I’m new to posting so here goes, I’ve been diagnosed since the turn of the century, I’m 71 female and apparently I had antibodies when I attended Glasgow Western Endo dept back in 2003. Presently I take 150mcg which the hospital agreed with but in all these years I’ve never felt I was “right”, every time I have bloods done Gp says I’m on too high a dose, but this past year I’ve had loads of trouble with my digestion ie bloating and food intolerances but not all the time which is puzzling. On my last Gp visit I asked why they always said I was over medicated and he informed my TSH is too low 0.1, I informed him yet again that this has been constant since starting 50mcg in July 2002 so did this mean I wasn’t hyperthyroid, he said give it a trial with no thyroxine. To say I was dumbstruck is an understatement, he’s off my Xmas shopping list, trouble is my practice all seem to sing from same hymn sheet, I would like to get rid of this extra 3 stone that I didn’t eat, and to feel I have the getup and go I had back in the last century. Can anyone advise me of a good private Endo here in Scotland.
My last bloods were 21/3/18 FT4 25.6 pmol/L (9-24 U)
TSH 0.1 pmol/L (0.3-6 U)
Colesterol 4.7
CRP 9 mg/L (2-10 U)
ESR 21mm/hour (0-20 U)
17/9/18
FT4 20.6
TSH 0.1
Bone profile
Calcium 2.3 mmol/L (2.2-2.6 U)
Adjusted Calcium 2.32 mmol/L (2.2-2.6 U)
Phosphate Lo 0.74 mmol/L (0.8-1.5 U)
Serum iron test
%Saturation 38.2 %
TIBC 46.3 pmol/L (45-80 U)
Iron 17.7 pmol/L (14-39 U)
ESR 26 mm/hour (0.3-6 U)
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Bluedoo1
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So you 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
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can no longer charge for printing out, rules changed after May 25th 2018
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. Dairy is second most common.
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 (just to rule it out) first, along with vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin
But don't be surprised that GP never mentions gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's gut connection is very poorly understood
Gluten intolerance with autoimmune thyroid disease tends to cause us to gain weight in form of mucin under the skin.
Getting vitamins tested and supplement to optimal is first step
Strictly gluten free diet next
Then retest FULL thyroid including FT3
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised
All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
See what you can get GP to test.
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins
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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
Come back with new post once you have some results and ranges. Members can advise next steps
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