Latest blood test results

[autowhen]

For each of the tests below the normal ranges are:

Normal ranges:.........Free T4 10.50 - 22.00........TSH 0.27 - 4.20

July 2017

....................Free T4 12.6.........................TSH 6.25 [H]

August 2017..............Free T4 12.9..........................TSH 4.22

Anti TPO abs 74 [H]

Dec 2017...................Free t4..????...........................TSH 4.65

Feb 2018...................Free T4 12.2..........................TSH 3.67 (25mg Eltroxin)

Apr 2018...................Free T4 17.8...........................TSH 2.27 (50mg Eltroxin)

T3 test was declined by the lab, and I did not have the energy to fight with the nurse to get private blood tests done this time.

The tests do show an increase in T4 and another decrease in TSH, my question is can I fight the GP to get another increase in Eltroxin from 50mg to 75mg?

(vitamin levels all ok except vit D which I have been high level supplementing the last couple of months)

Thank you for any help/advice.

[greygoose]

You most definitely should. Your TSH is too high. When you are on thyroid hormone replacement, the TSH should be 1 or lower.

The lab will almost always refuse to do FT3 if the other levels are in-range. They don't understand the importance, and just want to save money. But, if you possibly could, it would be a good idea to get your FT3 and FT4 tested to see how well you're converting.

[autowhen in reply to greygoose]

Thank you, I will go back to gp to see if I can persuade them.

[greygoose in reply to autowhen]

You could always do them privately...

[autowhen in reply to greygoose]

I was going to get private blood tests done this time, but want to know how my vitamin D supplementing is going next month and also was too tired to fight with the nurse to get the private test this time.

I have to next persuade my gp to increase the Eltroxin, it is hard having to fight the system all the time.

[greygoose in reply to autowhen]

It is indeed. That's why I gave it up and self-treat.

[shaws]

Your TSH is too high - around 1 or lower is preferred but doctors wrongly believe 'somewhere' in the range is fine and wont increase dose.

50mcg is a starting dose, unless you are very frail with a heart disease.

Considering that T3 is the only Active Thyroid Hormone needed in all of our T3 receptor cells and we have millions we need a sufficient dose of T4 as it has to convert to T3 so we need a sufficient dose.

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

[autowhen in reply to shaws]

Thank you, my GP started me on a low dose as my levels were only "slightly out of range", and was not happy to increase to 50mg last time, saying that "I know that some people say it should be around 2, so I will increase, but not sure about it", so I know I am in for a fight with the gp this time.....

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your TPO antibodies are above range so this confirms you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease

Low vitamins are common . I see you are being treated for low vitamin D. Have you been retested

What about B12, folate and ferritin levels? Are they optimal k or just in range

B12 needs to be towards top of range, folate too

Ferritin at least around 70

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.

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)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first

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...