Hello
I am 31 years old and following some investigations into heavy periods I had some bloods done to say that my thyroid level is abnormal. I am now really worried about what this could mean for me. I would be grateful for any help. Thank you
TSH 6.9 (0.2 - 4.2)
FREE T4 12.7 (12 - 22)
FREE T3 4.0 (3.1 - 6.8)
TPO ANTIBODY 204 (<34)
TG ANTIBODY 386.3 (<115)
Low thyroid hormones can cause heavy periods. So I suppose the implication is that you treat the low thyroid instead of treat8ng period issues, they are just a symptom. Thyroid problems are quite common in women and often easily treatable with medication. But on this site you will find a disproporti9nate number of people who have experienced problems with treatment. Good luck
Thank you I was told I was underactive and I do have other symptoms which I think are close to the mark for hypothyroidism - tiredness, aches and pains, dry skin, swollen thyroid, constipation, hair loss, puffy eyes, weight gain
Yes, you are hypo. 
Did your doctor put you on thyroid hormone replacement - levo?
If I were you, I would also ask for my ferritin to be tested. Low ferritin can often cause heavy periods. And hypos often have low ferritin.
Thank you my ferritin was 25 (30 - 400) I haven't been given any thyroid hormone replacement at all
Well, I think you ought to go back to your doctor and ask why. You are hypo and you need thyroid hormone replacement.
Did he say anything about your ferritin? That is under-range! I'm amazed you can stand up-right! He needs to do a full iron panel, and start investigating why your ferritin is so low. You probably need an iron infusion. Seems like your doctor is being very, very lax!
Hi, well I went to the GP expecting something to be done about the thyroid levels and she just said "you're hypothyroid" but didn't ask me how I was feeling, what symptoms I had. She felt my thyroid and said it was a bit swollen, then the appointment was over and I wasn't given any thyroid hormone replacement at all.
I had a full iron panel and complete blood count. Iron was 9 (6 - 26) transferrin saturation was 14 (12 - 45) and the only thing from complete blood count that was off were MCV 80.5 (83 - 98) and MCHC 369 (310 - 350)
Then you need to go back and be insistant. What is the matter with the silly woman?
I'm afraid I don't know a lot about iron, so I would suggest you write a new post, just asking about your iron - with iron in the title, so that those that do know, will see it and reply.
I wish I knew what was wrong with this GP, I don't understand why I haven't gotten anywhere with her. I will go back tomorrow and insist on better/proper treatment.
Can you see someone else?
See someone else as she is putting you at risk.
We cannot function without the essential thyroid hormones and millions of T3 receptor cells need T3.
When hypothyroid we need thyroid hormone replacements and in the UK, it is levothyroxine (T4) that is prescribed. 50mcg to start with a blood test and 25mcg increases every six weeks until the TSH is 1 or lower. (levothyroxine is T4 only and has to convert to T3).
You are clearly hypo but she is going by the advice she receives that we've not to be diagnosed until the TSH is 10 which is barbaric to say the least.
Tick off your clinical symptoms below and state you have had advice that you should be prescribed 50m g of levo etc.
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
No doctor or endocrinologist in the UK has any knowledge about how to diagnose/treat so that's why we have so many members. We have to read, learn and ask questions to have a life which is symptom-free and not cause us other problems due to inefficient training for both endocrinology and GPs.
Many members source their own hormones if doctor is unwilling.
Laura
"the only thing from complete blood count that was off were MCV 80.5 (83 - 98) and MCHC 369 (310 - 350)"
Those results, along with below range Ferritin, suggest iron deficiency anaemia and your GP should sort out treatment for you.
You have iron deficiency anaemia based on those results. The MCV (the mean size of your red blood cells) is below range because iron deficiency anaemia makes blood cells smaller. Also...your thyroid antibodies (the TPO & TG numbers) are above range. And although I'm relatively new to the thyroid thing myself, as I understand it that indicates Hashimotos Hypothyroidism. It's the autoimmune version where your body attacks your thyroid gland. Honestly can't understand why your doctor is not acting?!! You must be feeling like utter crap!
You also need antibodies checking to rule out Hashimotos. Anti-TPO & Anti-Tg - albeit the NHS only test TPO.
Also B12 - Folate & VitD must be tested and treated.
Absolutely, Marz!!! Before anyone is claimed to be faced with a major problem, the more simple explanation must be corrected first. The antibodies tests would be able to prove a problem and if they are negative, one should also look at reverse T3. Before you presume you have a defective thyroid, you must have that proved.
One woman who had a borderline high TSH had it totally resolve when all the woman needed to do was take 4 tablets of a professional supplement. I know because she asked me for help last October for a different medical issue. The 4 tablets were taken as 4 separate tablets taken with food spread through the day. All she needed was the missing ingredients. She told me her doctor told her she much have been upset about her studies. She was only just turned 21. So I emphasize that it is wrong to consider people sick first before even considering just that they are lacking certain nutrients. I say this with great emphasis as I was turned into a diabetic over 37 years ago just that way and in 2000, I found out I was just below the normal range of my own ability to produce, but now as of a few years ago, it is close to zero. So I warn you it is not a good idea to first presume you are sick but instead just learn and provide the missing ingredients. It only cost the woman what would be just over $1 a day for the 4 tablets which was a half daily dose as she is small and not overweight.
