Blood test results

[Ninapark]

July had TFT done the result was Serum free T4 level 12.6 and Serum TSH 4.7

Repeated in October Thyroid peroxidase ABS 336.0 ku/L

Serum TSH 3.0 mu/L

What do these mean, have been told to have repeat test for n 12 months

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ninapark

Can we please have the reference ranges for your tests so that we can interpret them properly, eg

FT4: 15 (12-22)

Are you diagnosed hypothyroid and on Levo?

[Ninapark in reply to SeasideSusie]

Not diagnosed or on Levo, Serum T4 12.6(12.00-22), TSH 4.7 (0.3-4.2)

October rest result Thyroid Peroxidase ABS 336ku/L (0.0-34.0) Serum TSH 3.0 (0.3-4.2)

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Ninapark]

You have Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis and Hypothyroidism.

Do you have any symptoms of Underactive Thyroid? (Look up the list of symtons on Thyroid UK website ) If so - I wouldn't wait another 12 months.

Ask GP to refer you to an Endocrinologist.

Ask for an Ultrasound scan of your Thyroid.

Ask about having tests to check your Adrenal function before starting on Levothyroxine.

Ask GP to test the following nutrients levels :

Vitamin D

B12

Folate

and Ferritin

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ninapark]

So your FT4 is right at bottom of range, when it should be in top half

TSH is over range, should be under 2, or 3 absolutely maximum

Would guess you have quite a few symptoms already

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common

your TPO antibodies are very high, so this is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

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

All thyroid blood 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, not to be mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

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.

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_...

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, at same time as vitamins

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...