Thyroid hell or other?

[evia]

I know I am not the only one, but this is a nightmare. From a couple of months after excess stress I started feeling extreme fatigue, sensitivity to hot /when I enter shops etc/, sleepiness, headache, BP spikes, palpitations etc. At first my GP said stress and prescribed me a beta blocker. I went on a diet. No result. I then tested my thyroid, optimistically trying to find a solution. But my TSH is “normal” 0,78. FT3, FT4 as well. I had an elevated MAT 121. And an enlarged thyroid so they concluded Hashi. But no medications were prescribed! Only selenium. I take omega 3/6 as well and magnesium. No result. I feel terrible. No energy for anything. Then I dismissed infections /it's a long story./ Then I went to a neurologist and he discovered some spondylosis in the neck and osteoartritis. He concluded that headache could be from that. I am not old I am 45. Prescribed me anti inflammatory pills. But still....it is not enough.

[humanbean]

I had an elevated MAT 121.

I have never heard of this before. What is it?

[evia in reply to humanbean]

Sorry I do not live in the UK. Antibodies

[greygoose in reply to evia]

Question is: which antibodies? Or, does it just stand for Medical Assessment Test? There are many things it could stand for, actually. But, if we don't even know what language you speak, it's a bit difficult, but important to know. Because, if they were TPO antibodies, then you would have Hashi's, and that would change the whole ballgame.

However 'normal' is a word that has no place in medical jargon, because there's no such thing. Can you give us the numbers - results and ranges?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to greygoose]

I think it might be "microsomal antibody test" - what Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies were called before they identified Thyroid Peroxidase, if you see what I mean.

[greygoose in reply to helvella]

Ah, yes! I never thought of that.

[evia in reply to helvella]

Yes

[evia in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. AntiTPO. It must me Hashi then. The point is that my TSH is in norm FT4 and FT3 as well. I will find the exact references. And docs refuse treatment as in many other cases, I live in Eastern Europe. English education all my life:).

But since my symptoms are so severe I am at my wits end. I thought I might be hyperthyroid. Not hypo. Because most people are hypo and it is clearer.

I mean that with such results my symptoms are very intense. Doctors say thyroid functions normally!

Recently a new endocrinologist suggested Cortisol test.

Strangely I am hoping for new lab results. That will show real deviation.

[greygoose in reply to evia]

It's difficult to know anything if we don't have the actual labs - 'low', 'high', 'normal', are just opinions, really. And doctors aren't always the best to judge where thyroid is concerned.

But, you should be aware that with Hashi's levels can fluctuate, so just because your labs gave certain results at the time of the last test, doesn't mean they are always like that. You should test as often as you can.

[evia in reply to greygoose]

Very well. I will test.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So high thyroid antibodies confirms cause is autoimmune thyroid disease

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. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

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

As 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 hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

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

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

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

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...

[evia in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you! I will definitely check my vitamins. Early in the morning everything, yes. Here as well.

FT4 result 1.4. FT3 result 3.8.

The problem is no one is giving me medication because it is “euthyroid Hashi”.

And I desperately need them.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to evia]

Getting vitamins tested is likely to show they are too low

Improving these can help with symptoms

Frequently strictly gluten free diet helps improve symptoms too