Hi,
My medichecks test done on 2nd May showed a TSH of 6.82 and high thyroid antibodies. On the 14th, TSH came back at 3.8 with G.P. Lipids are still out of range. I’m on 100 micrograms of levothyroxine and my hair has thinned out a lot and I have brain fog. DOMS from exercise lasting longer.
G.P. Has referred me to endocrinologist at Salford Royal. Anyone got experience of dealing with them?
Your previous post shows you are under medicated. Have you had dose increase
Or had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested?
Low vitamins are extremely common
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor please email Dionne at
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
Also request list of recommended thyroid specialists. There may be Salford one
Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine
(Many of us need TSH nearer 0.2 than 2.0 to feel well)
See box
Thyroxine replacement in primary hypothyroidism
pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...
As you have Hashimoto's are you on strictly gluten free diet?
Hashimoto's often affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Low ferritin and/or lie zinc linked to hair loss
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)
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...
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood
That’s really helpful. I’m not convinced about going gluten free and leaky gut. I am convinced by the role of vitamins. I take iron, B vitamins and vitamin D most nights with my main meal. My G.P. is worried about my thyroid and lipid levels. I am not keen on taking statins as I think it’s my thyroid that isn’t adequately treated.
The clinic I’ve been referred to is the Fast Track Thyroid Clinic. I’m hoping it helps. The G.P. took a copy of my bloods from Medichecks to put with the referral.
I’m learning fast that most healthcare professionals don’t understand thyroid conditions, and that you have to try and become an expert yourself.
NHS link about high cholesterol being due to being hypothyroid.
nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
Yes I never considered I had gluten issues. No symptoms whatsoever. Turn out to be severely gluten intolerant, confirmed by endoscopy. Pity I wasted 20 years believing negative coeliac tests.
Link to search for Salford - might give you some advice info on possible endo
Top Trumps Endocrinology
endocrinology visit 
Endocrinology Appointment...
4.3 TSH and feeling awful
GP referred me to Endocrinology
