Any insights on my results?

[Cel_76]

Hi,

Only diagnosed a few months back. I was worried as my Dr only tests TSH so paid for a test. I am on Levothyroxine 50mcg or 75mcg on alternating days.

I am actually feeling more like my old self now apart from Anxiety (especially worrying about health) So seeing a problem with my results has sent me into overdrive with Google and now I think it’s connected to cancer and I’ve still got 1/2 stone to lose!

Any reassurance/observations is much appreciated. Do I need to do anything?

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your results confirm show you have autoimmune thyroid disease, also called Hashimoto's. Diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies. This is by far the most common reason for becoming hypothyroid

Your TSH is likely too high. FT4 and FT3 slightly low

Ask GP to increase dose to 75mcg every day. Retest in 6-8 weeks.

Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine

(Many of us need TSH nearer 0.2 than 2.0 to feel well)

See box

Thyroxine replacement in primary hypothyroidism

pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...

You will probably need to slowly increase further

NICE guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

Your B12 is on the low side. You might benefit from supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid. B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

You also need to test vitamin D

vitamindtest.org.uk

[Cel_76 in reply to SlowDragon]

Perfect! Thank you SlowDragon. This is exactly why I had the test to understand the bigger picture and to enable me to make better decisions around my diet and vitamins. I’m useless at the doctors as I am not very assertive, but I will go equipped this time. Thank you again for your wonderful help

[Cel_76 in reply to SlowDragon]

SlowDragon, is it still Hashimoto’s even though I don’t have the antiTPO antibodies? I was told by my Dr that I didn’t have autoimmune thyroid issues as the TPO antibodies weren’t raised. The lab tested this in the early days as my TSH was significantly raised. The anti-Thyroglobulin Abs was never tested. This is my first test that I’ve paid for to get a greater understanding. Thank you!

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Cel_76]

You have high TG antibodies - the "other" Hashi's antibody (nothing to do with high TG or cancer).

[Cel_76 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank you Angel_of_the_North. I wonder why health professionals don’t consistently test for both antibodies! I actually feel more reassured now knowing it is autoimmune related. It helps me understand why my thyroid isn’t working properly

[greygoose in reply to Cel_76]

Because they don't know anything about them. They don't 'do' them in med school.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cel_76]

Unfortunately NHS doesn't test TG antibodies if TPO are negative, but high TG antibodies are in most cases due to Hashimoto's

healthline.com/health/antit...

You may find a gluten free diet helps, it often does if TPO are high.

It's more usual to have high TPO and high TG antibodies or just high TPO antibodies

Often patients struggle to get diagnosed on just high TG antibodies because NHS doesn't test if TPO is low

No one has enough data on wether just high TG antibodies responds to gluten

amymyersmd.com/2017/07/hash...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

You can have Hashimoto's and never have raised antibodies too

heyhashi.org/hashimotos-low...