Recently diagnosed but now confused over yesterday’s bloods results??

[Jomorris79]

Hi all I was told 2 weeks ago I had secondary hypothyroidism, I had been exhausted constantly for a few months and struggling to lose weight that I’ve gained for no apparent reason, always feel cold and zero libido. I’m currently on 100mg Sertraline for anxiety and OCD. I’ve got my results here, wondering if they mean anything to anyone, got a phone consult on Wednesday but don’t know what they are going to say! Thanks in advance xx

[Jazzw]

Was it the doctor who said it might be secondary hypothyroidism? If so, that’s probably a misread of the blood test results. On 14th May you had a suppressed TSH and high FT3 which if anything suggested Graves Disease. However - you now have a normal TSH (and they very unhelpfully didn’t test FT3 this time), so it seems more likely you have Hashimoto’s (otherwise known as autoimmune thyroid disease). Hashimoto’s happens when you develop antibodies and your thyroid comes under attack. During an attack (because it can come and go), your thyroid is damaged and releases too much T3. Later on, it’s likely you’ll develop hypothyroidism - an underactive thyroid.

If the doctor doesn’t suggest it, I’d ask for thyroid antibodies to be tested to see what’s going on.

Are you feeling better than you did a couple of weeks ago?

[Jomorris79 in reply to Jazzw]

Hi Jazz thanks for responding, I’m still tired all the time just today after a good 8 hour sleep last night I’ve just had a 2 hour nap. I’ve started slimming world again this week to see if I can shift the weight and I still have no libido. It’s 26 degrees here and I’m on the sofa with a fluffy cover over me 🙈. So the chances are on Wednesday the doctor which is my own GP (I saw a different on after the May 14th bloods) is going to tell me I’ve not got hypothyroidism??? What can I say to be tested for Graves and Hashimoto’s I need to know what’s wrong with me I’ve always had a ton of energy even with my 4 year old and 19 month old children. I’ve always been able to exercise daily at a high intensity and now it’s all gone. I can’t feel like this anymore xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Would agree with Jazzw your results on May 14th showed hyperthyroid and now low or hypothyroid

That's classic Hashimoto's also more commonly known here in UK to medics as autoimmune thyroid disease

Ask for both TPO and TG Antibodies to be tested.

You need vitamin D tested too

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Your folate is currently very low, B12 on low side and ferritin less than half way in range

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

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

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

Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

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.