First blood test results

[Rayrae]

I went to the doctor 3 months ago, with a list of symptoms I thought was the menopause.

He sent me for a blood test and when my TSH came back abnormal he said to get retested in 3 months, which I did last week.

I have now got my blood test results from my doctor. Here’s what it says:-

Free T4 14.2 range 12-22

TSH 4.24 range 0.30-4.20

Thyroid peroxidase antibody 246 range 0-34

He said borderline hypothyroidism. I’m supposed to wait 12 months to get tested again.

Any ideas?

[Aurealis]

What is doctor doing about your list of symptoms? Does GP send all patients away to suffer their symptoms for 12 months before treating them? Doesn’t seem ethical, efficient, or humane. Think my best idea is challenge GP and if not, get a new GP - one who treats their patients!

[Rayrae in reply to Aurealis]

Nothing at the moment, unless my symptoms get worse, in which case I’m to go back sooner

[Aurealis in reply to Rayrae]

The problem is hypothyroidism is insidious, it gradually creeps up on you and impairs our judgement. I think I’d be keeping written records and visiting GP every six weeks to provide an update take care Rayrae x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Go back in 6 weeks and push for coeliac test, vitamin, D, folate, ferritin and B12 plus repeat of TSH, FT4 and FT3

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

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

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels. Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

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...

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)

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

[Rayrae in reply to SlowDragon]

I've been gluten free for 4 days. Can I still get the coeliac blood test now or go back to eating gluten?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Rayrae]

Probably would need to eat gluten for couple weeks- ideally at every meal

But you are more likely gluten intolerant not coeliac

So perhaps don’t bother now

Have you noticed a difference yet?

Some notice immediately, others it’s a slow improvement

[Rayrae in reply to SlowDragon]

I actually felt like my old self for about 10 minutes this morning

[marram]

No, this is not borderline hypothyroidism. This is autoimmune thyroiditis, it is Hashimoto’s Disease, and all known wisdom says it should be treated with thyroxine as soon as possible. As your antibodies are pretty high, you might wish to consider going gluten free, many have had great success in reducing the antibodies to prevent further damage to the thyroid. There is some good information on Thyroid UK website:

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

This can help you to understand a little more and hopefully help you along on your journey to recovery. Please do chase the doctor and particularly point out the high antibodies which reveal what is really happening.