What should be my next step?

[feelingpooped]

Hi all,

In my last post SlowDragon recommended that I get all my tests done first & then create a new post for further steps.

I've now had the full 6 Thyroid, Vits & CRP & Ferritin tests done & attached are the results.

Looking at the optimal levels published by both "HypothyroidMom" Blog & Books & Resources published by Mary J Shomon, I can see that my TP & TG antibodies are high, rT3 high and FT3 low (likely that now enought FT4 converting to FT3). Folate is very low & Ferritin & Vit D can be better. My Ferritin, B12 & Vit D got better from a couple of months ago, since I started taking supplements for them.

I also, had my Cortisol4 tests done and my waking cortisol levels are very low.

The results are:

CORTISOL (SALIVA) WAKING *5.010 nmol/L 6.00 - 21.00

CORTISOL (SALIVA) 12:00 4.430 nmol/L 1.50 - 7.60

CORTISOL (SALIVA) 16:00 3.130 nmol/L 0.00 - 5.49

CORTISOL (SALIVA) BEFORE BED 1.950 nmol/L 0.00 - 1.99

According to the medicheck doctor, " Your waking salivary cortisol is decreased and is at a level that raises concerns about an underlying disease affecting your cortisol levels, such as Addison's disease."

So could you please advise on the next steps?

[amasufindme]

Your cortisol profile is pretty ok ... liquorice tea may help you in the morning to raise cortisol during CAR (cortisol awakening response), getting out outside first thing for full spectrum light, good to supplement with a quality methyl folate to mid range e.g. Seeking Health. Full iron profile would help - stored iron in the form of ferritin isn't the whole picture - my functional nutritionist tells me when the body is under stress it protects by storing the iron. Your antibodies are high aka body is under stress ... so you may already know that you need to consider gluten /diary /soy free etc. It is wise to consider the idea you have intestinal permeability aka leaky gut ergo you may have histamine overload.

[feelingpooped in reply to amasufindme]

Thank you for your response. My allergies have gone through the roof for the past couple of yrs and no anti-histamines helped... It is then that I started to look into deeper causes.. GP has got no clue...

I'm already on keto diet because I had put on a lot of weight in the past few months and found keto the only way to lose it... I've been bio hacking my body for the past month..

SO no sugar, no processed food, max 20g carbs per day from veges only (rarely ever any fruit)... But it is extremely tough. I've lost a lot of weight & i'm only 3 kgs away from my ideal weight. My energy levels are better but like you said body is under stress and I've to preferably find natural, healthier ways to resolve this.

I'd prefer not to go on any medication. I'll look into methyl folate. Thanks for the recommendation.

[amasufindme in reply to feelingpooped]

No worries tis great ethos to get your nourishment via quality food instead gimmicky supplements if you can. But if you ain't doing a quality 200mcg selenium (with breaks) then its good for managing the auto - antibodies. I was in ketosis for a time - Ancient & Brave MCT oil helped the hunger cravings and keep me in ketosis - good to monitor your ketone levels with Ketostix ideally need to be 0.5/1.0. Also good to research histamine foods/triggers/DAO inhibitors and have a "no go" list on the fridge door! Quercetin supplement may help ...

Best wishes xx

[feelingpooped in reply to amasufindme]

Everyday I learn something new. Had never heard of Quercetin before. Have you suffered the same in the past?

[amasufindme in reply to feelingpooped]

Histamine overload awareness and how to manage - is something I am really studying right now. This website may be useful to you healinghistamine.com/blog/

[feelingpooped in reply to amasufindme]

thank you.. going to have a read

[SlowDragon Administrator]

It wasn't clear from your first post, if you are actually on Levothyroxine or trying to get diagnosed

Clearly these high TPO antibodies levels confirm that you have Hashimoto's

So first step is probably to try strictly gluten free diet for 3-6 months. See if helps symptoms. Test antibodies after 6 months too if possible

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...

Strictly soya free helps many too (including soya lecithin......once you read labels it's astonishing how often soya crops up)

Only make one change at a time or add one supplement at a time or you can't assess if it makes any difference

Your folate is low, so taking a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial

(You may be able to drop separate B12 supplement as B complex has B12 in too)

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

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

[feelingpooped in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon for your recommendations. Yes, I've not been diagnosed & not on any medications yet (just supplements through my own research). I want to be able to control my symptoms through my diet & supplements like you suggested and do my blood tests again in 3-6 months time and only go down the medication route, as a last resort solution.

What is the best form of folate to take?

Is it possible to reverse these symptoms via diet change or am I being dillusional & too optimistic?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to feelingpooped]

Well it's worth a try.

Popular vitamin B complex are either Igennus Super B or Jarrow B-right

[feelingpooped in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks. I was just looking at the Igennus Super B

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to feelingpooped]

I have tried many, that's my favourite. Nice small pills and don't turn your pee bright yellow

I just take one per day now. Recommended dose is two per day

[brirb in reply to SlowDragon]

hi Slowdragon

my result for Anti TPO SERUM 12.55 IU/mL (0.0 - 34.00)

does it indicate autoimmune or has Hashimoto's or should it be higher then range?

thank you for your reply.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to brirb]

That's negative for Hashimoto's

But also need TG antibodies tested

healthline.com/health/antit...

NHS won't test TG antibodies if TPO are negative

You will need to test privately.....like this post

[brirb in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you Slow dragon !