Thyroid Results - Disastrous, any help please

I have just received the following thyroid results - and I am shocked:-

TSH - 91.9 (0.27-4.2)

FT4 - 3.76 (12-22)

FT4 - 2.03 (3.1-6.8)

TT4 - 33.2 (59-154)

TGAB - 1603 (0-115)

TPOAB - 53.9 (0-34)

Well, they speak for themselves really - not a single thing in the normal range. I have been on NDT for 4 years, was taking 2 grains but reduced to 1.5 as my TSH on 2 grains barely registered.

The obvious answer is that I need to increase my NDT, but.....there are complications. First of all my husband died 3 months ago and my cat died a week before the test - could extreme stress have produced this result (perhaps I should have waited a bit to longer to be tested). Added to that I have B12 deficiency and self-inject B12 due to severe numbness in my toes, etc etc.

The stupid thing is that I don't feel as unwell as my results indicate. I have certainly felt worse with a TSH within the NHS normal range and everything else at the bottom of the range. The antibodies are the highest I have had though, last test sometime ago was around a 1000 as I recall.

I take all my NDT in the morning, should I increase my dose by .5 grain (or more) and take twice a day instead of once, then increase by .5 grain every 2 weeks and re-test in 6 weeks? Do antibodies increase in response to the state of my thyroid, or is it the other way round. Has stress used up all my supplies?

Would be grateful for any advice, help, observations, many thanks

[shaws Administrator]

On yesterday's post there was an item from a doctor who stated that our charts were wrong re levo/NDT etc. I shall give you the link.

Listen to the video on the link and you will also see the chart he uses and the reason.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

I am sorry your husband has died and that, in itself, will have affected you and your hormones. My condolences. Now your cat too.

You could be running on adrenaline at present.

You definitely need an increase as TSH is far too high and the Frees too low.

High antibodies attack your gland and wax and wane and going gluten-free can help reduce the attacks.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Thanks Shaws, I watched the video and it would seem from the chart that, at least 4 years ago, 1.5 grains of NDT was about right as I had been on 75mcg of Levo. However, it may have been that I was undermedicated on 75mcg as at that time I was an unwilling slave to my GP's obsession with TSH.

I don't want to change too much at one time so for the moment I think I will remain at a one-off morning dose and increase it by 1/4 grain for 10 days or so until I get up to 2 grains and see how it goes.

I think I have probably been running on adrenaline for some time but hopefully as time goes by the affects of this and stress will diminish.

I went gluten-free about 3 months ago (coeliac test negative) and I may have had a couple of unintended relapses (that stuff is absolutely everywhere) so it may not be out of my system yet.

Thanks so much for your help and kind words, much appreciated.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

I thought these two links might be helpful. Second one also gives a graph we can follow.

nebula.wsimg.com/e0c9c9ed95...

nebula.wsimg.com/540ba6bc6c...

Dr Lowe only took a blood test for diagnosis, thereafter the patient had small increases until symptom-free/ I wish more doctors would consider eliminating symptoms as few know any and only look at a TSH.

I myself was not diagnosed until TSH was 100 and I know how unwell you can feel but I didn't have the emotional upsets you've gone through. I hope you feel better soon.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Thank you for those links, I will read those later in the day when I am more alert!

I hadn't had a blood test for sometime and was feeling a bit neglectful of myself, so it is good to know that Dr Lowe didn't feel it was necessary to constantly repeat them and to rely on symptoms. I had begun to feel unwell again a while back but had just put it down to lack of sleep and stress and thought things would get better, but in fact they just got worse.

I was truly shocked when I saw my results, didn't know you could have a TSH that high and still be walking around but you are proof that you can, so I have taken some comfort that things will get better.

I seem to have got myself into a bit of a mess and I really appreciate your help, thanks again Shaws.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

When we've been on a dose which eventually makes us free of symptoms and then some begin to return, that's the time to have a test so that you are aware if you are taking too much or too little hormones.

Dr Lowe knew how to treat his patients as he knew all about metabolism but our doctors seem not to have a clue and appear to know no symptoms so we need to do the ground work ourselves. Our doctors rely upon the TSH alone when the patient probably needs a FT4 and FT3 tested. Both have to be in the upper part of the range and TSH around 1. Most doctors will stop prescribing when TSH is in range - even the top which is around 5 regardless of any other tests.

I believe you will need blood tests regularly until your TSH is down to around 1 and you know your increases in levo are working because you begin to feel much better, then it should depend on how you feel. Once we are stable on a particular dose and become unstable a blood test will reveal if you need a decrease/increase.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Thanks Shaws, that's really great advice and has given me a good plan of action. I haven't been to the doctors for about 4 years, I could no longer put up with the dismissive attitude that there was nothing wrong with me, TSH was fine, and being offered antidepressants. I was doing quite well on my own with proper private blood tests but events intervened and I just put my own needs to the bottom of the 'to do' list. Not a good idea in hindsight.

Its probably going to take a little time to feel any benefit from the increases in dose, but I will keep in mind all you have said. I feel so much better today knowing that I am not going to 'peg out' in the night!!

Thanks so much again, I really appreciate your time.