Medicheck results. Any advice appreciated.

[HeartArt]

Hiya, I’m New 😊

Diagnosed Hypothyroidism 2005.

Presently on 100mcg Levothyroxine

Over the years my dosage has decreased and increased.

Was on 150mcg since 2014 but was reduced to 100mcg in two 25mcg stages during the summer 2018 due to very suppressed TSH

Benefits of med decrease. No whooshing in my years. Weight loss of 2 stone. Was marginally overweight now normal. No chronic constipation.

Note: At the time on diagnoses in 2005 I was being tested for Hyperthyroidism due to being underweight. I have no idea why but sometimes I have hyper symptoms when hypo and hypo symptoms when over medicated!

Present symptoms ..... a loss of 50% of my hair stared within days of med reduction and still coming out. I’m thinking of buying a wig. My mojo has gone. I’m not tired but feel low and lazy. Which isn’t my normal happy bouncy self. Low stress and my life is good and on an upward spiral, but I feel my mojo ran off and left me. I also believe I suffer from DOMS even very light exercise eg walking. When doing any cardio DOMS can last over 2 weeks. I will struggle to climb the stairs due to the pain.

Started after med decrease.

I’m gluten free on and off since 1996 but strictly since 2012. Only eaten it twice by accident over these last 7 years and suffered terrible cramps in stomach and exhaustion that lasted for days.

Diet mainly Paleo I eat meat daily and liver a couple of times a month. With a consumption of 10+ fresh fruit and veg a day. Dairy a couple of times a week.

Take 1000mg vit c, High strength vit B, selenium, magnesium, vit D, Zinc, fish oil, vit K.

Here are my latest results. I’ve only listened the DR in the past about TSH so no idea about T4 or T3?

Test after fasting, early morning, 24hr without med and 3 weeks without biotin

All says “Normal” apart from Antibodies, which were also present when last tested in 2005

Vit D results due in a few days.

CRP - HIGH SENSITIVITY 0.13mg/L < 5

FERRITIN 15.6ug/L 13 - 150

SERUM FOLATE 12.63ug/L > 3.89 - 19.45

ACTIVE B12 92.5pmol/L 37.5 - 188

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 1.14mIU/L 0.27 - 4.2

FREE T3 3.99pmol/L 3.1 - 6.8

FREE THYROXINE 16.6pmol/L 12 - 22

THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY 246kU/L < 115

THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES 202kIU/L < 34

Thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I have no idea why but sometimes I have hyper symptoms when hypo and hypo symptoms when over medicated!

Here's your answer

Antibodies, which were also present when last tested in 2005

THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY 246kU/L < 115

THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES 202kIU/L < 34

Your raised antibodies mean that you are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's which is where the thyroid is attacked and gradually destroyed. The antibodies fluctuate and cause fluctuations in symptoms and test results.

General Hashi's information:

You can possibly help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Most doctors dismiss antibodies as being of no importance and know little or nothing about Hashi's and how it affects the patient, test results and symptoms. You need to read, learn, understand and help yourself where Hashi's is concerned.

Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies.

I know you're gluten free and supplementing selenium, that is a copy and paste of my standard information.

You seem very clued up already, I'm surprised you haven't mentioned:

FERRITIN 15.6ug/L 13 - 150

This is a big problem. Low ferritin can suggest iron deficiency anaemia. You should ask your GP for a full blood count and an iron panel. That level of ferritin is not a DIY job, it needs investigating.

For thyroid hormone to work properly (that's our own as well as replacement hormone) it's said that ferritin needs to be at least 70, preferably half way through range.

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 1.14mIU/L 0.27 - 4.2

FREE T3 3.99pmol/L 3.1 - 6.8

FREE THYROXINE 16.6pmol/L 12 - 22

These aren't bad, when on Levo only, the aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges if that is where you feel well.

Once your ferritin level is improved, this may improve your thyroid results.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to SeasideSusie]

Isn't FT3 rather low?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, it is SD, but I think addressing the ferritin level first might kick start better conversion. Once ferritin is optimal then see what conversion is like and address it if it's still poor.

[HeartArt in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you both.

The nurse practitioner has requested full blood count and iron panel blood tests regarding the low ferritin.

Plus liver, kidney, diabetes tests. All tests I was just going to purchase today from medichecks so that has saved me the expensive.

She also said she never looks at thyroid blood level results what is important she said "Is how you feel?" Which I thought was good.

I understand building ferritin will be a long process but I'm happy to wait to see how my thyroid levels are after my ferritin increases and take it all from there.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to HeartArt]

If you are having an iron panel then you should fast for 8-12 hours beforehand, and unfortunately that means nothing to drink (maybe have some water) as well as nothing to eat in the case of an iron panel. Best book that for first thing in the morning.

nhs.uk/common-health-questi...

[HeartArt in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you Susie. That is very helpful. I'll get it done next week early at the local hospital.

My vitamin D results have just arrived.

Total Vitamin D :

Status:

50.2 nmol/L

ADEQUATE

Interpretive Guide:

(25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 : 47.4 nmol/L, 25-hydroxyvitamin D 2 : 2.8 nmol/L)

It say anything over 50 is adequate. I'll keep taking vitamin D because mine at 50.2 is borderline. Would you agree?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to HeartArt]

Vit D - The Vit D Council recommends a level of 125nmol/L [50ng/ml] and the Vit D Society recommends a level between 100-150nmol/L [40-60ng/ml].

With your current level, they recommend supplementing with 3,700iu daily (nearest is 4,000iu).

vitamindcouncil.org/i-teste...

As you have Hashi's then an oral spray is best, e.g. BetterYou.

[HeartArt in reply to SeasideSusie]

Susie. I very much appreciate your help today. Your obviously very clued up and a gem of information! I feel I'm getting healthier just by talking to you. I've just ordered the spray.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to HeartArt]

Nurse sounds like a breath of fresh air 😀

[HeartArt in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes she was great. I think I'll stop seeing the DR and always go to her from now on. She said she can do everything a DR does, but just isn't paid the same as them.