Doctor ??

[Bev69]

Hi, just to say glad I found this forum, I'll post my stats first:

In December after previous higher readings where no action was taken by my GP as I was told I was "borderline" my readings were:

TSH 5.2 ref range (0.2-4.0)

Serum free T4 14.3 (10-20)

TPO 1300 (<100)

I finally had a doctor ring me to say I must go on Levo as I had subclinical hypothyroidism, I had previously put my tiredness and weight gain down to getting old and lazy ! I'm 49

So in Jan I started on 25mg of Levo, I've not felt any better, back for blood test last week and they only tested the TSH this time.

This was now at 2.7 (0.2-04)

Thanks to reading others levels on here I knew that I was still not optimal, anyway when I went back to GP, she was apologetic for getting me back in as she said my level was now "normal" and she said no further action to be taken?...

I told her I didn't feel any better she sounded surprised then said " oh ok I suppose we can up it to 50mg"

I also asked her why my TPO hadn't been tested again, she just said that my antibodies will always be high? When I asked her why she said she has no idea about hyperthyroidism!?!

Anyway I've come away with 50 mg so I'll see how I get on but it's a good job I did a bit of research thanks to this site otherwise I think I would have been robbed off!

Thanks for reading

[Bev69]

Thanks for your reply, oops spell check changed it to hyper...

No the GP didn't order any other tests, but I did follow the advice on here Levo 24 hrs before, fasted and blood draw early am, I'll call in and ask for extra tests but doubt they will as NHS seem to do things as cheap as possible

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

Ask GP to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 as these are all often too low with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's)

Also request coeliac blood test too

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

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 or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first




Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

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

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

[Bev69 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your reply SlowDragon, I will call back into GP's in the morning, can I insist on these tests or is it at the doctors discretion? If not I'll look into private tests.

I've been on a ketogenic diet for the last 4 years so definitely gluten free, I'm also dairy free too, this is how I knew things weren't right as I'd lost 4 stone but then I gained a stone within 6 months without changing anything.

Thanks for the links, I'll get reading

[Bev69 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon,

Miracle of miracles I went and asked for the additional tests for B12, folate & ferritin and they've authorised them ! Couldn't get vit D as I'm already prescribed that with calcium.

So is there any rules regarding those blood tests, fasted? Early in day as possible ? Take Levo as usual on the day ?

Thanks

[greygoose]

Looking at her photos, RFU, don't you think she's also hypo? Baggy eyes, creased neck, always looks so tired! Bet she's undiagnosed hypo, which says it all!

[bantam12 in reply to greygoose]

Wouldn't anyone doing her job have baggy eyes and look tired 🤔

[greygoose in reply to bantam12]

Not necessarily, no. Not to that point! Her eyes are also puffy and hooded, and her eyebrows are very sparse in some photos. She really looks hypo to me.

[greygoose]

But, did that doctor diagnose your daughter just by looking at her? If Mrs May has never had a blood test for her thyroid, she's unlikely to get diagnosed.

[greygoose]

Exactly! I think we'd all line up outside and go in one by one to break the news! lol

[greygoose]

Now, why doesn't that surprise me!

[Mary-intussuception]

You have Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis and Hypothyroidism.

With Hashimoto's the regular tfts (Thyroid Function blood tests ) can fluctuate and fall within the "normal" range. Your TSH is over range anyway.

The target Therapeutic level of TSH in Hypothyroid people is much lower than the 'normal ' maximum. My Endocrinologist says max 2 but most on here say it should ideally be max of one. TSH needs to be kept low to protect the Pituitary Gland from over working.

You need FreeT3 and FreeT4 testing. Would probably need to see an Endocrinologist to get these done.

Also (ideally) Adrenals should have been checked before starting Levothyroxine. You could enquire about this. You could ask your GP to refer you to an Endocrinologist.

I'm a bit confused by some of your replies, are you very short? As you say weight gain is a symptom but on your new post you say both - weight gain and, yet , that you are only 8 st. I think 8st is a fantastic weight for a 49 yr old.

[Bev69 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Hiya yes I'm 5ft 1 but I was 7 stone and I've put on a stone over the last year, although eating the same food, so sorry for the confusion there, I'm going to see my doctor in a month so I'll ask for other tests as she's really not well informed on thyroid.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Bev69]

8st is an excellent weight for a 5ft 1in, 49 year old woman (but that's just my opinion!) .

Weight gain without a reason (loss of mobility / increase in dietary intake or both for eg) is a Hypothyroid symptom.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Bev69]

I would be asking doctor about HIGH Ferritin result. I would be asking for some blood tests : Liver Function Tests, Full Blood Count, Full Iron Panel.

Might not get them all but hopefully at least LFTs and FBC.

Could also ask about referal to Endocrinologist whilst there but might not get it.

Could ask for referal to Haematology re Iron / Liver investigations but again, might not get it.

[Mary-intussuception]

Were you taking Biotin (Vitamin B7) in either a B complex or Multivitamins when you had this test?

[Bev69 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Just Boots A-Z multivitamins

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Bev69]

These contain Biotin (Vitamin B7). There should be full information on the container about all ingredients.

May I suggest you ask Slow Dragon and/or SeasideSusie about taking any supplement containing Biotin at the time of having a Thyroid blood test and any possible effect there might be.