I have helped her for so far 9 months and it took me 2 months to get her to take the supplement, but when she saw what it did she decided to take the others, like more antioxidants. It is unfortunate that I found out supplements cost way more in Europe than in North America. I still think it is an easier approach than turning someone into a thyroid patient for life which is what putting a person on a hormone would end up doing for no good reason at all, unless it is proven the thyroid is already destroyed. But if it is fine, all you need is to get the right nutrients and therefore keep your healthy thyroid.
Food is not just stuff to be burned where it does not matter what you eat, as the true reality is iodine is a critical nutrient and lots of people just don't eat much at all of the type of foods that have iodine in them. And if people are doing a lot of fasting, as I tend to do that is what caused my reverse T3 problem. So in 2014 I asked for having all the tests done and found I have no antibodies of the three tested. My low FT3 was due to mid range reverse T3.
Through 2017 I did three approaches to using T3 in a way not to lose my own ability to produce the hormone and I did get the reverse T3 down to the lower level. But as it costs far too much in Canada, I have to stick with only the supplement approach.
TPO ANTIBODY 204 (<34)
TG ANTIBODY 386.3 (<115)
I added them to my post in case they are not seen. Thank you.
Vitamin results from June 2018
VITAMIN D TOTAL 38.8
(<25 severe vitamin D deficiency...25 - 50 vitamin D deficiency....50 - 75 vitamin D suboptimal....>75 adequate)
FOLATE 4.1 (4.6 - 18.7)
VITAMIN B12 210 (190 - 900)
I take 800iu vitamin D only and folate was not seen as a concern despite being under range
Your Vit D is way too low. NHS acceptable ranges are a scandal. Optimally you need to aim for 100-150nmol/L. 800iu a day will only maintain you at your current level (pointless) and in some instances not even that. Supplement as follows to treat Vit D deficiency (these are endocrine Soc recommendations):
"We suggest that all adults who are vitamin D deficient be treated with 50,000 IU of vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 once a week for 8 wk OR 6000 IU daily for 8 weeks to achieve a blood level of 25(OH)D above 75 nmol/L, followed by maintenance therapy of 1500–2000 IU/d.
In obese patients, patients with malabsorption syndromes, and patients on medications affecting vitamin D metabolism, we suggest a higher dose (two to three times higher; at least 6000–10,000 IU/d) of vitamin D to treat vitamin D deficiency to maintain a 25(OH)D level above 75 nmol/L, followed by maintenance therapy of 3000–6000 IU/d "
Take it with K2. (Stops calcium building in your blood which can be dangerous) I bought a 4000IU Vit D3 supplement from Amazon which had the appropriate ratio of k2 included. Get your level checked after the first month. It's super sunny at the moment so you may find you don't need as long as course of loading doses as your skin is also making vit D while the sun shines! If doc won't test, you can order a kit online. (When is that vit d level from btw?? January or more recent?)
Your folate and b12 are also low. With b12 symptoms can occur anything below 500. So your Docs will say you're "normal" but you may be feeling fatigue, fog, numbness, tingling etc. It would be worth asking for an active b12 test. (HoloTC). The test you had is a total serum b12. But up to 80% of that could be inactive (ie of no use to you whatsoever) and you are close enough to the bottom of the range for that to mean you do actually have a b12 deficiency. You need to get that checked in more depth. Left untreated it can cause permanent nerve damage.
Also, the low folate IS an issue. Folate needs to be at the top of the range in order to use b12. So that does need to be addressed.
Sorry it's long! Hope it helps.
GPs are literally rubbish with all of the above...so we need to get educated and go in armed with knowledge and be insistent to get the right treatment.
Sad but true.
Good luck!
GP has written against TPO antibody result ? Thyroid disease in January 2018
TPO ANTIBODY 347 (<34)
I had TPO and TG antibodies done back in 2015 by Blue Horizon because I was fed up of going back and forth to doctors and being given no answers.
Laura I would definitely go back to the doctors. Preferably see a different one and ask if you could have some medication. I was only borderline when they started treating me and it makes a difference! Best of luck
Check out the NICE clinical guidelines. If you have antibodies, a TSH over 5 and symptoms then you should be started on treatment. GPs are generally rubbish though, mine tried to make me think it was all in my head. And endo only started me on 25 micrograms of thyroxine when I saw her. Just waiting for another blood test from the gp to hopefully get another dose increase. Be prepared to fight! Which is hard when you feel ropey!
You have Hashimoto’s which is an autoimmune disease which is why you have elevated antibodies. Sometimes it’s temporary, but most of the time it is not. Usually treatment is indicated with an elevated TSH along with low Free T4, as yours is. Some doctors won’t treat until the TSH gets above 10. If your symptoms continue or worsen you should see if the doctor will give a 6 week trial of thyroid meds to see if it helps you feel better.
Is this a thyroid issue?
Not diagnosed - thyroid issue? Feel like hypochondriac
Still undiagnosed thyroid issues!
Can't get diagnosed - thyroid?
