Hi all, I've just had some test results back from medicheck after feeling awful for ages...all the usual symptoms of tiredness, brain fog, pins and needles, muscle aches...all the usual stuff of being a busy working mum...or so the doctor says. My doc tested my thyroid a few weeks back and it was 2.83 but this was a test done late in the afternoon. I since got the medicheck test done and took the blood in the morning. My results are below, bit everything seems a bit low, apart from Tsh and CRP which look high, so don't know where to start or what to do next. Hoping someone knowledgeable can help please, so I can go back to my doctor armed with information...I'm beyond fed up of feeling so awful all the time.
Thank you, sorry it is long. I have tried to upload a photo of the results so hope it works!
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I'm no expert, I was just like u at my wits end, with test results, worse. This site, has given me so much help& info, let an expert advise u, but you'll soon start feeling better, your report was fine to read....hang in there🐝
Thyroid wise I think you’re undertreated as TSH is high and T4 low in range. Interesting that your FT3 is quite high in range despite low T4. If you’re taking levothyroxine I wonder if your results suggest that you’re fighting something off at the moment, an infection perhaps leading to high Ft3. High crp Is perhaps indicating inflammation / infection also. Raising levothyroxine will reduce TSH, not sure if it’s possible to reduce crp too. Will be interested in your other replies x
Hi, I'm not currently being treated for anything other than low ferritin. Not diagnosed with any thyroid issues, but did the tests as I have symptoms and a family history of thyroid and autoimmune problems.
My CRP surprised me too, as I hadn't got an infection that I was aware of at the time of the test, so will have to chat with the doctor about that one!
Your TSH is high, above the test range, but sadly not high enough to make your Gp think 'this person needs treating for hypothyroidism', which is what you appear to have got. The Gp in Uk, but not all countries, would wait till the TSH reaches 10 - far too high. Otherwise your thyroid results are reasonable: no evidence as yet of thyroid autoimmune antibodies. If you feel bad, and you might well do with this TSH level, try to convince your doctor to let you have a trial dose of levothyroxin of 50 mcg daily ( assuming you are under 50); test again after 6 weeks. You could show your Gp the folate, ferritin and B12 results, and see if he/ she is willing to supplement all of them ( and although not tested your VitD might also be very low), if not you could do this yourself. Look up SeasideSusie's regular posts/ replies re good Vit/ min levels( optimal need to be in the upper end of ranges), supplements, and when to take them. Selenium, magnesium, zinc , K2( mark7) are also considered good for hypothyroidism. You will find you will be lucky to get more than TSH tested by your doctor, even when diagnosed, many of us continue with the private testing of thyroid and VitD, B12, folate and ferritin.
Thank you. I seem to be fobbed off by the doctor each time so not sure I'll get very far by showing these results but will give it a go. If nothing else at least I know I need to get my b12 and folate up significantly and maybe that will help.
Everything I've read says a tsh at this level and low t4 should suggest that the thyroid is struggling, and I don't want to leave it until it gets to 10...if I feel like this now if hate to know what it feels like at that high! I have a family history of thyroid issues, including my dad, but that didn't seem to even register with the doctor.
Guess I'll just have to keep asking and hope that they eventually give in and try something. I'm 31 and feel like I am 81 most of the time.
Upping your B vitamins should definitely help. You may also want to get your calcium checked as low calcium can cause many symptoms including pins and needles and brain problems (it's needed for your nerves as well as your bones etc). I recommend Dr Peatfield's book if you want to learn how to check your metabolic rate - which is what your thyroid regulates - and possibly self medicate. And on a basic level, are you sleeping enough?
I will note those down to ask the doctor about too, thank you. I'm getting 8 hours a night so should be plenty...but feels like I've been up all night.
Hi, thank you for replying. The low b12 and folate jumped out at me too. My ferritin was also low at 30 a couple of months ago so taking on ferrous fumerate everyday seems to be helping...although as soon as I stop that it always starts to drop again. Interesting that the thyroid could be linked to these.
I often feel like I have a lump on my throat and am aware of when I am swallowing if you know what I mean.
I do suffer a lot with extreme bloating and dodgy stomach. I can't have too much dairy so use the lacto free range mostly. My doctor did the blood test for cealic and said it was normal.
I have an appointment on Friday so will ask about the Vitamin D test too.
Your gut symptoms suggest gluten intolerance, very common with leaky gut and/or low stomach acid.
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms and help gut heal.
Gluten intolerance, but not coeliac is extremely common with thyroid problems. Gluten intolerance can be as serious as coeliac, there's just no easy test for it
Persistent low vitamins with supplements suggests coeliac disease or gluten intolerance
Low stomach acid is common problem and very linked to low B12. Doctors frequently misdiagnose as high acid and prescribe PPI (omeprazole or Lansoprazole etc) making problems worse
Thank you, I shall have a read through those links before my doctor's appointment on Friday. There are a few things to be looking at so hopefully they will be able to figure it out.
