Results

[mclellans10]

Hi,

I have just had my results back from Medichecks for my thyroid - as I have explained previously in a post I have been struggling for a couple of years now with extreme tiredness which is getting worse. I've also struggled for years to lose weight and more recently, I have put on nearly two stone since the end of October despite not changing my diet and not eating anywhere close to the amount of calories I'm burning. I have constipation, sensitivity to the cold, stiff muscles,change in mood (easily irritated), and brittle nails.

My results are showing:

TSH: 2.36 (0.27 - 4.20)

Free Thyroxine: 16.3 (12 - 22.00)

T4: 78.7 (59.00 - 154.00)

Free T3: 4.18 (3.10-6.80)

Thyroglobulin Antibody: <10.00 (0.00 - 115.00)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody: <9.00 (0.00 - 34.00)

I'm guessing this means I don't have a thyroid issue.... I was just wondering if any advice could be given as the route to go down next as I'm really struggling with the above, especially with the sudden weight gain over the past month and a half. My GP is ringing me later this afternoon for the results and I want to know what to say to him.

Thanks for your help.

[Clutter]

McLellans10,

You don't currently have thyroid disorder but TSH >2.0 indicates your thyroid is beginning to struggle. Symptoms often precede abnormal thyroid levels by months/years. Thyroid antibodies are negative for autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's).

NHS won't usually diagnose hypothyroidism until TSH is over range or FT4 below range.

Supplementing 100mcg-200mcg selenium daily is good thyroid support but is unlikely to aid with the weight gain and fatigue. It's certainly worth asking your GP to check ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate which when deficient can cause symptoms similar to hypothyroidism other than weight gain.

[mclellans10 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks for the reply Clutter and the tips. Definitely need to speak to the GP as I feel it has been going on for too long now, (going back years for the tiredness and the weight problems) but will definitely be trying the selenium. Thanks again

[Nanaedake]

Has your GP tested Hba1c? I don't know anything about Diabetes but you could ask about insulin resistance. Have you tried a low carb high fat (good fats) diet as detailed on the diabetes websites. Have you got other medical conditions that could be contributing to Weight gain? Are you on any medicines like SSRI's where weight gain may be a side effect?

[mclellans10 in reply to Nanaedake]

Hi Nanaedake, Thanks for your reply. He did test it and it was 32nmols but this was back in August. I have not had a look at them - didn't think about that but will have a look! No other medical conditions and no other medications - the GP did give me sone Xenical the other day to help me lose weight but the issue is (amongst other things) why it has shot up so much recently despite me being in an appropriate calorie deficit!

[spongecat in reply to Nanaedake]

Good point about the SSRI's but you can gain weight with the tricyclic antidepressants as well, such as amitriptyline (also used for chronic pain), as I well know. Not on the stuff anymore though.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Definitely ask GP to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

If these are too low they affect thyroid function

Always get actual results and ranges

Post results when you get them