Antibody thyroid results.. what next?..

[Maxin33]

Hi all so recently had some thyroid testing done, and then went and got some antibody testing as advised on here...

Im not sure of next steps or if my doctor was to start treating me, what should i ask for that will be the most effective drug. My results are ...

Serum TSH Level 4.0 Miu/L (0.2 - 4.0)

Serum Free T4 15.8 pmol/L (10.0 - 20.0)

Serum B12 Level 287 ng/L (211.0 - 911.0)

Serum Folate Level 5.2 ug/L (5.4 - 24.0)

Thyroid Peroxidase AB 151 IU/ml (0 - 34)

[greygoose]

There is no special treatment for Hashi's. All your doctor will do is replace the hormones that your thyroid can no-longer make itself.

What you can do yourself is try a 100% gluten-free diet. Hashi's people are often gluten-intolerant, so removing the gluten makes them feel better. And, might possibly decrease antibodies, but that has never been proved to my satisfaction, I just mention that in passing. You could also try taking selenium, which could also help - although selenium doesn't suit everyone.

Have you been diagnosed hypo, yet, and put on thyroid hormone replacement?

[Maxin33 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your reply.. im having to get another TSH test done before they diagnose hypo, so im having that done tomorrow... x

[greygoose in reply to Maxin33]

OK, that's good.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Maxin33

Serum B12 Level 287 ng/L (211.0 - 911.0)

Serum Folate Level 5.2 ug/L (5.4 - 24.0)

These are very low. Do you have any signs of B12 deficiency - check here b12deficiency.info/signs-an... If you do then list then and show your GP, you would then need testing for B12 deficiency/pernicious anaemia and may need B12 injections.

I have read (but not researched so don't have links) that BCSH, UKNEQAS and NICE guidelines recommend:

"In the presence of discordance between test results and strong clinical features of deficiency, treatment should not be delayed to avoid neurological impairment."

And an extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

You are folate deficient as your level is below range. Speak to your GP and you should be prescribed folic acid. But don't start taking it until further testing of your B12 for deficiency/PA has been carried out and injections/supplementation has been started if necessary.

It would be a good idea to test Vit D and ferritin as well.

[Maxin33 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you i started to get B12 injections privately because my doctor wouldnt do anything further saying they wasnt low enough, yes i will see if i can get the Vit D and ferritin test aswell x

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Maxin33]

Maxin

Doctors are supposed to go by symptoms, I believe, where B12 is concerned. Many patients with B12 in the 300s have been started on injections.

So you need to get the folate sorted now. Is your Gp going to prescribe folic acid?

[Maxin33 in reply to SeasideSusie]

No they gave me 2 weeks worth and told me thats all im able to have, maybe i should just go private n start again n get the right stuff, as i doubt even if i have hypo they will probably not treat me either

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Maxin33]

Maxin33

they gave me 2 weeks worth and told me thats all im able to have

That's absurd. What is our health service coming to? How on earth does your GP know whether 2 weeks' worth of folic acid will bring you back into range. As you're having B12 injections, then you should take a good B Complex to balance all the B Vitamins. If you choose one with a decent amount of methylfolate you should be able to raise your folate level. I raised mine from very bottom of range to very top in 2.5 months with 1 x Thorne Basic B daily.

Personally, I wouldn't bother to go private. It's expensive and there's no saying you'd get any better treatment.

See what happens when you get your new results and post them on here for comment.

In the meantime, to address the Hashi's then adopting a gluten free diet, as greygoose has suggested, can help, also supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies.

Hashi's information:

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

[Hashi-hacker in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi, Agree with all of the above, and definitely need to supplement a variety of B vitamins. Personally I take the Thorne B Stress complex (not the basic) as I have MTHFR mutations (sounds horrific I know) but that basically means that I have to take methylated B vits because they are more bio-available. If I take a different form, the vits just swim around doing nothing useful.

Here's a good article on Hashi's and the anti-bodies.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hashi-hacker]

Lyndsay

They are the same form of ingredients in Stress B and Basic B, just different amounts.

[Hashi-hacker in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks SeasideSusie, I didn't realise the basic B was also methylated. It was my dietician that pointed me to the Stress B as the most appropriate format, blend and amounts for my personal situation.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hashi-hacker]

Lyndsay

Yes, you may need different amounts of the individual vitamins, they do vary quite a bit.

[Courtlea]

It looks like you might have subclinical hypothyroidism

You could look up natural treatments for Hashimoto's

Kelp would be good for you

Kelp is seaweed

Good luck

[Maxin33]

Thanks guys, ive since had more bloods done as my doctor wanted them

My TSH is now at 1.6 (previousl 4.0) (ref 0.2-4.0)

And my antibodies have now gone to 352 (in a week is that normal?) (previously 152) (ref range 0-34)

The problem i have right now is i literally can not function, about to close my business down n just constantly suicidal, mainly due to the constant memory problems and brain fog. How do people even cope with these symptoms.. like nothing ever seems real, total loss of reality 90% of the time, no energy at all, weight gain of 2st & no appetite for literally months, & constipation ... like surely just cuz my TSH has lowered, this doesnt mean i have to just live like this forever. I know for sure i wont ride it out, but am certainly trying my best to, just dunno how long i can hold out for .

I was looking on stop the thyroid madness, and wondered if anyone has tried thyrogold? Or any other kind of supplements/medication to help?.. i was taking TSH intensive (bio care) which may have affected my blood test results .