I requested my first thyroid test in Nov 2014. Back then I didn’t know anything about thyroid and requested the test only because I’d been feeling bad for quite a long time and my friend suggested I should have my thyroid tested. The doctor said that the results were outside the range but this was due to seasonal tiredness and I didn’t need any treatment. I trusted the doctor and started looking for other reasons of my fatigue.
I was diagnosed with hypo only in July 2017 when I went to a private lab and the results were: TSH 13.41 [0.27-4.20] and ATPO >1300.
Only now I wondered what my results were back in 2014. I requested a printout which says TSH 3.9 [0.4-5.5] and ATPO >1300.
Could the doctor have given me any treatment or advice in 2014 seeing that ATPO were extremely high? I feel like he knew that I was going to get hypothyroidism but didn’t do anything.
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Tginger
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The doctor said that the results were outside the range but this was due to seasonal tiredness and I didn’t need any treatment.
How inventive! First time I've heard that one!
Only now I wondered what my results were back in 2014. I requested a printout which says TSH 3.9 [0.4-5.5] and ATPO >1300.
Could the doctor have given me any treatment or advice in 2014 seeing that ATPO were extremely high?
I feel like he knew that I was going to get hypothyroidism but didn’t do anything.
Because your TSH was within range, then most doctors wouldn't start Levo, but it could have been possible (with an enlightened doctor) due to the raised antibodies.
Most doctors dismiss antibodies as being of no importance and know little or nothing about Hashi's and how it affects the patient, test results and symptoms. If he had known anything about Hashi's he could have suggested a strict gluten free diet to help reduce the antibodies.
But it's water under the bridge now. Presumably you are prescribed Levo? What dose and what are your latest thyroid test results? How do you feel, are you symptomatic?
What you need to do now is concentrate on learning all about Hashi's so you can help yourself.
As mentioned, a strict gluten free diet can help reduce the antibodies, as can supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily and keeping TSH suppressed.
Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies, so it's very important to get the following tested
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
Come back with results, including reference ranges, and members can comment and make suggestions where appropriate.
It is just frustrating that you cannot rely on doctors and have to fight for your health with people who are supposed to be helping you rather than making you feel worse.
Yes, I’m on 100 mcg Levo at the moment but the dose increase gives me relief only for one month and after that I start feeling rubbish again. I’ve read that this may be related to adrenal problems, which my gp refused to consider.
I thought any supplements need to be taken under doctor’s supervision to make sure the dose is correct. Is it safe to self-medicate with selenium?
I went for the TSH test this morning, so don’t know the latest result yet. In June I had the following results:
TSH: 7.5 [0.27-4.2] – thus increased my dose to 100mcg
Vitamin D - Aiming to improve to around 100nmol. Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function. Suggest you supplement 1000-3000iu for 2-3 months and retest. It's trial and error what dose each person needs. You may need more or less
Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.
B12. Most Hashimoto's patients find they need B12 high in range. Supplementing either just sublingual B12 or adding a good quality daily vitamin B complex. One with folate in, not folic acid
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
Hi! Thank you for you reply. Yes, I thought that Vit D, B12 [and Ferritin] were too low. I asked the doctor if I needed to work towards the mid ranges but they said ‘no, as long as it is within the range, you’re fine’, so didn’t recommend any diet or supplements.
When I start taking supplements, do I need to tell the doctor?
In the UK doctors have been directed not to prescribe levothyroxine until the TSH reaches 10 - (we could be quite symptomatic by then).
In other countries we're diagnosed when TSH is 3+ with symptoms. When your tests are due are you aware that we have to have the earliest appointment (fasting - you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take dose afterwards.
This procedure allows the TSH to be at its highest as that's all doctors seem to take notice of.
Yes, I always try to book an appointment the earliest in the morning. Fasting -- yes as well, even though they say that no preparation is needed for the thyroid test.
I've also read that for women the day of their menstrual cycle may also affect the results.
"In the UK doctors have been directed not to prescribe levothyroxine until the TSH reaches 10 - (we could be quite symptomatic by then)."
HA!!!! I was quite symptomatic when TSH was just a bit over range at under 6. No doubt many others here find the same. As long as T4 is within range (even if too near the bottom) it's called "Subclinical" for some strange reason, as if that will make the symptoms go away! So annoying.
Why, when patient is symptomatic -as that's all it took before the introduction of levo and the blood tests - do doctors recognise none at all. Before the tests doctors diagnosed and gave us a trial of NDT. One of our doctors who wrote to the Scottish Parliament in the case of Lorraine Cleaver stated on his website (now removed as he died) that patients were in a parlous situation due to them remaining undiagnosed who were clearly hypo.
Why cannot they do a Full Blood Test instead of TSH and T4. These two are not informative enough when symptoms are completely unknown/ignored nowadays.
Not one doctor or Specialist or A&E tested for thyroid hormones but I had plenty of other 'diagnoses' and an unnecessary op - none correct until I diagnosed myself- TSH 100.
Totally agree. And it is the same situation with other tests, unfortunately. They say as long as you're within the range you're fine regardless your symptoms. Like with my Vit D results, the result was 54 [50-150] and the doctor was adamant that this was a sufficient level and I didn't need any supplements.
And it’ll make interesting reading - but I feel the emphasis they make on using only Natural Dessicated Thyroid is over the top. It is perfectly possible to become well on levothyroxine. So read with interest but check back here for clarification on anything that you’d like to know more about.
All true, but for me with reduced liver function, I need the T3 as I wasn't converting the t4 very well. Have hashimotos as well as a sore throats and lymph glands
hope it helps - am in the middle of hypothyroid and hashimotos battle along with swollen lymph glands in throat and a swollen, sore thyroid gland. Lower car, moderate fat keto diet. quit the wheat, dairy and other things suggested. Good luck to you!
Thanks! I've cut diary considerably. I used to eat dairy every day, especially for breakfast. Now if I want any dairy, I only eat it in the second half of the day and not every day. However, I'm still not sure if it is the right thing to avoid dairy products. I read many recommendations saying that milk products are essential for hypo-people along with meat and eggs.
Some people can't digest lactose (milk sugar) very well, but if you can I don't think it's a good idea to cut it out completely. Or you could try yoghurt and cheese instead, as the lactose will presumably be fermented out. At least that's my understanding of the matter - haven't double checked though, maybe someone can confirm?
might take a look at the raypeatforum.com - he has a phd in biology and has researched many subjects like this. And again, the 'stop the thyroid madness' web site.
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