Blood results

[Degs58]

Hi everyone I’ve had blood results back and it shows abnormal result for thyroid antibodies 49 iu/mL but my TSH has come down to 6.84 ..vitamin D was a bit low T4 showing as 9.8.

Any advice would be welcome

Thanks Derek

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Degs58

Before members can comment specifically, we always need reference ranges for results (they vary from lab to lab).

Not sure how you feel or what advice you need, but your TSH is too high and FT4 likely to be very low. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it needs to be for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges when on Levo if that is where you feel well. You need an increase in your dose of Levo, retest 6 weeks later, another increase, and repeat levery 6 weeks until your symptoms abate and you feel well.

If the antibodies tested are Thyroid Peroxidase and your result is over range, that confirms autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's which is where the immune system attacks the thyroid and gradually destroys it.

You can possibly help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies. You say your Vit D is low - how low and have you been given a supplement by your GP? If not, post your result and I can let you know how much D3 you should be taking, along with it's important cofactors.

As Vit D is low, you shold also get the following tested if not already done:

B12

Folate

Ferritin

All nutrient levels need to be optimal for us Hypos, so post results (with ranges) for comment.

[Nanaedake]

Could you please post the lab range along with the blood test result? Lab ranges vary and we need them to interpret results accurately. Could you include result for vit D?

[greygoose]

Taking selenium and adopting a gluten-free diet might help you in many ways. But, there's no proof that it will reduce antibodies, because antibodies fluctuate all the time. Nor is there any proof that reducing antibodies will benefit you in anyway, because even if you got rid of them completely (hardly likely to happen) you would still have Hashi's. The antibodies are not the disease, they are the result of the disease.

I'm not trying to discourage you from trying these things, but don't get off on the wrong foot, believing that you are 'curing' your Hashi's, because you are not. You will only be disappointed.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So the results are

TSH 6.84

FT4 9.8 can you tell us the range - this looks extremely low

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking, how long had you been on this dose?

You need immediate 25mcg dose increase in Levothyroxine and bloods retested in 6-8 weeks

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase dose slowly in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

Your high antibodies confirm you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease

B12 is 375 (range 150-750)

vitamin D is 45.3 (range > 50)

ferritin 39.3 range (22-322)

thyroid peroxidase Ab count 49 range 0.10 -9.00

Your vitamin D needs improving to around 100nmol or at least 80nmol

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function.

Suggest you supplement around 2000iu daily for 2-3 months and retest.

It's trial and error what dose each person needs.

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Retesting twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk

Local CCG guidelines

clinox.info/clinical-suppor...

Government recommends everyone supplement October to April

gov.uk/government/news/phe-...




Also read up on importance of magnesium and vitamin K2 Mk7 supplements when taking vitamin D

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

healthy-holistic-living.com...

articles.mercola.com/sites/...


betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

Do NOT supplement any vitamin K if you take any blood thinning medication

drsinatra.com/vitamin-k2-su...

Vitamin C and bones

healthimpactnews.com/2018/d...

Ferritin is on the low side. Ask GP to do full iron panel to test for Anaemia, which is common problem when hypothyroid

Eating liver or liver pate once a week should help improve. Other iron rich foods plus vitamin C can improve iron absorption

Ask GP to test folate and to do coeliac blood test

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...

[Degs58 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi

Thanks for the advice it’s very much appreciated.

TSH Range given as 0.35-5.50 mu/L

T4 range 7.86-14.41 pmol/L

I’m currently on 75 micro grams levothyroxine and have been for three weeks now, going for another blood test in three weeks.

As you probably know docs seem pretty clueless when it comes to thyroid problems, the one I seen wanted me to come back in six to twelve months 🙄, I will ask for those other tests you suggested thanks, although going gluten free sounds ominous for me, enjoy a beer lol .

Thanks again Derek

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Degs58]

You can get gluten free beer......even in pubs, many stock gluten free Peroni

But yes proper beer is harder to find in pubs.....but you can always ask your local to stock your favourite

Large Tescos stock gluten free Old Speckled Hen, IPA, St Peters etc

Lots online

gluten-freeshop.co.uk

beers.co.uk/product/gluten-...

independent.co.uk/extras/in...