Help, what to do next? NHS doctor appointment tomorrow..

[aconroy]

Hi everyone,

Please may I request some help. I took a medicheck blood test back in March of this year as I'd been having some anxiety, panic attacks, brain fog, shoulder aches and bad neck over the Christmas period last year which was out of character. My chiropractor suggested it as my flu like aches weren't structural. My medicheck test came back saying I had Hashimotos. Results below.

I immediately went gluten free on the chiros advice and started to supplement B12, D, B6.

I re-tested after the summer and was pleased to see my antibodies had dropped to a normal level.

Things have gone downhill since then and I am going to see my NHS doctor tomorrow. I mentioned the Hashis to him back before the Summer but he dismissed it, tested my blood and said everything was fine. He was more concerned about the T3, T4 which seem normal for me?

For the last month or two I have a really sore thyroid, tender to touch, my aches are coming back, I feel a little anxious but not panicky. I can feel a downward spiral. The thing that worries me the most is my doctor said my thyroid is fine and the NHS tests I had did not indicate anything despite my symptoms. I want to go back to my doctor to request for my thyroid to be examined but really nervous I'll just let him dismiss me, I get really anxious at appointments. So anyway ramble ramble, my point is please can anyone help me as to why my other levels seem okay but my symptoms are worsening, thyroid tenderness and choking feeling specifically - do I need medication? (I prefer a natural approach where possible but ..! )

Thanks in advance!

AC

First results - March17

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 1.06

FREE THYROXINE 19.07

TOTAL THYROXINE(T4) 98.2

FREE T3 4.76

THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY *217.500

THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES 10.09

VITAMIN B12 280

FOLATE (SERUM) >19.98

25 OH VITAMIN D 77.93

CRP - HIGH SENSITIVITY 0.1

FERRITIN 71.77

Second results - Sept17

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 1.05

FREE THYROXINE 16.5

TOTAL THYROXINE(T4) 92.4

FREE T3 4.71

THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY 54.100

THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES 9.16

(didn't get vitamins etc re-tested as was feeling better back then in Sept)

[Nanaedake]

Hello aconroy, I wonder if you can add the laboratory ranges to your results as labs vary and we need them to interpret the results properly?

[aconroy in reply to Nanaedake]

Ah sorry didn't realise - let me redo:

March17 results:

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 1.06 mIU/L (0.27 -4.20)

FREE THYROXINE 19.07 pmol/L (12.00 -22.00)

TOTAL THYROXINE(T4) 98.2 nmol/L (59.00 -154.00)

FREE T3 4.76 pmol/L (3.10 -6.80)

THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY *217.500 IU/mL (0.00 -115.00)

THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES 10.09 IU/mL (0.00 -34.00)

VITAMIN B12 280 pmol/L (140.00 -724.00)

FOLATE (SERUM) >19.98 ug/L (3.89 -26.80)

25 OH VITAMIN D 77.93 nmol/L (50.00 -200.00)

Interpretation of results:

Deficient <25

Insufficient 25 -49

Normal Range 50 -200

Consider reducing dose >200

CRP -HIGH SENSITIVITY 0.1 mg/L (0.00 -5.00)

FERRITIN 71.77 ug/L (13.00 -150.00)

Sept17:

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 1.05 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.20)

FREE THYROXINE 16.5 pmol/L (12.00 - 22.00)

TOTAL THYROXINE(T4) 92.4 nmol/L (59.00 - 154.00)

FREE T3 4.71 pmol/L (3.10 - 6.80)

THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY 54.100 IU/mL (0.00 - 115.00)

THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES 9.16 IU/mL (0.00 - 34.00)

Thanks

[Nanaedake in reply to aconroy]

You could ask your doctor if there are other conditions besides thyroid that can have raised thyroglobulin antibodies. You could ask your GP whether they have ruled out a thyroid condition and if so, on what evidence? What does the doctor think is causing the thyroid discomfort? What does the doctor attribute the fluctuation in antibodies to? What further investigations will the doctor do to confirm or rule out thyroid problems?

If there are other conditions that may have raised or fluctuating antibodies results then what is the process of elimination? What tests will the doctor do?

Your thyroid results look pretty normal except that FT3 is a little on the low side. Vitamin levels are not dire but B12 could be a little higher, it's recommended above 500 or top of range and ferritin is better around 70 or mid-range.

[aconroy in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you for your help

[Clutter]

Aconroy,

You have euthyroid (normal thyroid levels) Hashimoto's which means that you have autoimmune thyroiditis but it has not yet damaged your thyroid gland sufficiently to have reduced your thyroid hormone to make you hypothyroid. Thyroid antibodies fluctuate and are highest after an attack on the thyroid and then subside until after the next attack.

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, and may help delay progression to hypothyroidism.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

If your GP tells you that Hashimoto's doesn't cause symptoms s/he is wrong but it is commonly supposed by UK doctors that Hashimoto's is asymptomatic unless accompanied by hypothyroidism. There is no treatment for Hashimoto's but supplementing 100-200mcg selenium daily is good thyroid support.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/resear...

medscape.com/viewarticle/76...

[aconroy in reply to Clutter]

Thank you for your help, I haven't heard it called euthyroid hashis before, that's really useful thanks. I am keen for the issue to be noted on my medical records so this will definitely help!

[Clutter in reply to aconroy]

Aconroy,

Euthyroid just means that thyroid levels are normal. You should have annual thyroid function tests from now on but it is unlikely thyroid antibodies will need retesting.

[aconroy]

Thank you, I'll request testing - hadn't heard of that either so this has been a great help to me!