New Results and Very Confused

[Leenie0811]

I have recently posted on here some older results concerning my thyroid, below is the link but since this I have had another test done privately. My GP wouldnt do the full test they only did certain hormones:

TSH - 3.94 - Range is 0.27 to 4.20

Free Thyroxine - 17.80 - Range is 12.00 to 22.00

Free T3 - 5.21- Range is 3.10 to 6.80

Thyroglobulin Antibody - 120.00 - Range is 0.00 - 115.00

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies - 159 - Range is 0.00 to 34.00

I am really worried about that last one as the notes say this can be linked to Hashimoto's Disease or Graves Disease, could anyone offer some advice of the next steps to take?

if anyone wants to see the other results they are here:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So this confirms you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease (GP will call it autoimmune thyroid disease not Hashimoto's)

Endometriosis and Hashimoto's may be linked

Make an appointment with GP and give her copy of these test results

Ask for coeliac blood test and for vitamin D, folate and B12 to be tested

Low vitamin levels are extremely common with Hashimoto's

Are you still on iron supplements? If not been retested recently then ferritin needs retesting too

If coeliac test is positive then you will need to stay on gluten rich diet until endoscopy (max 6 week wait)

If coeliac test is negative then you can try strictly gluten free diet immediately.

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Retesting antibodies after 6 months gluten free ideally

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Endometriosis and Hashimoto's

preventmiscarriage.com/endo...

[Leenie0811 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the info I didn't know it was linked to Endometriosis, I had Laparoscopic surgery in July 2017 to remove Endo cells and Adhesion's. I am going to call my doctors and request a telephone appointment to discuss these results and then ask for the bloods you have listed.

I have recently had my iron tested, think it was last week when I went in (still got the bruise!) and the results from that was:

Serum Ferritin - 109 - Range is 17 to 291

How do they treat Hashimoto's disease? will I need medication?

I've become really bothered with my weight since my surgery I used to be between 8 and 9 stone but now I'm a little over 10... is there anything I can do to help weight loss or will it always be a struggle?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Leenie0811]

Well if TSH was higher and FT4 and/or FT3 lower GP would start you on Levothyroxine

But at the moment your Thyroid results are within range and it's called sub-clinical

Still very likely to have low vitamin levels

Often gluten is a hidden problem

Read up as much as possible about Hashimoto's. It's very poorly understood by average GP

They are unlikely to know Thyroid and gut are linked

If caught early, which this could be, by improving vitamin levels and finding the relevant food intolerances can reduce antibodies and improve symptoms enough to make recovery

Dairy is common intolerance

If gluten is a hidden problem then strictly gluten free diet can help with weight

Best to rule out if coeliac with blood test first

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

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

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

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

[Leenie0811 in reply to SlowDragon]

Okay I have started to make some notes from previous medical issues as I was suspected to have crohns but then under a sigmoidoscopy they said my lower colon was clear of inflammation and put it down to IBS.

Ive marked the symptoms I have and will be calling the doctors first thing tomorrow, they didnt have an appointment when I called this afternoon but apparently they can fit me in if I call first thing, I dont understand this new system they have.

It seems to me that the more information you give me the more I can see how each individual problem I have presented to them could easily be linked to this Hashimoto’s Disease. I’m sure when I was investigated they did a Coeliac test but I am going to request it again just to make sure.

Would I be eligible to go request to see some kind of thyroid specialist? I would imagine something like this exists does it? Just thinking ahead in case the docs dont want to spend their time doing the tests, I had a lot of problems getting the endometriosis diagnosis. It ended in me travelling over 3 hours to a specialist I had researched. Cumbria isn’t the best for providing the answers or getting specialist care.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Leenie0811]

Thyroid UK has list of recommended thyroid specialists

Roughly where in UK are you?

But first step is to get vitamin levels tested by GP or privately

Come back with results and ranges on new post and members can advise what supplements needed

Coeliac test (just to rule it out)

Then try strictly gluten free diet

Get full thyroid and vitamin testing again 2-3 months after improving vitamins (if needed)

and see how strictly gluten free diet helps

Many who have IBS diagnosed find it improves on gluten free diet

Read the home website of Thyroid UK

Plus The Thyroid Pharmacist is great website

Reading posts on here daily too ..., you’ll soon learn a lot

[Leenie0811 in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m in Cumbria which is approximately 3 hours from Manchester - very north of the country that borders Scotland!

Thanks again for the info I’m going to look at reducing gluten completely, I’ll just make my meals from scratch so I know exactly what’s going into them - terrible for grabbing things on the go haha