Help with interpreting my test results

[AlwaysaBusyBee]

Hi I’m new here I’ve had an under active thyroid for years & finally after years of being fobbed off by the Dr decided to get a private blood test. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of it before!

I take 100mg of levothyroxine a day.

Despite a sensible diet & as much exercise as my tiredness allows I am still atleast 2.5 stone heavier than pre thyroid.

I am continually tired. I feel out of control at work, having to work longer hours to get the job done. Have problems with brain fog, sometimes unable to find even the simplest of words. For me this is worrying as my job is difficult at the best of times & I need to think & act quickly.

Cold all the time, unless it’s very hot & then I overheat very easily.

My results are

THS. .487 Range .27 - 4.2

T4. 24.3 Range 12 - 22

T3. 4.57 Range 3.10 - 6.8

Thyroglobulin Antibody 253. Range 0 - 115

Thyroid Peroxidaise Antibodies 9 Range 0 - 34

B12. 28.2 Range 37.5 - 188

Folate 9.15 Range 3.89 - 26.8

CRP - High sensitivity .74 Range 0 - 5

Ferritin 74.6. Range 13 - 150

On the face of it looks like I have Hashimoto’s & so need to consider cutting at least gluten.

I need to look at my B12 as it’s too low - perhaps a problem with absorption due to my thyroid.

But what about my high T4 as opposed to T3 being in range. Could I benefit from T3 ?

Any help gratefully received before I try the Dr again.

Is it usual it the uk to be referred to an endo consultant? This is not something that has been offered to me before.

Thank you for taking the time to read this rather long post 🙂

[greygoose]

Your B12 is so low, you should be tested for Pernicious Anemia. Don't supplement until this has been done.

You have a conversion problem - like a lot of Hashi's people - so, yes, T3 would help you. But, it's very difficult to get it prescribed in the UK, these days.

No, it's not usual in the UK to be referred to an endo - and it's not always a good idea, because endos tend to be diabetes specialists, and know very little about thyroid - they also tend to have some very weird ideas about treatment! But, if you want T3, only an endo can prescribe it. So, you'd have to see one.

[AlwaysaBusyBee in reply to greygoose]

Thank you Greygoose for a speedy response. Do you know if I take the results to my GP & ask to be tested for Pernicious Anemia will they agree to test or will it be another battle to get tested - am I better off going privately again ? Thanks

[greygoose in reply to AlwaysaBusyBee]

That really does depend on your GP. Impossible to predict. You'll have to try and see what happens. A lot of them just don't understand the implications of such low B12.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Two options

Go see GP with these results and ask for full testing of B12 for Pernicious Anaemia

Or don't take results along, and ask anyway

You also need vitamin D tested

Email Dionne at Thyroid Uk for list of recommended thyroid specialists

please email Dionne at

[e-mail]

Getting B12, folate, ferritin and Vitamin D regularly tested and optimal by regular supplementing is first step

If FT3 remains low then you will need to see endocrinologist for prescription for addition of small dose of T3

[AlwaysaBusyBee in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon