Blood tests results

Do I need to be concerned about any of the results please can someone tell me,it says high calcium antibodies but I don’t know what that means. Thank you x

[greygoose]

I don't know anything about calcium antibodies, either. But you do have high TPO antibodies, which means you have Hashi's - aka Autoimmune Thyroiditis. So, yes, you should be concerned.

And, your TSH is well over the top of the range, and your FT4 low in-range, so you are hypo. Have you had any sort of thyroid diagnosis? Are you taking any thyroid hormone replacement?

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

I started WP NDT 2 days ago, I’m cutting the 1 grain in half but I don’t know if that’s the right thing to do or not, I was concerned about having an reaction so thought I’d start of slow. Can you advise me please? Thank you

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

So, you're self-treating? What did your doctor say about these results? Or did he prescribe the WP NDT?

If you're starting on NDT without ever having been on thyroid hormone replacement before, then you were right to start with half a grain. Always best to start low and increase slowly with hormones. You could increase by 1/4 grain after two weeks. Then the other 1/4 two weeks later. When are you due to go for a retest?

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Thank you, can you clarify that the half I’m taking is ok at the moment and to increase by another quarter until I reach 1gram? A private endo gave me my script. I’m due for blood test next week and seeing my nhs endo end of the month- although we spoke about NDT he doesn’t know I’m now taking it. Please can you tell me if I also need t3 as well as NDT as a few posts mentions it. Thank you x

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

It's one grain, not one gram.

Yes, that's right, you've started on half a grain, and you're going to increase by quarter grain every two weeks.

However, your blood test next week will not show your true levels, because you need to be on a steady dose of six weeks for the hormone to be completely absorbed and processed by your body.

And, until you've been on 1 grain for six weeks and been retested, we cannot tell if that will be the right dose for you, or if you need to increase the NDT, or add T3 or whatever. I'm afraid you're going to have to wait a bit before we can talk about all that.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Thank you so much I will do that, I really do appreciate your help x

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

You're very welcome.

[Heloise]

verywellhealth.com/thyroid-...

Something is triggering your immune cells to target an enzyme in your thyroid gland. They find that gluten protein resembles thyroid tissue and this may be the trigger. Gluten can leak through the digestive tract if you have heard of leaky gut. The immune system goes after these rogue bodies and unfortunately destroy thyroid gland tissue along with it. You could try avoiding gluten.

High cholesterol is usually a sign of hypothyroidism as well. You are not putting out enough hormone and soon you will have more symptoms.

[Hidden in reply to Heloise]

Thank you for your reply I’m cutting out gluten as far as I know is possible. This is awful, I’m feeling so out of control that my body is attacking it’s self. Will taking NDT stop it attacking?

[Heloise in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to say, no, and that you must look at this as an autoimmune condition.

But if you are succeeding with the gluten your body may slowly be able to control what's already in your system. That may reduce antibodies.

Your thyroid is doing nothing wrong at all. You immune cells are doing their job of attacking foreign proteins which happen to be attached to the easiest target which is our sensitive thyroid gland. The important thing for you to do is close up the leaky gut. Gluten definitely can cause it and then other particles can go out. You can also make sure what you are eating does not contain chemicals and artificial foods because they also stress the immune system. This means that avoiding processed food and eating organic food is a great benefit as well.

The answer is that just taking a thyroid hormone is not a cure for Hashimoto's but getting your dosage correct will certainly make you feel somewhat better.

[Hidden in reply to Heloise]

Thank you x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ask your GP to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

With Hashimoto's we often have low vitamin levels and these frequently need supplementing to improve to optimal so that thyroid hormones can work well

Or test privately via Medichecks or Blue Horizon

You could just test vitamin D now £29

vitamindtest.org.uk

Start improving this, assuming level is low. Aiming to improve vitamin D to at least 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better . Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function.

Then add the other vitamins to tests after 6 weeks on CONSTANT dose of thyroid hormones

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)

If/when also on T3, or NDT (i.e. wP) make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test

Essential to test FT3

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra or Blue Horizon plus ten, don't include vitamin D test

[Hidden]

Thank you that’s very helpful and really appreciated. I struggle to eat healthy and take the complan meal replacement drinks most days because I feel either too sick or too weak to cook anything so it’s difficult I will do everything you mention thank you again x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Hashimoto's can improve significantly with a good diet. That means plenty of good protein, good fats and not much carb and many of us find strictly gluten free diet a revelation. Some find dairy free helps too

Fresh foods. Perhaps a salad with avocado, sardines, or an omelette. Doesn't need to be fancy food

Read up on Isabella Wentz website and others lots of simple food ideas

thyroidpharmacist.com

[Hidden]

Thank you x