Hi everyone I have a question and a profile of results I’d love your opinion on. I’ve been feeling crummy in a hypothyroid way for years (fatigue, brain fog, peeling nails, hair loss, aching joints etc etc ) and finally got docs to agree to test anti-bodies as well as usual thyroid hormones. My results are as follows (can’t remember the lab ranges but I can tell you if they are normal or low from memory)
TSH 0.02 (very low. Think the bottom of the range starts at 0.5)
T4 15.4 (Normal. Think range is 10-24)
TPO 235 (very high. Think range max was 35)
Now they want to test my T3. Why they didn’t do it in first place is beyond me. Doctor said something about checking in case I have ‘T3 toxicosis’ which is all very well but that aligns with Hyper/Graves and my symptoms don’t match that.
Anyway, from my research aligned with my symptoms it all points to secondary (pituitary) hypothyroidism. Does this ring true for any of you?
Written by
Hillz2000
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I’m only ‘hashi’ in so far as my gp ‘thinks so’ but is awaiting help from specialist. Said specialist (who I’ve yet to meet) has advised to check my T3 before they see me. Not currently being treated with anything as this is all only starting to get traction with the doctors for me now.
I take vitamin d, chromium, beta carotene and vitamin b complex. Brazil nuts every day for selenium & magnesium citrate at night.
You don't need a specialist to tell you you have Hashi's. The antibodies have told you! And, why they didn't test your FT3 before is because your TSH was that low before, I imagine. They only test it if the TSH is very low. They are far more interested in hyper than in hypo!
As SlowDragon has said, you could have had a Hashi's flare. The FT4 is now back in range, but the TSH always lags behind. Doctors understand nothing about all that.
Did you get your vit D, B12 and folate tested before starting supplementing? Very unwise to start without testing first. And, not much point in taking beta carotene because hypos can't convert it. Why do you think you need vit A? Too much is toxic.
Hey guys, sorry on holiday in Donegal so only have minimal reception! Starting supplementing our if desperation becuase all these tests and getting a diagnosis is taking forever and I feel so drained. Was hoping some of the functional medicine advice I’ve seen time and time again regarding those vitamins would help perk me up while I wait.
Also did you stop the B complex 3-5 days before this blood test?
If not, you better ask GP to repeat it as biotin in B complex can cause false results
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
Brazil nuts only contain selenium if the bag says "grown in selenium rich soil"
Suggest you test vitamin D before continuing
Vitamindtest.org.uk £29 NHS postal kit
Your high antibodies confirm you have Hashimoto's.
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
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, ask for vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at same time
Thanks everyone. So reassuring to have all your voices and better advised wisdom! Fingers crossed they get to the bottom of this soon. I’m so shattered and every day I wake up more drained than the day before. I’m on holiday with my children right now and I can barely find the energy to play with them
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