Hi I am new and I am here to ask is my thyroid struggling? Symptoms are heavy periods, hair loss, gaining weight, sweats, low pulse, thyroid feeling more protruding from neck, feeling cold, constipation, ears ringing. Thank you
NOV 2017
TSH 5.4 (0.2 - 4.2)
Free T4 15.7 (12 - 22)
Ferritin 21 (30 - 400)
Your TSH is above range which is indicative of a problem with your thyroid gland. If in the UK, doctors have been told not to prescribe until the TSH is 10 despite people having clinical symptoms:-
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
Your FT4 is low but your Free T3 hasn't been tested. Your ferritin is below range, so what did the doctor do about it. Has he recommended anything. He should test - as well as FT3 - Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, and folate. All have to be optimum.
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Blood tests have always to be taken at the earliest possible time, TSH is at its highest then. It should be a fasting test but you can drink water. If you were taking thyroid hormones a 24 hours gap should elapse between last dose and test and take afterwards.
Thyroid hormones should be taken on an empty stomach with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating. Most take theirs when they get up. Some prefer bedtime dose, in that case you should last have eaten 3 hours previously as somach has to be empty. If taking bedtime dose, miss this if having a blood test next a.m. and take afterwards.
Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges.
TSH 3 weeks ago was above 10
Definitely get thyroid antibodies tested.
Hashimoto's causes wide fluctuations in TSH.
Antibodies were
TPO antibody 574 (<34)
TG antibody >1200 (<115)
Then you have already been diagnosed with Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease
You should be started on Levothyroxine. Standard starter dose is 50mcgs (don't accept less). Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change. Dose is increased in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range
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 stomach acid and then 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...
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...
Vitamindtest.org.uk - £28 postal kit
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. 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...
TSH 3 weeks ago was above 10
Yes that’s indicative of a struggling thyroid. You may want to go in armed with as much info as you can and basically beg for a trial
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