Hashimotos or Vitamin Deficiency, latest blood results, advice needed please.

[Sue394]

I posted 3 months ago and got some very good advice from the community. I am due to see the Endo on Friday concerning the nodules in my thyroid which have grown larger and would like to be armed with as much information as possible before I go.

A brief recap. I had a thorough check up whilst in Turkey as I had felt unwell for the previous 8 months and had been plagued with one illness after the other and extreme fatigue. The results gave me the following.

TSH 2.48 ( 0.35 - 4.94)

ANTI TPO (ANTI-M) 17.48. IU/ml (0 - 5.61)

25-OH VIT D3 26.5 ng/ml ( 50-100) which equates to 66 nmol.

The ultrasound on my nodules gave them concern. They said I had Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and wanted to carry out an FNA which was not practical.

On return to the U.K. I saw my doctor who carried out another blood test the results were as follows. He also arranged Endo consult for my Nodules.

TSH 2.2 mU/l (0.35 x 5.50)

T4 14.4 pmol (9.0 22.70)

Serum B12 - 216 ng/l ( 211 - 911)

As a result of the blood test in Turkey he had already instructed me to supplement my D3 at a level of 1000 IU per day but following my previous post I did this at 2000 IU plus VitK at 100. In addition he prescribed 5 loading doses if B12 injections as he felt given my healthy diet I was not absorbing B12 and I am to have one every 3 months. I was not tested for Intrinsic Factor nor Folate or Ferritin. I am having a further blood test in November before my next injection. However he did arrange another blood test for October for Vit D and the result is that despite our great summer and me travelling quite extensively to hot sunny climates my D3 has gone slightly backwards the result is

59 nmol - classed as slightly deficient, normal range > 75 nmol.

I have now increased my supplement to 3000 IU. I use BetterYou oral spray

I am posting my Medicheck results which are very different to previous tests with regard to antibodies so I don’t know whether it’s Hashimotos or not. It appears not.

TSH 3.79 min (0.27 - 4.20)

Free Throxine 15.800 pmol (12 - 22)

Free T3 5.98 (3.10- 6.80)

Thyroglobulin Antibody 32.200 (0.00 - 115)

Thyroid Peroxide Antibodies 26.9 - (0.00 - 34.00)

Active B12 188 pmol (25.10 -165)

Folate Setum 7 ug/l (2.91- 50)

CRP - 0.96 mg/l (0.00-50)

Ferritin 313 ug/l (13 - 159)

Medichecks have recommended an iron deficiency check in 3 months which will look at other markets to help work out whether there may be an iron overload.

My TSH is higher but I think my T4 & T3 don’t seem too bad.

My B12 is high which is to be expected, this test was 6 weeks after loading doses. My Folate is low and my Ferritin is very high. I do not take any iron or any other supplements other than D3, K 2 and some Magnesium. The Magnesium tends to be less regular, I have done a great deal of flying and as I use the powdered variety I have been reluctant to pack this. Can anyone recommend a good tablet for when I travel.

I do not take any meds for Thyroid, the only medication I take is 1x5mg for hypertension. I will also continue with my B12 injections.

The good news is since my B12 injections (I will also post on the PA site) I have felt much better although still very cold hands and feet plus occasional pains in hands which initially disappeared after the B12 injections. Low body temperature, erratic sleep pattern and increasing weight.

With my nodules I have developed a cough and sometimes feel as if food is stuck in my throat so will insist on an FNA as the last one was 5/6 years ago.

Any other thoughts or advice from this very well informed community would be appreciated.

[greygoose]

Antibodies fluctuate, so don't be surprised if sometimes they are lower. But if you've had one high result, then you have Hashi's. And it doesn't go away. Sorry.

[Sue394 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you grey goose my only concern was the upper limit for the Turkish test seemed very low, they were both measured IU/ml. Have you any thought on the Folate results. All tests were take at 8am and fasting.

[greygoose in reply to Sue394]

Ranges depend on the machine they use for the blood analysis, that's why they vary from lab to lab, because they all have different machines. I have seen low antibody ranges like that before.

Your folate is too low. Were you taking a B complex whilst having the loading doses of B12? You should, really. The Bs all work together and need to be kept balanced. Try taking a B complex with at least 400 mcg methylfolate and that will bring your folate up.

[Sue394 in reply to greygoose]

That’s good to know.

No I haven’t taken B complex but did wonder if I should. I am due my next injection on the 14 November but my doctor wants an FBC blood test including B12 just beforehand. I won’t start the supplements until after the blood test I don’t want them stopped as I have seen improvement in my symptoms since having them. Many thanks for your help.

[greygoose in reply to Sue394]

You're welcome.