Hi there. I'm new here, and have been doing a lot of reading the last couple of days following the results of blood tests I had done by medichecks. I believe the results show I have have Hashimoto's, but would be really grateful if someone with more knowledge than me (not hard!) could have a look and tell me what they think?
Recently had a blood test at my GP surgery. They did a whole range of tests as I have been flooding during my period for the last year or so, am constantly exhausted, have brain fog and terrible memory, sore breasts during period (never used to), wake up with sore back and hips (have changed the mattress so it isn't that).
To be honest, I thought I might be peri-menopausal, as the symptoms fit that (I'm 43). Can also fit lots of other things too.
Anyway, blood work was generally ok, tested ferritin, B12 etc. However, my TSH came up at 4.43 (it showed the range as being up to 4.2). Was told to go back for a repeat blood test in 3 months, which will be next month.
Did some reading around, and saw that my symptoms, including the excessive bleeding, can be symptoms of Hashimoto's. I also read on Mumsnet somewhere about a company called medichecks, who do blood test, so after some investigation and reading around the subject, decided to go for it, as I was aware that my TSH and T4 in isolation as done by the GP wouldn't show the full picture, and I wanted to know if I actually had a problem, or rule it out.
Results came back as follows, and I believe confirm that I have Hasimoto's, although obviously I am very new to this. I have booked a GP appointment for next week, but wondered if anyone on here could offer any advice on my results, what to expect (if anything?) from GP, questions I should be asking etc.
TSH 4.04 (range 0.2 - 4.4)
Free T3 4.7 (range 3.1 - 6.8)
Free thyroxine 16.3 (range 12 - 22)
Thyroglobulin antibodies 230 (range 0 - 115)
Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies 17.1 (range 0 - 34)
Just in case it's of interest, the other relevant levels from my GP blood tests were as follows:L
Serum ferritin level 58 (range 11 - 307)
Serum vitamin B12 level 335 (range 180 - 914)
Serum folate level 9.9 (range 3 - 20)
I do have a gynae referral as well in relation to the bleeding.
I just want to stop feeling so knackered all the time! I'm permanently exhausted, and during my period this becomes even worse. I have no idea whether the GP will do anything about the above results or not, but would appreciate any advice anyone can give?
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Fluffysheep
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I've only just thought about this, and no idea if it has any relevance at all, but I had a thyroglossal duct cyst removed about 6 years ago. Had a follow up a few weeks after surgery to say everything was fine, and nothing further since then.
Sore breast could be high prolactin. Common too with Hashimoto's
Low ferritin
Eating liver or liver pate once a week, plus other iron rich foods like black pudding, prawns, spinach, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily vitamin C can help improve iron absorption
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
Hashimoto's very often 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
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
Thanks for this. Any idea how GPs usually respond to blood results from companies like medichecks? Are they likely to want to repeat the tests on the NHS, including antibodies? I've got a repeat test in June, but it's only for TSH and T4, I will see if they will do everything plus the vitamin ones.
Diet wise I've vegetarian, so liver etc is out, but do eat spinach sometimes. I'm also low carb, high fat, which I've been doing on and off for the last couple of years. When on the diet I'm not exactly gluten free, but eat very little gluten just by way of the fact that stuff with gluten in tends to be high carb. I can't say that I have noticed any adverse effects of gluten though, just that carbs make me fat as I have no control! Because I'm vegetarian and low carb, I do eat a lot of dairy, which I guess could potentially be a problem.
I'll go and have a good look at the links you have posted, thank you.
As I predicted, GP wasn't that interested. Very nice, but was basically trying to tell me there is nothing wrong with me and my TSH is fine. Said that lots of people have antibodies, and that mine weren't really that high.
I did explain I was symptomatic, and tried to explain that I had read that we one of the countries with the highest TSH range, and if I was elsewhere I would be considered way above range. She agreed with this, and said it basically boils down to lack of money in the NHS. Great!
She did eventually agree to speak with the endocrinology team and see if they would see me, but I really don't hold out much hope given everything I've read in the last week or so.
Guess I'll just wait until my thyroid slowly and surely gets destroyed then............
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