Could this be Hashimotos?

[cupcakegirl]

My test results are so variable that one of the private companies I used offered me a retest. I’m so confused. (Currently undiagnosed / no treatment)

TSH

16/02 2.3 (0.27-4.3)

07/05 5.95 (0.27-4.2)

22/05 1.64 (0.27-4.3)

FT4

16/02 15.6 (12-22)

07/05 15.7 (12-23)

22/05 14.7 (12-22)

T4

16/02 123 (59-154)

07/05 91.2 (66-181)

22/05 88.5 (59-154)

FT3

16/02 4.95 (3.1-6.8)

07/05 6.53 (3.1-6.8)

22/05 5.37 (3.1-6.8)

TPO

16/02 16 (0-34)

07/05 16.1 (0-34)

22/05 22.8 (0-34)

TGAB

16/02 <10 (0-115)

07/05 <10 (0-115)

22/05 12 (0-115)

In the early May test I was also very low in Vit D (19.9) and folate (1.65) so getting that sorted is my first priority but I really felt like the increase in TSH might help with my case for a trial of Levo. Now I’m baffled. I notice my TPO antibodies are up so that May be related but still not enough to be out of range.

Could it be Hashimotos even with TPO at this level? I don’t know what else to think.

[Jazzw]

So, which 2 of those test results are from the same company? Both of the ones done in May? And which company was it?

I can see why you’re so confused.

How are you feeling?

I think Hashi’s *is* possible even in the absence of antibodies, but it’s frustrating for you not to be sure.

[cupcakegirl in reply to Jazzw]

The early May test was Medichecks, the rest were Thriva. My first thought was that the Medichecks one must be wrong but then some things are consistent so that seems unlikely.

I read that any antibodies can be a sign of illness, and some people have Hashis and never have antibodies, let alone over the range. One thing I read, which I now can’t find, is that TPO antibodies in double digits means Hashis is very likely. They have increased (the first test I had back in September last year they were 12.7 so they’ve almost doubled since then).

First thing I need to do is get my vitamin D and folate sorted, but after the last test I was really hopeful that I might be able to get some help. Now I feel back to square one.

[cupcakegirl in reply to cupcakegirl]

And honestly, I feel absolutely awful. Severely fatigued, absent sex drive, thinning hair, weight gain, joint pain, burning sensation in limbs, palpitations, acne, brain fog, anxiety, so many things I struggle to remember them all!

[JennaShi in reply to cupcakegirl]

Have you checked your iron levels? It sounds like there are other issues as well. Have you checked your hormones as well as Iron? I too have burning sensations but havent figured out what it is. I think it has something to do with nerves. The palpitations you mentioned are puzzling. Are you taking something for t3? I used to have graves and that was a symptom of hyperthyroidism. I have been told that you can have periods of hyperthyroidism if you have hashimotos. Maybe look into TSI antibodies for graves disease?

[cupcakegirl in reply to JennaShi]

My ferritin level in early May was 59.1 (13-150) and active B12 was 60.9 (25-165) but that’s all I had done. Going to ask my GP if he thinks anything else needs doing.

Palpitations come and go - every night for a few weeks / month and then none for a while. I don’t have any other hyperthyroid symptoms though. I’ve read the burning sensations could be peripheral neuropathy. I’ve also recently had really painful spasms in my ribs which is very odd. I’m not taking anything apart from morphine due to endometriosis

I just feel like giving up right now - I don’t feel like it’s ever going to get any better.

[JennaShi in reply to cupcakegirl]

Might be worth looking into iron a little more. Isnt ferritin the stored iron? Might wanna ask their opinion on it, but I think it might help if they were a little higher. Thats probably not your one one of the main issues. I just checked my last lab and my ferritin was at an 8. It was due to heavy periods which is not the full issue.

Sorry not sure about optima's on b12, however Optimals help for sure. Have you looked into your gut health? It has been said that a leaky gut is an open door to auto immune diseases. Its also something allopathic medicine doesnt check for or really believe in. Might be worth looking into if you havent already and are interested.

Thats interesting about your palpitations. I know an access amount of t3 can do this but do not know too much more about it sorry. Its worth pursuing though for sure!

And have also looked into peripheral nueropathy as well. Have you considered looking into where one of the nerves in your back is causing the spasms? The body is so complex, i think that is worth pursuing as well. I try to google search as much as I can and reword my questions. I just brought up the burning sensations to my functional med doc and he said

[JennaShi in reply to JennaShi]

It could be spinal subluxation compressed nerves. But I deffinitely get what your saying and I can relate. It sucks feeling like death. I hope you are able to figure out whats going on.

[Jazzw in reply to JennaShi]

Just realised you’d already said what I’ve just said. Ah well, consensus of opinion!

