Blood test results

[happykath]

Hi 👋 Following on from my post last week about my gp referring me for a brain mri scan as he thought my results were indicative of a pituitary tumour, I had some blood tests done through medichecks which I have attached below. Please could anyone offer me any advice or reassurance on the blood results, the report on the blood tests states that the thyroid markers are all normal apart from antibodies, but I would really appreciate any help you can offer. Thank you 😊

[Peanut31]

Hi

The experts will be along shortly to help, but from your results it shows you have an autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s) I have this too.

Here is some information on it

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

Going gluten free may help reduce your antibodies.

Best Wishes

Peanut31

[happykath in reply to Peanut31]

Yes, I thought it pointed towards Hashis. Thank you so much for the link, I’m going to read it shortly 😊 xx

[Hidden]

I didn't see your post from last week but just had a look. Why did the GP think you may have a pituitary tumour? Had he done a pituitary profile? If there is a pituitary problem then your TSH is not relevant as it's the pituitary hormone but T3 &T4 need to be tested. I've had a pituitary tumour which was a n ACTH secreting tumour causing Cushing's disease. It's worth getting an eye test & have visual fields checked as this can pick up any tumour that may be impacting on the optic nerves.

[happykath in reply to Hidden]

He thought I had a pituitary tumour as my TSH and T4 were low, I tried to explain that I took T3 and therefore my TSH would be suppressed but he wouldn’t listen. I’ve been so upset thinking I had a pituitary tumour. I had laser eye surgery last year so need an eye test anyway, so will book one asap. Thank you so much 😊 xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your results show you are under medicated

TSH is nearly always suppressed on any dose of T3, so ignore that.....But it will obviously freak your GP out completely

Your FT4 is very low. As discussed in previous post your private endo reduced your Levo dose by far too much

Suggest you increase Levo slowly. First increase by 25mcg and retest again via Medichecks in 6-8 weeks

Many of us find we need good levels of FT4 and FT3

(Typically Levo is only reduced by 25mcg when 10mcg of T3 is added)

You may also need to either increase T3 in future, or more Levo. But dose has to be increased slowly, not both Levo and T3. Only ever increase one or the other..

Did you know you had Hashimoto's?

Are you on strictly gluten free diet? If not ask GP for coeliac blood test before trying it for 3-6 months

Ferritin is slightly too low. Eating iron rich foods, along with vitamin C or orange juice should help improve

Gluten and Hashimoto's

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...

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If also on T3, make sure to take last dose exactly 12 hours prior to test

Did you do this for this test?

[happykath in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for your reply, it is so helpful. I didn’t know I had hashimotos at all. My TSH when I was diagnosed about eight years ago was 55 so I was just stuck on 100mcg of Levo by my gp and have struggled on and off ever since. In the end I begged to see an Endo who put me on T3 but reduced the levo. What exactly does hashi’s mean in terms of my thyroid going forward?

I’m still not even sure why my gp thinks I have a pituitary problem either!! 🤷‍♀️

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to happykath]

Your GP doesn't understand that taking T3 lowers TSH often to zero......even if we are not on enough replacement thyroid hormones

In part that's why NHS doesn't like T3

It's essential to test FT4 and FT3 every time if taking any amount of T3

Read the links I posted all about Hashimoto's

Ask GP for coeliac blood test first, before trying strictly gluten free diet