Hypo To Hyper?: I have my results now. The first... - Thyroid UK

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Hypo To Hyper?

RattyPatty profile image
10 Replies

I have my results now. The first lot are from March last year when my dose was reduced from 150 mcgs to 125. Mcg. I wasn't told I was hypo just borderline. The 2nd result is from last week and the reason given for reducing my dose again to 100 mcg. as I was hyper.

Free T4 level (XaERr). Above range. 41pmol/L (10.0 - 22.0). Above high reference limit.

TSH level (XaELV). Below range. <0.01mu/L (0.3-5.5) Below reference limit.

- --------------------------

Free T4 level (XaERr). Above range. 32 pmol/L (10.0 -22.0). Above high reference limit.

TSH level (XaELV). Below range. <0.01 mu/L (0.3-5.5) Below reference limit.

I would be happy to accept the results if only my symptoms corresponded with them. I have been hypo for years but now I am hyper but with hypo symptoms and the doctor can't tell me why.

Thanks.

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RattyPatty
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Just testing TSH and FT4 is completely inadequate

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

Recommended on here that 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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Ask GP to test vitamins and thyroid antibodies plus FT3

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

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_...

Come back with new post once you have full results and ranges

RattyPatty profile image
RattyPatty in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you for replying. I have to have another blood test in 6 weeks. I am going to try and lose some of the weight I have put on and see how I feel. I actually have up drink ING wine last October after the weight piled on but it didn't make any difference. I am worried that I may continue to gain weight as my dose has been reduced. Will the GP take any notice of lab results done privately. I know they can get a bit prickly if they think you are going over their heads.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to RattyPatty

GettIng full testing is first step....Thyroid AND vitamins

If vitamins are low, but within range, you can just self supplement to improve

If vitamins are below range, then showing a GP, they can either accept results or run own tests and prescribe

Eg extremely low vitamin D is very common and would need loading dose from GP

B12 and/or folate often very low. GP should test for Pernicious Anaemia before starting on any supplements or B12 injections

Low B12 is increasingly common as we age

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

If antibodies are high, then look at coeliac blood test before trying strictly gluten free diet

Conversion of FT4 to FT3 can be badly affected by low vitamins......if FT3 isn't tested it's impossible to know what's going on

greygoose profile image
greygoose

Well, you've answered your own question, really. Your doctor ignores your antibodies. Because your doctor doesn't understand antibodies. If your antibodies are high - TPO, I presume - then you have Hashi's. And, when you have Hashi's, you will have what are called Hashi's Flares - or Hashi's 'hyper' swings. But, you're not really hyper, because you're hypo. And the thyroid cannot suddenly start working over-time and pumping out excess hormone. You cannot go from hypo to hyper. What happens is, your immune system is attacking your thyroid, and the dying cells dump their stock of hormone into the blood, causing your FT4/FT3 levels to rise sharply, and your TSH will therefore drop. But, I'm sure you already knew all that. Unfortunately, doctors don't!

Your FT4 is still high, so no harm in dropping your dose - or even coming off levo completely for a while - as long as your doctor is willing to put it up again when your levels drop - which they will eventually, all by themselves. And, you will become hypo again, if not more so, because you will now have less thyroid to make hormone.

As for symptoms, some people get hyper symptoms, some continue to feel hypo, some feel nothing at all - and some, like me, just feel wonderful for a few weeks! We're all individuals and all feel things differently. But, it has little to do with your dose. So, you don't really want your doctor to reinstate your old dose at the moment. Wait until your levels come back into range. You could even try stopping the levo completely for a few days and see if that makes you feel any better. But, only for a few days. :)

I wasn't told I was hypo just borderline.

Well, what they meant was 'borderline hypo'. You can't just be 'borderline'. Nor, in my opinion, can you be borderline hypo. It's like being borderline pregnant. Either you are or you aren't. But, doctors use terms like that to either avoid diagnosing and treating your, or to give you as little levo as possible. But, you must have been hypo or they would never have prescribe any levo at all. Do you have your results from the time you were diagnosed?

RattyPatty profile image
RattyPatty in reply to greygoose

I have my results now. The first lot are from March last year when my dose was reduced from 150 mcgs to 125. Mcg. I wasn't told I was hypo just borderline. The 2nd result is from last week and the reason given for reducing my dose again to 100 mcg. as I was hyper.

Free T4 level (XaERr). Above range. 41pmol/L (10.0 - 22.0). Above high reference limit.

TSH level (XaELV). Below range. <0.01mu/L (0.3-5.5) Below reference limit.

- --------------------------

Free T4 level (XaERr). Above range. 32 pmol/L (10.0 -22.0). Above high reference limit.

TSH level (XaELV). Below range. <0.01 mu/L (0.3-5.5) Below reference limit.

Thank you

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to RattyPatty

Well, that's exactly what you said in your original post. I read all that. Why are you repeating it?

RattyPatty profile image
RattyPatty in reply to greygoose

Sorry I just reread your post and realised you were asking for my initial blood test. That was a good few years ago and at a different surgery. I have never seen my results as I was happy with the way I was. I moved a year ago and had blood tess as a new patient. The new doctor then lowered my dose.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to RattyPatty

OK, so, as I said, the new doctor knows nothing about Hashi's. But, the point is, do you know all about it?

RattyPatty profile image
RattyPatty in reply to greygoose

Well I know something about it now! I was relatively happy with myself until now so it wasn't necessary. I went to the doctor last week expecting him to increase my dose again when I told him how I felt so I was quite upset when he said I was hyper and lowered the dose again. I didn't know what to say apart from how I had hypo symptoms so how was it possible. I shall be better prepared after my blood test in 6 weeks time. I will probably pay for the full works test when it comes on offer again.

Thank you

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to RattyPatty

Glad to be of service. :) Hope you can now educate the ignorant blighter!

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