HYPOTHYROIDISM SECONDARY

[Ladybex]

Does anyone know anything about this... I am waiting to be diagnosed and feel I could have this but not sure

....

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ladybex

What makes you think you have secondary hypo? What are your test results for TSH, FT4 and FT3 - can you post them with their reference ranges, also any other results you have.

[Ladybex in reply to SeasideSusie]

I will as soon as I get them .. blood tests keep changing

Thank you seasideSusie

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ladybex]

If levels keep going up and down this is usually autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

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)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

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

Medichecks currently have an offer on until end of May - 20% off

thyroiduk.org.uk/index.html

Secondary hypothyroidism is usually diagnosed by low FT3 and FT4 yet TSH doesn't rise.

[Ladybex in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you... have been unwell for 18 months and still don’t know what’s wrong. GP says my blood tests keep changing indicating under active thyroid then next blood test it says I’m ok 🤔

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ladybex]

So you need both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested, vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

It's highly likely to be Hashimoto's. GP will call it autoimmune thyroid disease and think antibodies are irrelevant. They aren't

Getting blood test done at same time of day is important

TSH has a diurnal variation

Recommended to test early morning and fasting to get most consistent results

Hashimoto's frequently affects the gut and can lead to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Low vitamins tend to lower TSH

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

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

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

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

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Other gut issues due to being hypothyroid

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's gut connection is very poorly understood

[Ladybex in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for all that info 😊

[greygoose in reply to Ladybex]

Make sure you always get a print-out of your results. It's your legal right to have one in the UK. You need to know exactly what he's testing and exactly what the results are, and keep your own records. If you post results and ranges on here, people can help you understand them.

[Ladybex in reply to greygoose]

I keep asking for a print out and never get one... will ask again thank you ..

[greygoose in reply to Ladybex]

Who do you ask? No point in asking your doctor, he'd probably prefer you don't know! Ring reception and ask the receptionist to print them out for you, and you'll pick them up at her convencience. It she gets shirty, remind her that the law says you are entitled to a print-out.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Ladybex]

Probably not secondary hypo them. With that you'd have low/normal TSH and low free t4 and low free T3 every time.

[Angel_of_the_North]

You'll be very lucky to get a diagnosis. Only a few places know how to treat it - GPs don't. if you do get a diagnosis, you also need all your pituitary hormone tested, as it is common to have problem with more than one.

[Ladybex]

I am seeing my GP this week so will ask for print out and also to be tested for pituitary hormone. Thank you 😊 will update blood test results soon as I get them 😊