Thyroid antibodies

[sugarbee1981]

Hi all. I have been having symptoms of hypothyroidism for years. I had been put on 25mg of thyroxine a few years back by one GP and after the first month another GP refused to renew the prescription saying my levels were not low enough. Since then I keep being told I am borderline but after a recent blood test the gp wrote out to me to say I tested positive for thyroid antibodies and need to be retested next year. Problem being my mental health is so bad and I am feeling physically bad also. I also have B12 deficiency which I get injections for. My question is what do these antibodies signify and where should I go from here. I feel I am not being taken seriously they just throw antidepressants at me. On top of it I have been diagnosed as having PMDD so my hormones are up the left but no one is looking into it. I am so frustrated.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies. You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can no longer charge for printing out, rules changed after May 25th 2018

Sounds like you already need Levothyroxine.

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten.

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

As you are already having B12 injections, this suggests gut function is compromised by having high antibodies

Likely the other vitamins are low too. See GP and ask for coeliac blood test and for vitamin D, folate and ferritin to to be tested

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware and we don't mention it either)

So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

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

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

List of hypothyroid symptoms - print off and tick all that apply and give to GP

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

Getting vitamins tested and optimal is often first step

[sugarbee1981 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. I will try to get test results. I also am on 5mg of folic acid every day and iron tabs. I feel like everything is blamed on my weight and I am not taken seriously at all when I discuss my fatigue.

Thanks again for the reply.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sugarbee1981]

Being overweight is linked to hypothyroidism

But vitamin D is very very often extremely low

Essential to get this tested, push GP

Request coeliac blood test too

So you have low ferritin (iron) , folate and B12 all are likely low BECAUSE you are hypothyroid and/or because of gluten intolerance

Ruling out coeliac is next step and getting vitamin D tested

If coeliac test is positive you have to remain on gluten rich diet until endoscopy

If negative you can change to strictly gluten free diet immediately. Trying it for 3-6 months