Help with reading results

[Henson1980]

I have just received my results back from medichecks and would welcome some advice on what they mean. Most out of range. Does this mean I have Hashimoto? I’m currently taking 75mg of thyroxine but still experiencing heart palpitations, tiredness etc

[SlowDragon Administrator]

See your GP, you need 25mcg dose increase in Levothyroxine and bloods retested in 6-8 weeks

Palpitations can be due to under medication

TSH should be under 2 when on Levothyroxine, often we need it lower than that, around one

Your 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

Ask your GP to test vitamins

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 first, and vitamins too

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[Henson1980 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks Slow Dragon. So if I go Gluten free and check my vits are within range (if not then treat accordingly) then the levels should come down? Thank you for your detailed response, so much to get my head around and feeling down about it...just want to feel healthy again!

[greygoose]

You should know that even if you reduce your antibodies - if that is actually possible, it's difficult to prove because antibodies fluctuate - you will not reduce your Hashi's. You will still have Hashi's because the antibodies are not the disease. It is not the TPO or Tg antibodies that do the attacking, they just clean up after the attack. Going gluten-free might possibly reduce the attacks, but will also possibly make you feel better if you're gluten-sensitive - which a lot of Hashi's people are. So, worth trying for that reason. But not worth doing just with the aim of reducing antibodies.

[Henson1980 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks Greygoose. I am planning on going Gluten-free. I will be getting my vitamin levels checked this week but in the meantime can you recommend a good source of vitamins please? I'm currently using the Vit D DLUX spray and selenium 200mg. I know its difficult to advise when I don't have my readings yet but can you suggest a good Vit b complex if needed?

[greygoose in reply to Henson1980]

Igennus is a good one. But, whatever supplements you buy, best to find on-line sources, because you will not get good quality in pharmacies, health food shops, or the local supermarket. I buy all mine on amazon.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Henson1980]

Getting tested FIRST

then come back for advice on what supplements you need