I'm new, and yet to see my GP. I tested positive for the antibodies at an earlier (unrelated) appointment so my GP ordered these test results but they've come back confusing. Makes me wonder if there's anything wrong at all! Perhaps you can help. Here they are:
Ferritin 10 (13 - 150.00) ( I made a mistake and typed 11 earlier but it's 10, and has gone down from 11 in 4 weeks.
TPO antibodies 223 (0 - 60 U/ml)
thyroglobulin antibodies Abs 139 (0 - 60 U/ml)
Serum TSH 1.69 (0.27 - 4.20mlU/L)
Serum Free T4 13.7 (12.00 - 22.00pmol?L)
Hb normal 124 (115 - 155.00g/L
Mean corpusc Hb conc (red blood cell distribution width) 15.8 (11.50 15.00%)
Does this mean my thyroid is functioning well despite antibodies? Why would the haemoglobin be ok but the ferritin so low?
All other blood test are fine. As was the one I did 6 months ago.
Thank you!
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Thanks Judith! Yes, of course. I'm not on any meds. The antibodies were flagged in a separate investigation and my GP just ordered these other results. I'm seeing her in a week but I'd like to know a little before hand.
Ferritin 10 (13 - 150.00) ( I made a mistake and typed 11 earlier but it's 10, and has gone down from 11 in 4 weeks.
TPO antibodies 223 (0 - 60 U/ml)
thyroglobulin antibodies Abs 139 (0 - 60 U/ml)
Serum TSH 1.69 (0.27 - 4.20mlU/L)
Serum Free T4 13.7 (12.00 - 22.00pmol?L)
Hb normal 124 (115 - 155.00g/L
Mean corpusc Hb conc (red blood cell distribution width) 15.8 (11.50 15.00%)
right well you know you have Hashimoto's from both raised thyroid autoimmune antibodies , and it is likely your thyroid test results will in future, if not now, fluctuate as the antibodies mistakenly attack your thyroid believing it is 'alien' . As this happens dead thyroid cells, complete with thyroid hormone, are dumped into the blood as waste, resulting in peaks for thyroid hormone level results, plus periods of 'normality'. Possibly until you are truely hypothyroid with permanent need for levothyroxin etc. Many members find a gluten free diet, even dairy free too, helps minimise the antibodies. Hashimoto's is also characterised by poor absorption including vitamins/ minerals from our food/drink and supplements via the digestive system. Thus our Vit/ mins are often low. It is particular important that Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin are tested at the upper end of their ranges, and treated/maintained for good thyroid health. Your Ferritin level is awful, as I am sure you know, best 100-130 for menstruating women. Have you had the others tested? If your doctor is reluctant many of us use private labs like Medichecks and Blue Horizon. If you are deficient your Gp should treat you ( but perhaps not to get level high enough). I recommend you look at SeasideSusie's posts/ replies re min/ Vit levels- eg yesterday she answered 'Mozart'.
Thanks Judith – I suspected I had Hashimoto's as I had the antibodies but the thyroid results threw me a little. I will check all of these other things. I felt I had symptoms – hair loss, low libido, dry itchy skin, fatigue etc – but my GP dismissed them all! Thanks so much for taking the time to explain all of this. I will look up SeasideSusie for further info.
Your ferritin is very low, so GP should run full iron panel to test for Anaemia
Your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's
Your FT4 is right at bottom of range, so your thyroid is probably struggling. Technically GP would probably say your results are sub-clinical.
You really need FT3 tested, but NHS often refuses.
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels can 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
You just might find if you improved your vitamins and tried strictly gluten free diet you might improve. But most of us need starting on replacement thyroid hormones. Levothyroxine is started at 50mcg dose initially.
Hello SlowDragon, thank you for all this advice. I will check out these sites and post any questions I have. I feel ok, but have what I think are some symptoms of hypothyroidism however this doesn't seem to be borne out by the other blood results.
I'll see what my GP has to say but I'm glad of these pointers as I'd like to fully understand my own health rather than simply accept her interpretations.
No, it doesn't. Free T4 is far too low - needs to be up the top part of the range, and with that terrible ferritin, even if you had enough free T4 you'd probably not be able to convert it to T3. Your high MCH is pointing towards anaemia. Have you had a full iron panel done? Have you have B12 and folate tested?
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