Newbie requiring help with results

[Cinnamon009]

Hi, I'm new and undiagnosed and not on any thyroid meds. GP has previously just said my results are in normal ranges (which I now understand means nothing). So i paid for a medichecks test attached. I am guessing the raised antibodies may mean Hashimotos. When I speak to the GP what should I be pushing for or should I get a referral to a private endo through my health insurance (UK). I am reading through everything which may help with my symptoms (hair loss, sudden weight gain, brain fog, fatigue, anxiety etc) but just no idea where to start.

[Judithdalston]

You have Hashimoto's hypothyroidism with raised thyroid autoimmune antibodies, but your Gp is unable to do much about this. The forum suggests trying a gluten free diet( 85% or so of suffers have 'leaky' guts, that are characterised by poor absorption), even dairy free. Hashimoto's is consequently typified by poor, if not deficient, levels of essential Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin. Your folate and Vit D need improvemnent ( you didn't get ferritin [ iron] tested). Folate should be at least halfway thru the range.; D3 100-150. Improving these factors will help improve the antibodies ( they go on to attack the thyroid gland mistakingly believing it to be 'alien', creating periods when Thyroid hormones rise as dead Thyroid cells, complete with hormones, are dumped into the blood stream). Unfortunately it means your TSH level your Gp uses to diagnose hypothyroidism, will fluctuate up and down. Uk doctors tend to use 10 as the TSH figure for diagnosis, which is far greater than some countries. So your Gp would say you are not hypothyroid, and currently your tests are ok. Explain to your doctor what your main symptoms are, how much they effect you daily life and ask for a trial of 50 mcg daily of levothyroxin for 6 weeks. I have no idea what your private health insurance covers re endocrinologist- if you go down this route ask Thyroid Uk for list of recommended endows who seem abit more sympathetic to Hashimoto's and are not diabetic specialists ..who will shoo you away.

[Cinnamon009]

Thanks Judith. From everything I have read I like the idea of natural desiccated thyroid supplement but would it be usual to start on that without trying synthetic first? It might be easier to get a private prescription for low dose ndt online than convince my gp.

[shaws Administrator]

email Dionne at TUK. emal below.

[e-mail]

Ask for a copy of Dr Toft's online article and highlight the part where he states that if we have antibodies, we should be prescribed. In other countries we are prescribed if TSH goes above 3, but in the UK - for some unknown reason - we have to wait until it reaches 10 and by that time we can be very symptomatic.

Some people source their own hormones rather than wait for GP.

When you have blood tests for thyroid hormones it has to be at the earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and if you were taking thyroid hormones you'd not take them until after the test. This helps keep the TSH at its highest as it drops throughout the day and seems to be the only thing doctors look at. TSH means thyroid stimulating hormone, it is from the pituitary gland (not thyroid) and tries to pump out more hormones from the failing thyroid gland.

Others will respond re your vitamins.

[shaws Administrator]

This is some info:-

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Hashi-hacker]

Hi Cinnamon, this was me Dec 2016! Since then I've used various resources including chriskresser.com/ for general health info and thyroidpharmacist.com/ for specific Hashi's info and made huge steps forward in my health.

Fast forward to now and I'm gluten and dairy free, take 200mg Selenium plus Vit C, D, K, Magnesium and B complex plus 4.5ml Low Dose Naltrexone. My symptoms have reduced although my free T3 and Thyroid Peroxidase numbers haven't shifted. Next step on the journey is that I have booked an appointment with a private endo to ask the question whether I should be trialling meds, or what else I should do. (After getting a the heave-ho from an NHS endo, who said he's only consider meds if my TSH was 7 or over and Hashi's is irrelevant).

I hope this tiny snippet is a glimmer of hope that there are lots of things you can do to reduce your symptoms, and there are lots of lovely, informed, people on this forum who can help you on your way to feeling better.

Best wishes x

[Cinnamon009]

Thanks lyndsay that is really helpful. I have read about LDN so might consider it further down the line. Do you get it through your GP as it seems to be unlicensed in the UK?