Anyone had gene test with Blue Horizon?

Has anyone used the Blue Horizon Thyroid genetics testing, and if so could you understand the DIO1 and DIO2 results easily?

Their report is detailed including lots of advice on supplements which is good, but I've got two results for each of DIO1 & 2 which appear to contradict each other so I'm none the wiser about my T4-T3 conversion! They were cheaper than others as they don't provide a counsellor, but they have sent my questions to the expert so I will see what answers come back,

Feeling confused

Also amused as genetically, one result (COMT) I am susceptible to stress aa I have slow clearance of stress hormones, and another FKBP5 says; "Healthy cortisol regulation and stress resilience. You are likely to be less negatively affected by stress and the impact it has on the body". I am also less likely to get thyroid antibodies, well I have both at high levels T AB 925( range max 115) and TPO 65 (max 34) so they are only a guide, LOL nature vs nurture I suppose! The report does mention the importance of managing stress a lot (if only!!)

[Angel_of_the_North]

Yeah, well, I'm pretty much the opposite to what my genes say. So I started looking into epigenetics, which is which genes are expressed and therefore active, rather than what you are born with. I was born with stress resilience (have low cortisol now), fantastic conversion (NOT now) and awful TRH receptors and TSH signalling which should mean I have high TSH, but I've never has a TSH over 0.7. So nuture (or injury) has trumped nature.

[Hidden in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Good points, I didn't know genes could be "inactive or active".

I've also got flagged red for TSH signalling, it says this means "reduced thyroid sensitivity to TSH stimulation, so a need for higher TSH to provide normal hormones levels", rather than actually having high TSH. Although I asked whether as I'm on Levo to provide thyroid hormones anyway, that this actually won't matter the reply was "although it's not an immediate concern, it could be an under lying problems with overall thyroid hormone balance"

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Hidden]

I have that one and can't get a high TSH as I have secondary/central hypo, so ... as well as the TRH receptor one which apparently means that my hypothalamus hasn't a clue what my thyroid hormone levels are or at least takes a long time to figure it out, by which time the amount of TSH it orders is wrong again. So I suppose it could explain why I'm hypo, but sometimes I have good free T4 (no levo, T3 only) still with rock bottom TSH - incomprehensible.

You could have a look at Dr Ben Lynch on COMT (just search) - apparently it can act as though it is "fast" or "slow". He has some suggestions as to what activates and deactivates SNPs on that gene and what to do about it (diet and lifestyle)

[Hidden]

The BH Nutrigenomics Specialist replied quickly to my questions, was quite helpful, but the results conflict so overall I still don't know if I should benefit from T3, although so far physically I think I have since taking for a few weeks my energy and cognitive function is much improved, but, as I also started HRT at the same time it may be a combination of both or just bringing my oestrogen levels back up??

They have reported on two different SNPs for both DIO1 & 2. Basically it seems from what she has stated (to clear up my lack of understanding, that the homozygous?) results eg AA or CC are not always the most beneficial or detrimental, it varies for each SNP. So, where I have had an AA for the 1st DIO1 result it's flagged amber is this means I convert T4 to T3 at slower rate than if I had the variant. My 2nd DIO1 result is CC and that's "green" as positive "Healthy conversion of T4 to T3 in plasma and peripheral, tissue, and clearance of rT3 from circulation

Similar with DIO2, 1st SNP no variant; TT (positive green flag) "Linked to normal enzyme activity and not with increased risk of anxiety and depression if taking thyroxine (T4) hormone replacement therapy for hypothyroidism"

But then a minor negative again; "The CC result for the second DIO2 SNP is not associated with increased local (thyroid) conversion of T4 to T3. Even though this is not the variant, because the variant is associated with increased activity, i.e. increased conversion of T4 to T3 which is positive, this is indicated as amber in the result sheet because it is not as beneficial as the variant" .

Does this look like I do need T3 to help DIO2 performance ?

A very important comment they made also backs up everything I've read from you very helpful people on here about the stress= leaky gut= autoimmune disease=antibodies damaging thyroid, their quote is below. The report also confirms the selenium, vitamin D, zinc etc etc advice I've also taken onboard from members here so a big thank you to everyone that contributes. Now if we could please just find a solution to stress!!

The fact that the patient is less genetically inclined to thyroid antibodies shows that there is probably something in the diet/ lifestyle that has triggered autoimmunity. This can occur due to prolonged, chronic stress, infection, poor diet or leaky gut.