Did your Dr tell you to eat gluten for 6 weeks 'before' testing for Coeliac? This is important. Mine didn't. The result was probably a false negative for me and may have been for you too. Because you have the lump in the throat sensation and the swallowing issue, you are likely on the right track of it being a thyroid problem. Though this country is cruel waiting until people are over TSH 10 before automatically treating even with basic T4. We are the only country who does this, other countries recognise a problem once you are over TSH 3.
I hadn't stopped eating gluten altogether, but there are days when I don't have any at all. I've fruit for breakfast, jacket potato for lunch then meat, potatoes and veg for tea. This maybe happens 2 or 3 times a week, other days I will probably have a sandwich so will have a couple of slices of bread. I'm guessing this would be enough to show up positive if gluten was an issue. The doctor said the results were normal and that I can't have a false negative if I'd still been eating gluten.
And you're correct, she completely dismissed the thyroid as results were within range. As long as they aren't starred on her sheet as out of range she won't even consider it. I even asked if she believed that I couldn't possibly be exhibiting symptoms with results at the higher (tsh) or lower (b12) end of the ranges and that symptoms magically appear as soon as you cross that threshd by 0.01 and her stock response was 'you're in range so it's fine'
Just got to wait for the same bloods to be done by the NHS now (not quite the same as the b12 is just normal, not active like I had done) as she couldn't accept my private results so will see what they come back with and take the battle from there!
Thank you for taking the time to respond, all of the advice from here is so valuable!
Unfortunately Drs are sadly lacking as all they go by are standard tests that are inadequate. It is definate that you would have to consume gluten everyday for six weeks for the test to be accurate. Without this, it is not going to show the truth. Even if you discount this, there may be a high chance that gluten aggravates you and you may be sensitive rather than coeliac. For me, my inadequate test was negative but having read so many books on auto immune issues, I decided to illiminate gluten and wheat (it is in so many things, not just bread). The result is that I feel much better and this happens with so many thyroid people, not just me. Ultimately, it is a choice for everyone to make. I have gone from a sick person who adores bread and most things with gluten and wheat in to a much healthier person who has found healthy alternatives, enjoys them and there is no going back. I want my life to keep on improving and wouldn't go back to gluten and wheat again if you paid me. Re all your tests, the ranges are so wide, that usually, we are told its normal but the numbers may not be optimal. The thyroid needs optimal numbers to function well. Vit D, B12, Folate and Iron, all need to be optimal in order to be well. Active B12 is more helpful though if you have been supplementing with B12, it will slew your NHS results and they will say it is fine. Its a minefield unfortunately. Most of us have to be our own advocate . . . . thankfully there is a lot of info out there though it doesnt necessarily tie up with NHS guidance.
Basically, you have hypothyroidism, but the NHS won't treat you until TSH is over 10 or free T4 is under range. You will probably feel better if you improve B12 and folate, but they are so low that you need to get tested for pernicious anaemia. It does not appear to be autoimmune thyroid disease. TSH is highest in the morning and falls through the day, so always get an early morning test.
I will ask about the anaemia, thank you. Not holding out much hope that the doctor even acknowledges the thyroid results after all the comments about it needing to be above 10. Fingers crossed most of my symptoms are due to B12 and folate then so I can improve it!
Remember to say "pernicious anaemia" as it different from iron deficiency anaemia. You might find it helpful to pop over to the HU Pernicious Anaemia Society group for advice.
A decent GP will give you a trial of Levothyroxine with these results if you ask for it. You may need to see different GP's at your practice to find one who will. But it happens.
I guess my doc is definitely not one of the decent ones then. My thyroid is 'perfectly fine' and I had to push for the PA test. Hoping that something comes back on that to explain it all to be honest.
I will do that, you thank you. I have a multivitamin with b vitamins in it that I take each day, would this have affected the results? Should I stop that now then until after seeing the doctor?
Well I just got back from the doctors and as I guessed as my B12 is in range she didn't even want to consider it and wouldn't listen to the symptoms at all. She also said that the thyroid is in normal range and the one they did a few weeks back (which was TSH 2.89 from a 3pm test - she said the time of day didn't matter!) is the one they look at and won't consider my private results. Then I got upset and told her that something has to be going on to feel like I do she said that she'd do the IFA test (although then didn't put it on the blood form!!!) and repeat the B12 and folate so she can get some 'real' results. I asked about not starting folate till B 12 is confirmed and she said fine, she will refer me to the specialist but it will be quite a few weeks before an appointment...so in the mean time I've just got to put up with it!
I went ahead with the knowledge that you all have me, thank you so much for that, but she really didn't want to listen at all. Hopefully the specialist will be more understanding...when I eventually get to see them!
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I don't know how to eat! :(
I don't understand these results
Results - don't know what to make of them
where do I start / onycholysis
Don't know where to go next !