[JennaShi in reply to Jazzw]

I totally agree :)!

[Jazzw in reply to cupcakegirl]

Horrible for you xxx

So it’s the Medichecks TSH and FT3 levels that are very different to the Thriva TSH and FT3 levels. And I take it the Active B12 was also a Medichecks result?

Did Medichecks ever get back to you about the unusual results?

I’m thinking, if you take out the early May results, the answer isn’t obviously a wonky thyroid. Sure, a TSH over 2 is edging out of normal, but not so much that it’s conclusive. Like JennaShi , I’m wondering whether it’s one of (or a combination of) low B12, low Vit D and/or low iron.

Think it would be worth asking your doctor to test B12 and do a full iron profile to see what’s going on. If both are low, then it might be worth considering whether there’s an underlying gut absorption problem, for example, Coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity.

[cupcakegirl in reply to Jazzw]

Thanks. That’s right, yes. Thing is I have had elevated TSH levels in the past, by the GP, where I was told it was “borderline”, so who knows what those levels were. This is going back years and a couple of house moves so no way of knowing really. At the time I didn’t know too much about it and didn’t push it and wasn’t tested for a long time, until I was pregnant in 2016. My symptoms have correlated with hypothyroidism for a very long time (11 years since it started) but I know there are so many overlaps. It’s so difficult. My son is having serious health issues at the moment, suspected genetic disorder which has various elements including (big shock) pituitary issues and hypothyroidism. There’s a big history of thyroid issues in my family, including thyroid cancer at a young age. I don’t know, maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree - I think I’m just desperate for it to be something that can actually be treated!

[cupcakegirl in reply to cupcakegirl]

Medichecks just said it’s definitely right. I questioned further and they asked for my others results and said they’d look into it. I’ve emailed them again today with the new results as that seems like a giant shift in two weeks.

[JennaShi]

Yes, I think it could be so. Your immune could possibly be surpressed right now.

I assumed I had hashimotos and had to order test online. So I ate a bunch of glutenous sweets and went and got tested. I figured one more day of eating this stuff and feeling horrible may spike a flare up and my antibodies will show up. They sure showed up, although I know they didnt create over night, I think it helped. Might be worth a shot if you arent diabetic. Thats wonderful that you are able to get tested regularly, I hope that you are able to find the answer you are looking for.

[cupcakegirl in reply to JennaShi]

Thank you Jenna. Yes, I think that’s a really good idea. When I see my GP on Friday I’ll be focusing on getting my vit D and folate sorted but will show him the results, and I guess I’ll repeat in a month or two and make sure I eat a reasonable amount of gluten and sugar in the preceding days (I don’t eat much of either usually, apart from sugar in my coffee)

[JennaShi in reply to cupcakegirl]

Also, have you looked into an allergy test? I recently got one that also tested for IGG antibodies on things such as meat and gluten. It might worth looking into to see what you are allergic to as that could also make you feel even more crummy. Have you tested for celiac or have symptoms of? I have also been told going off gluten and dairy makes a big dofference if you havent already. For me, I have to eliminate sugary things for the most part as well.

[cupcakegirl in reply to JennaShi]

I’ve had allergy tests before as I’m anaphylactic to nuts and seeds but only skin prick tests.

I’m just so tired of all this, I just want to stop feeling like death - I am hoping getting on a good amount of vit D will help a lot

[JennaShi in reply to cupcakegirl]

I hear ya, and am sorry you aren’t feeling well. I hope the vitamin d helps as well!

[Clarrisa]

My mother’s back “decalcified” with her pregnancies. If you lifted over 1/2 your weight during your couple of house moves, spinal compressed nerves (Jenna mentioned earlier) sounds like a real possibility. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[cupcakegirl in reply to Clarrisa]

I didn’t do much lifting when we were moving (I was pregnant first time and then looking after the twins for the second). However, I’ve had horrendous back problems since pumping for my twins - did it every couple of hours for 7 months and still in pain more than a year on. Had some physio and got some exercises but they haven’t helped. A large section of my back has altered sensation. GP just says I have fibromyalgia. My right foot is so painful I can barely walk - was sent to physio, they identified scar tissue, broke it down and it seemed miraculously fixed... for about six hours and then back to square one.

I don’t have the energy to keep battling on to figure it out. Under a lot of stress at the moment with my sons health and it’s just all too much.

[Clarrisa in reply to cupcakegirl]

I had right foot pain too for about a year. It was not continuous, it flared walking or driving any distance. I went to a South Korean exercise group at a local church & after one morning of doing these (online) stretches it really improved overnight. I could not believe it. These stretch routines were well rounded, each stretch brief in nature compared to Physical Therapy, & much easier to do. The pain was very stressful in itself. Take Care.