Hi, I am totally confused. Following my first test results from medichecks back in April I have been following a strict gluten-free diet. Some of my symptoms have decreased and I’ve lost a bit of weight too!
I thought I’d do a follow up and found my antibodies are even higher than before!
I know there are some experts on this forum for reading test results and I wondered if anyone could possibly give me some advice.
Some background: I saw the GP 7 years ago who dismissed my symptoms because my blood tests came back within normal range.
Back in April my symptoms were so severe I had a thyroid ultra test done with medichecks and found out I am likely to have Hashimotos. I followed a gluten free diet ever since which has helped with how I feel but clearly not helped my antibodies!
On no medication. Not taking iron supplements.
Oh and I had a cold when I took this test so I guess that’s why my inflammation markers were high maybe?
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I know that people say a gluten-free diet will reduce antibodies, but I've never seen any convincing proof of that. Antibodies fluctuate all the time, so you may have them low on one test, then very high on the next, despite being gluten-free. The fact that gluten-free makes you feel better is enough, I would have thought.
Besides, even if you got rid of every single antibody, you would still have Hashi's, because the antibodies are not the disease. There are Hashi's people that never have high antibodies.
Your cold could have caused the high CRP, and that, in turn, could have caused your high ferritin. But, your folate is much too low. And your B12 could be higher.
At the moment your labs so no sign of hypothyroidism, although your FT4 is very low. Certainly a doctor would not diagnose you with that good TSH. But, you need to keep an eye on this and test regularly.
Actually in my experience it's TPO antibodies that improve when gluten free, which has also happened with your results
TPO has dropped from 23 to 13.8
TG seems to be directly linked to how low in thyroid hormones we are
Your results on that front have got slightly worse
TSH has risen, FT4 dropped
But your vitamin levels are much worse. Your folate was low in previous test
Folate is below range and B12 low
Either take this result to GP and get prescribed folic acid
Or self supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in will help improve both low folate and low B12 and keep other B vitamins balanced
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
Really helpful, thank you. I’m not sure where to start with talking to the GP though. Is there a natural supplement that does what levothroxine does? I am not keen on going on medication for life. Plus I keep reading horror stories that GPS don’t even factor in antibodies and a lot of people get fobbed off with a CFS diagnosis.
If your thyroid is packing up, then at some point you may need replacement thyroid hormones
It's like expecting a type one diabetic to manage without insulin
However diet and supplements can slow, if not stop in a few cases
Gluten free is lowering your TPO antibodies
Getting vitamins optimal is next step
It is possible to be completely well on Levothyroxine. Or Levothyroxine plus T3 for some
Obviously on a Thyroid forum you mainly get either newbies starting out, who then get better and stop visiting, or the small percentage of difficult cases.
There are over 2.3 million people in UK on Levothyroxine.....they are not all on here!
I’m so glad you posted this! I’m similar, tested for hashi’s in May, no medication just told to come back in a year for another test. I had gone gluten free thinking that it would reduce my antibodies and slow down the process of ending up with an under active thyroid and medication. I can’t don’t know if it has helped me feel better, was tempted to try reintroducing it to see what would happen but thought it would make the hashi’s worse so I haven’t. Then I’ve read this! There is so much to learn 🙈
Hey! Sorry you’re in the same boat as me! But it’s also nice for me to know I’m not alone! I have been naughty on occasion and eaten something with gluten and when I do my neck goes puffy and I find my glands get swollen. There have been times it’s made me start choking in my sleep - my husband has to wake me up and make me roll over. It’s horrible. I’ve also become intollerant now. Now gluten sets off my IBS. Such fun. 😂
Oh dear then at least you know to def stay off the gluten! I went off milk at the same time and started taking supplements. I don’t get migraines anymore but I don’t know which part that is down to so I just keep going with it all! Good luck in finding what works for you!
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