Got my appointment with the endocrinologist at the hospital tomorrow,any tips or ideas what i should be asking about or for?
I currently have underactive thyroid,on 125mcg of levothyroxine ,have trouble swallowing and sometimes stop breathing,i havent been able to get pregnant again since i lost two babies in 2017 due to my thyroid and ive since been diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome and fibromyalgia so my body is attacking itself all because of my thyroid not working properly!!.
I am asking for a full thyroid panel and a scan of my throat,anything else you can think of???
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sexysam666
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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
Have you ever had TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested in past? High antibodies confirm cause of your hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's. About 80-90% of primary hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose 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)
Is this how you do your tests?
Absolutely essential to regularly retest vitamin levels. Frequently we need to supplement some, or all of these regularly to maintain optimal levels
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
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
Fibromyalgia is often linked to low FT3
Low FT3 is common if vitamins are low.
Hashimoto's patients are more likely to have low vitamin levels
Gluten intolerance is also very common
Ask for coeliac blood test if Hashimoto's is confirmed
Hashimoto's very often affects the gut and then 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
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
When TTC then Levothyroxine dose should be high enough to bring TSH under 2. Frequently anyone on Levothyroxine needs TSH lower than this, often under one. FT4 should be in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range
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Results please advice needed
Advice desperately needed please
Under active thyroid advice needed
Advice needed please
