Thyroid profile results

[Ellie_c]

TPO ANTIBODY 805.3 (<34)

TG ANTIBODY 377.5 (<115)

I have a lump in my neck which comes and goes not sure why. Also

TSH 10.3 (0.2 - 4.2)

FREE T4 9.4 (12 - 22)

FREE T3 3.3 (3.1 - 6.8)

Can anything be interpreted from results? Thankyou

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you on any thyroid medication?

Your high antibodies confirm you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease

The high TSH shows you need starting on Levothyroxine (or increasing if already diagnosed)

How long since these were done, GP should have called you in

Make an urgent appointment to see GP. You should be started on 50mcgs Levothyroxine. Bloods to be retested after 6-8 weeks. Likely to need further increase in dose (25mcg steps) always retesting 6-8 weeks after any dose change

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low vitamin levels

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...

Read as much as possible about Hashimoto's.

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

Link about antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Print this list of symptoms off, tick all that apply and take to GP

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

[Ellie_c in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi not on medication yet. GP hasn't called me in yet either. They were done 2 weeks ago thankyou

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ellie_c]

Make sure to get urgent appointment early this week

[Clutter]

EllieC,

You are overtly hypothyroid ie TSH >10 with FT4 below range. Make an appointment to see your GP as soon as possible for a prescription of Levothyroxine. NICE recommends initiation dose of 50-100mcg for patients <50 without heart disease and 4 weekly dose increases until TSH is low and FT4 in the upper range. cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

I would also write to the practice manager and complain that you have not been invited to see a GP to discuss your results or to collect a prescription for Levothyroxine.

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_...

Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...