Recent borderline diagnosis

[Shell504]

Hi all I have recently been told that it is believed I have autoimmune thyroiditis which would lead to underactive thyroid. Presently they are monitoring my bloods (6 months so far). Dr has said if by Jan my levels have not balanced they will start me on levothyroxine but is this right as I don't yet have underactive but this autoimmune type so shouldn't they be treating that before starting on underactive treatment. Another dr believed it wasn't thyroid at all but fibro. Any help gratefully recieved

[cjrsquared]

If you are positive for thyroid peroxidase antibodies it means you have hashimoto’s disease, an auto immune condition that attacks and destroys the thyroid. There is no treatment for the autoimmune condition except hormone replacement once the thyroid stops producing enough hormone. There is also thought that starting levothyroxine early reduces the stress on the thyroid to produce more hormones. There is also research that suggests going gluten free reduces the autoimmune flare ups. Hopefully someone else will also reply and point you in the direction of further information. It is good to hear about a gp being pro active in treatment as many just send patients away and say come back once you are overtly hypothyroid.

[Shell504 in reply to cjrsquared]

Thankyou. Luckily I had already gone gluten free before I found this out so that's a good thing. I hadn't realised there was nothing to treat the autoimmune but was slightly worried they wanted to start me on levo before it became underactive. As you have said early start may reduce stress on thyroid this makes me feel better about it as I was just thinking they were skipping ahead and wanting to prescribe before they needed to thanks. I have also ordered some books on hashimoto and a hashimoto recipe book as gluten free eating is quite difficult for me still so I end up eating the same old thing all the time.

Thankyou for your help it's set my mind at ease a little. Still keeping fingers crossed it magically fixes itself by jan

[Clutter]

Shell504,

What is the borderline result? If TSH is high in range it means your thyroid is struggling and as you have autoimmune throiditis (Hashimoto's) it would be pragmatic to initiate Levothyroxine before you progress to hypothyroidism. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

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_...

[Shell504 in reply to Clutter]

Can't remember the figures exactly but they said one of the levels should be 0-30 and mine was 457. The repeat tests they keep sending me for request TFT screen with the reason stated as borderline tsh and raised tpo

[Clutter in reply to Shell504]

Shell504,

That doesn't make sense. A borderline result would be either near 0 or near 30 and 0-30 isn't a typical thyroid range.

Ask your GP receptionist for your recent thyroid results and ranges and post them in a new question for advice.

Raised TPO means you 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 eventually 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_...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3

Private tests are available

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

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...

Going on gluten free diet is good and may help slow progress. It's rare that it halts it completely

You may need to start taking Levothyroxine

Important to get vitamins tested first and improve if required

Post vitamin results and ranges once you have them