A little clarification please :)

[LunaDancer]

Good evening!

So!

I have been reading and researching but would love someone just to give me a really brief layman's terms summary.

My thyroid is underactive. I am also showing some signs of something autoimmune.

I have a rash on my face and am awaiting an appointment with the dermatologist to rule out RA or a type of lupus.

I have had 3 sets of Free T4 and TSH results. The 2nd is shown and was worse than the first. The 3rd, which was taken after a 6 week course of supplements and changed diet had some improvement - FT4 10.6, TSH 5.10.

I asked for my vitamin D to be tested. It was low - unsure of the reading but I was prescribed 20,000 IU twice weekly for 7 weeks.

My GP has switched and I'm seeing the new one tomorrow as she would like to discuss my thyroid results.

Basically I'm wondering what I should be looking at asking.

I read so much that I should have my B12 and Ferritin tested.

Can someone briefly explain to me why so I can argue my case to my doctor - I'm only pre-empting a need for a reason as I've read so much about people's struggles to get these bloods done. My understanding is that an underactive thyroid can often cause low levels of these? Or do low levels cause an underactive thyroid?

I understand I should get my TPO and TG tested also? To rule out or in Hashimoto's? Could you tell me what having this diagnosis would mean to me please? Is the treatment different? Is the prognosis different?

I read I should get my FT3 tested? Or is this only if one of my numbers (TSH FT4) are out?

One of the books I read suggested getting my parathyroid and progesterone tested?

I'm feeling much better than when I first went to the doctor at the beginning of March with some general not quite feeling my best symptoms. My hair has stopped falling out, my periods are lighter, I'm not as fatigued.

Thank you so much for all your knowledge! This forum is wonderful.

I'm just struggling a bit with the basics.

[greygoose]

My understanding is that an underactive thyroid can often cause low levels of these? Or do low levels cause an underactive thyroid?

Low T3 can lower stomach acid, meaning that you cannot digest your food properly in order to absorb nutrients from it. So, levels of b12, ferritin, etc. drop. The low nutrients are caused by being hypo, not the other way round.

I understand I should get my TPO and TG tested also? To rule out or in Hashimoto's? Could you tell me what having this diagnosis would mean to me please? Is the treatment different? Is the prognosis different?

The treatment will be the same, because there is no treatment for Hashi's. All you can do is replace the hormone that your damaged thyroid can no-longer make enough of.

The prognosis is that your thyroid will slowly be destroyed by the immune system and you will become completely dependant on thyroid hormone replacement - levo, etc.

The reason you should know is that if your levels suddenly go sky high, you know what's causing it - I take it you know how Hashi's works. Because your doctor won't know, and will probably accuse you of 'abusing' your thyroid hormone. At least you'll be able to set him straight.

I read I should get my FT3 tested? Or is this only if one of my numbers (TSH FT4) are out?

The FT3 is the most important number because T3 is the active hormone - T4 is basically a storage hormone. But, the NHS won't do it because they haven't taught their doctors anything about T3 - they don't know what it does and don't know how to interpret the blood test results, so they pretend it doesn't matter. But, the problem is that your TSH and FT4 can be perfect, but your FT3 still too low for good health.

One of the books I read suggested getting my parathyroid and progesterone tested?

These will probably only be tested if the doctor has reason to believe that there's a problem relating to one of them. For example, if you had high calcium, the proceedure would be to test your parathyroids.

[LunaDancer in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your in depth reply!

[greygoose in reply to LunaDancer]

You're welcome.