name must be Dick ... You are very hypo - way over range TSH and low free T4 and under range free T3

No, in Aug with a free T3 that low in range you were not hyper or overmedicated regardless of your TSH. Your free T4 was very slightly over range, but, according to the Dr Toft Pulse article, that is fine. However, it still hadn't got your free T3 to decent level so that suggests you need T3 as you are a poor converter (fat chance in the UK). Now in Nov you are overtly hypo and need a dose increase (and probably T3 as well).

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Angel_of_the_North

And his surname rhymes with bed :D

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Do you have high thyroid antibodies? Is so this is Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease.

You were NOT over medicated in August. Yes TSH was low, but FT4 was only just over range and FT3 was still too LOW

Highly likely to have had very low vitamin levels. Especially if you have Hashimoto's

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested back then, and more importantly now you are very under medicated. This causes low vitamins and then thyroid hormones can not work

Was dose then reduced after this August result?

You need 25mcg dose increase and retesting after 6-8 weeks.

If you have Hashimoto's then gluten free diet helps very many. Can add more info once you add more info

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