I posted on the forum a couple of months ago regarding high TGAB antibodies from a blood test with Medichecks. Just to recap, I've been taking 50mcg of levothyroxine for around 13 years. The last year or so I've started having a few symptoms such as hair loss/thinning, weak pulse, mild depression (which has now gone) and sometimes low diastolic blood pressure. I still work out and go for a run, so luckily it hasn't had a huge effect on life, but somethings not right all the same.
The doctor's notes from thriva state that my antibodies are raised (which they were a few months ago) but it also states my Vitamin D is low. Should I start taking a supplement now or wait to see my gp? The notes also stated I should ask my gp for a Coeliac blood test, and I have had some digestive issues such as bloating for a while. Not sure if I have some adrenal issues also, as I used to be anxious but it seems to have disappeared!
Oh, nearly forgot: the first test was done without fasting and just after taking my levo dose, but the latest test was done first thing in the morning before breakfast, and 24 hours after the last dose of levo.
As always, any advice on the above will be greatly appreciated.
Vitamin D is too low. GP will only prescribe to bring vitamin D up to 50nmol. Aiming to improve by self supplementing to at least 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better .
Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.
B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast
Recommended brands on here are Igennus Super B complex. (Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks ).
Or Jarrow B-right is popular choice, but is large capsule
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
Best to only start one supplement at a time and wait at least ten days to assess results before adding another supplement
Selenium supplements can help improve conversion of FT4 to FT3
Definitely get coeliac blood test
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 might lower antibodies. Though usually it's TPO antibodies that seem to lower with gluten free diet
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
Thank you so much for your very helpful response. I've said it before, but it so great that people give up their time to help others.
I'll get on to my gp for the coeliac blood test. Hopefully it will be negative so I can get on with sorting this out.
I've had a copy of blood tests from my gp that were done in November 2018. I was told if there was anything that came up my gp would give me a call. I heard nothing so assumed all was well. I had a print out of the blood tests yesterday and noticed the following:
Red Blood Cell count (RBC) 6.24 (4.50 - 6.00) HIGH
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) 78 FL (80 - 100) LOW
Mean Corpusc. haemoglobin (MCH) 25.2 PG (27.0 - 33.0) LOW
From what I can gather (from looking on the net all night!), it appears I was low on Iron or anaemic, but I heard nothing back from gp even though I told them all my symptoms. I'll be making an appointment with my gp to see why I wasn't contacted, and to show my recent lab tests.
Just wondering if I should be taking Iron supplements?
Many thanks, SeasideSusie. Just phoned my gp and they asked me to drop in my latest results, and I'll copy the test results they give me that shows Iron issues. I'll update the post once I hear anything,
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Thyroid symptoms or Parkinsons, an update to my previous post
Blood results - should I still switch to Erfa? 
Feedback please on latest test results?
Full set of test results finally
Update to Previous Thread with Results
