Question regarding thyroid results please

[Angel1x]

Hi can someone help with my results please do I have hashimotos I have mitral valve prolapse and high tpo on the results but within normal reference range for TSH I feel fatigued and my heartrate is high irregular and palpitations a lot of anxiety panic attacks etc

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Angel1x

Your antibody results are negative for Hashimoto's. However, certainly your TG antibodies are fairly high in range, andyour TPO antibodies are middling. Another test may find them over range, as antibodies do fluctuate. Also, it's possible to have Hashi's without having raised antibodies. What you could do is try a strict gluten free diet for a few months to see if that helps (it does help some members who have Hashi's), and also supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can help reduce the antibodies.

Your TSH, FT4 and FT3 are euthyroid (normal), one would expect to see TSH around 2 or less, and FT4/FT3 around mid-range or maybe higher, in a normal healthy person.

Your mitral valve prolapse could be causing some of your symptoms. Listed known symptoms are

Rapid heartbeat/palpitations

Panic/anxiety

Shortness of breath

Dizziness

Fainting

Tingling of hands/feet

Tiredness

What is happening about your mitral valve prolapse? I too have MVP but mine is basically being ignored and I'm just down for a check at the Valve Clinic in 2 years' time. I sometimes get some of these symptoms. I know they're not thyroid related as I know where my levels need to be for me to be optimally medicated thyroid-wise.

I'm not saying your symptoms are due to your MVP, they could very well be due to Hashi's. Because of your fairly high antibody levels, it might be worth retesting at some time to see if they've changed much.

[Angel1x in reply to SeasideSusie]

I have scans every two years I'm not medicated but the symptoms are so disabling I'm in constant state of fear is there a scan I should ask for the thyroid check please thankyou for your response

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Angel1x]

I was referred to Cardiology many months ago but can't get to see anyone, just had the ultrasound which confirmed the MVP and mild heart failure. I went to my GP a couple of months ago feeling very unwell with obvious symptoms of my MVP (after diagnosis), I was told "I will write to Cardiology and let them know you're having symptoms". I've heard nothing. If your symptoms are like mine were when I had this particular episode, I sympathise, I felt extremely ill and it's frustrating and worrying knowing that nothing is being done.

As for scans for your thyroid, I don't have Hashi's and have never had a scan, so can't really comment on that, but you could ask your GP if he could arrange one, or maybe that needs to be done through an endocrinologist, I don't know.

[MaisieGray]

Each of your antibody results are within range, so are not indicating you have Hashimoto's. When we describe a result as high, we mean it to be above range, and therefore 20 within a range of 0 - 34 is not high. It does however, look as if you are undermedicated as your TSH would be better if it were around 1.0, and your FT4 in the upper half of the range; and anxiety can be associated with being hypo and undermedicated. Your profile mentions wanting to try NDT, but what are you actually taking, and how much? Mitral valve prolapse can sometimes cause dizziness, breathlessness, tiredness, an irregular heartbeat or palpitations; are you being monitored or treated at all, or are you scheduled for surgery to fix it? Where there are symptoms with MVP it's recommended to give up cigarettes, caffeine and alcohol which can cause your heart to become overworked, and you can be given medication to relieve your symptoms, such as beta-blockers.

[Angel1x in reply to MaisieGray]

Hi yes I don't think I want to try NDT now I think that was around two years ago when I made my profile I have a scan every two years for my mvp currently seeing a functional doctor but my symptoms are very disabling for me I have cold hands and feet and my heart is elevated a lot that I have to lie down as I panic and I get palpitations everyday shortness of breath and panic attacks happen out the blue I don't no what's real and what isn't I just feel a big mess

[MaisieGray in reply to Angel1x]

So what thyroid meds are you taking, and how much, and are you given beta blockers to control your symptoms? I have an aortic problem that causes similar symptoms but was also separately diagnosed with essential tremor at the same time, and when starting beta blockers to address the symptoms from that, much of the palpitation-type symptoms of the cardio problem were also addressed. If you haven't been given them by your GP you might want to consider asking for them to help your symptoms; as if you aren't being panicked by the palpitation feelings you may find your panic attack responses improving or abating. However, as mentioned, anxiety can for some, be indicative that you need your thyroid meds adjusted upwards. You might also find that therapy could help you learn new and better coping behaviours - being anxious and responding to that anxiety with a panic attack can be a learnt behaviour that can just as readily be unlearnt with the right professional support.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ah, you have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism? Are you on Levo? If so, as MaisieGray has said, you are undermedicated and need an increase in dose. 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.

Your FT4 is 43% through it's range, your FT3 is 75% through it's range. Although when TSH is above 1 we can't work out accurately how well we convert, it's obvious your conversion is good with such a high FT3. If you change to NDT, that will take your FT3 higher, so I would look to increase Levo first and see how that goes.

What about vitamins and minerals? Have they been tested and are they at optimal levels? If not then you should consider testing

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[Angel1x]

Hi know I'm not on medication for anything the only supplements I have started recently is arjuna for the mvp

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Angel1x]

I've not heard of arjuna, will look into that.

Unfortunately, for your thyroid, in the UK we have to wait until TSH reaches 10 before getting a diagnosis. Sometimes when it is over range but under 10 with a normal FT4, an enlightened doctor will diagnose "Subclinical Hypothyroidism" and prescribe a trial of Levo, and there's more chance of this if antibodies are over range confirming autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashi's).