Thyroid results, please tell me what I need to do!!!

[Ziggy12]

Hi I posted on here last week as a newbie and was advised to get test results, I’ve managed to get a copy and they are as follows

19/03/18

Se thyroid peroxidase ABC conc (00) 801 iu/ml 0.00-75.00iu/ml Abnormal.

I was then started on 50mg of levothyroxine.

21/05/ TFT

TSH level 2.71 0.10-5.00

Free T4 level 14 8.00-19.00

I’ve not been tested since. Am I ok or do I have to do anything?

Any advice much appreciated x

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ziggy12

Se thyroid peroxidase ABC conc (00) 801 iu/ml 0.00-75.00iu/ml Abnormal.

The raised antibody level confirms autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's which is where antibodies attack the thyroid and gradually destroy it. The antibody attacks cause fluctuations in symptoms and test results.

Hashi's can't be treated, it's the resulting hypothyroidism that's treated.

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. You need to read, learn, understand and help yourself where Hashi's is concerned.

You can help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can 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. It's essential that you get nutrient levels tested as mentioned in my reply to your previous post:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Post results when you have them and suggestions can be made about supplementing where necessary. If your GP wont do all of them, we have recommended labs where you can do a private home test.

**

I’ve not been tested since. Am I ok or do I have to do anything?

Normal protocol is to retest 6 weeks after starting Levo, increase by 25mcg if necessary and retest 6 weeks later, then repeat increasing/retesting every 6 weeks until levels are where they need to be for you to feel well.

The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it needs to be for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges when on Levo if that is where you feel well.

I would arrange a new thyroid function test to see where your levels are now.

When booking thyroid tests, always book the very first appointment of the morning and fast overnight (water allowed) . This gives the highest possible TSH which is needed when looking for a diagnosis, an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction. TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. It can also lower after eating and coffee also affects TSH. Also, take your Levo after the blood draw because if you take it before then your FT4 will reflect this and show higher than what is normally circulating. We usually advise 24 hours between last dose of Levo and blood draw so if you take your Levo in the morning then delay until after the test, or if you take it at night then delay that dose until after the test. These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.

[Ziggy12 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Great thank you

I had folate and B12 done 19/03/18

Folate 6.4. 3.00-12.00

B12 400 200-900

14/6/18 Vit D. 61.7. 50-150

Are these ok? Can I get the selenium from Holland and Barrett? Thanks x

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Ziggy12]

All three are a bit too low. B12 needs to be over 500, folate at least 7.5 and vit D in the high 90s or higher.

[Ziggy12 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank you I’m in the process of trying to get these re done but it’s proving a bit difficult as they’re saying at the Drs that they’re within range. I’m waiting for a call back.