Help with bloods please

[jojo2022]

I haven't been feeling well for some years so I had some private bloods done. Could anyone please tell me what they mean.

Thank you

TOTAL THYROXINE 82 (59 - 154)

FREE THYROXINE 12.9 (12.0 - 22.0)

*THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 11.07 (0.27 - 4.20)

FREE T3 4.0 (3.1 - 6.8)

*THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY 504.3 (0 - 115)

*THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODY 480.5 (0 - 34)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Take these results to your GP early next week

Your results show you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

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

You will need starting on introductory dose of Levothyroxine - normally 50mcg daily unless over 50 years old, or heart condition

NHS guidelines saying here that standard starter dose is 50mcgs

beta.nhs.uk/medicines/levot...

Blood is retested after 6-8 weeks and then dose is increased slowly in 25mcg steps, retesting each time. Most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg.

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels. Low vitamin levels can affect Thyroid hormone working too

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Ask GP to do so

Always get actual results and ranges. Post vitamin results when you have them, members can advise. Likely to need supplementing to improve. GP will prescribe if these are deficient

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

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

But don't be surprised that GP never mentions gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's gut connection is very poorly understood

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased

Avoid starting on Teva brand of Levothyroxine unless lactose intolerant. Many people don't get on with Teva

[jojo2022 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, I have vitamins checked because of frequent deficiencies appearing and then going away and returning, but I don't think what I take makes a huge difference to levels.

[jojo2022 in reply to SlowDragon]

I am currently on gluten challenge.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jojo2022]

So when is endoscopy booked for? Should be 6 weeks wait maximum

Post vitamin results and ranges

[jojo2022 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, the endoscopy hasn't yet been booked, thr doctor doesn't know I'm doing the gluten challenge. I will insist on the coeliac screen and endoscopy when I see him or her next week.

[Marz]

Really impressed you knew to have Private Testing done As you have only just joined - perhaps you have been reading posts and learning ! Who did the tests ? Always good for members to have a feedback if you had the idea from someone here !

[jojo2022 in reply to Marz]

Thank you, I have been feeling unwell for so many years and was fobbed off by doctor after bloods for thyroid came back normal 3 times despite symptoms. I knew something wasn't right because my thyroid swelled up and the scan just showed an enlarged thyroid.

Went back to doctor and was told the thyroid was fine so I did private testing after looking them up and these results came back.

Blue Horizon did the tests.

[jojo2022]

List of symptoms:

Goitre

Dry skin

Sweating

Constipation

Pins and needles

Tiredness

Muscle cramps and twitches

Weight gain

Heavy periods though this one is scanty - almost as if I've run out of blood?

Breathlessness

Pains in ribs and joints