TSH 1-.1 & FT4 15 - Could I be hypothyroid?

[canyouhearmeaya]

I'm a 26 y/o Male from the UK - my doctor tested my thyroid recently as I have host of symptoms that lead me to believe my thyroid may not be functioning properly.

TSH came back at 1.1 (0.3-5.5 Range)

FT4 15pmol/L (10-22 Range)

Do these values indicate potential thyroid issue? My GP said they're fine, but from experience GP's are totally uneducated on horomonal issues!

I am going to get a full thyroid panel done privately including antibodies and rT3. I am just curious to know if I might be on the right track, as I've been trying to figure out what's up with my body for most of my life (have never felt 'right')!

Don't want to get my hopes up thinking I'm on the right track, if I'm not. I know until full bloods come back no one can say yes or no for certain, but based on the above figures for a 26 year old male, does it look that it's 'likely' I'm on the right track?

Thanks!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Being male means thyroid issues are much less likely than females.

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies.

Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Low vitamin levels can cause symptoms in own right and affect thyroid

Essential to test thyroid antibodies, FT3 and FT4, and vitamins

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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 ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten. So it's important to get antibodies tested.

[canyouhearmeaya in reply to SlowDragon]

Does my FT4 level suggest any potential chance of hypo?

[marsaday in reply to canyouhearmeaya]

Your results are typical for a healthy person.

Tsh is ideal and ft4 is often at this mid point. On the boards we always try and aim for slightly higher ft4 no around 17-19 but 15 is a typical result.

So these are not flagging a thyroid issue.

However you need ft3 done over any other test but the others are also important.

If ft3 is highish (because I doubt it will be low low) then this tells you what the ilkley issue is. Namely the absorption of the t3 at the cell level.

Very common in deed.

So this means adrenal health needs looking at.

What time do you go to bed and get up?

[canyouhearmeaya in reply to marsaday]

I see. I sleep 10pm to 6.30am; gave up caffeine 6 months ago and smoking 3 months ago.

I've had fatigue issues since childhood, dry skin, growing up the outer part of my eyebrows didn't exist. Low libido and slow bowels.

Whole food diet, no refined sugar, chemicals etc. Hydrate well, exercise often.

Recently I noticed I was getting insanely fatigued after eating brocolli and kale.. looking into it I realised these are goitrogens, which could be a problem for thyroid. As soon as I stopped consuming them, fatigue and brain fog improved very notice ly. However the main of my symptoms remain.

[marsaday in reply to canyouhearmeaya]

It is good that you sleep well. This is key for good hormone production.

If moderation of your adrenal hormones helped with the Ashwag then this maybe a clue.

I think the ft3 will really help fill in the gaps.

If you were to try some t4 medication and it helps then yes you need more thyroid. Very often more thyroid is not the issue, it’s the ability of the body to use what thyroid is there.

This maybe your key issue but a little more digging is needed.

One tip is not to throw lots of new tablets at the issue in the same time period. Just do one change and hold it for 4 weeks to see how it plays out. The same goes for any hormones you try. At the moment you will need to experiment to find out what your metabolism needs to help it work more effectively.

[canyouhearmeaya]

Also my recent bloods showed high b12 and vitamin d, so no defiency.

What should be checked for adrenal health?

[Hidden in reply to canyouhearmeaya]

The best test for adrenals is the saliva cortisol test plus DHEA. Saliva is taken 4 x throughout the day and this will show if your adrenals are working as they should i.e. highest in the morning, tapering off throughout the day and lowest at night. You may find the following link of interest:-

drlam.com/downloads/Fatigue...

[canyouhearmeaya]

Ferritin and iron are going to be tested, is that suffice?

[canyouhearmeaya]

ashwagandha + tyrosine last year seemed to make a huge improvement to symptoms... haven't tried again since.

When I remembered this recently it also lead me to believe it may be thyroid?

Mood improved, energy, motivation, bowels stRted moving properly, libido returned..

[canyouhearmeaya]

Any other thoughts on my results ATM ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

The fact you have recently given up smoking ......very important to get thyroid antibodies tested

verywell.com/does-smoking-c...

[canyouhearmeaya in reply to SlowDragon]

Tomorrow is full bloods. One big reason I always started smoking again was to control my bowels, same with caffeine. Without caffeine and cigarettes my body and brain always feels like its working slower. Even after qutting caffeine for 6 months and smoking for 3, it's never "sped up" again, bowels continue to feel sluggish!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to canyouhearmeaya]

You may have Hashimoto's (high thyroid antibodies). Smoking can suppress antibodies.

Magnesium supplements are good for constipation

[canyouhearmeaya in reply to SlowDragon]

Can ashwaghanda be used to manage hashi's? I have some more coming tomorrow, was considering trying it again after having the bloods taken tomorrow.

I also have kept tablets but have been hesistant to take them as it seems iodine could be beneficial or detrimental?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to canyouhearmeaya]

Personally I wouldn't take anything that messes with adrenals (ashwaghanda)

Kelp or iodine definitely NOT recommended for anyone with Hashimoto's.

drknews.com/iodine-and-hash...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[canyouhearmeaya in reply to SlowDragon]

If it was hasimotos, should eating guten make symptoms worse?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to canyouhearmeaya]

No it's more that stopping all gluten may reduce symptoms and antibodies slowly

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[canyouhearmeaya in reply to SlowDragon]

Ah I see, preventative. I guess until my results come in, I'm just guessing. Strangely, I want it to be my thyroid just to finally have an explantation!!