Private blood results

[Fiona-1]

Had an under active thyroid for 2 years Been seeing the doctor recently because I’ve become so fatigued and and had bad brain fog who did basic bloods and put my thyroxine up to 100 last week and said She thought was depressed I don’t feel depressed just brain fog and fatigue with no energy I decided to get my own bloods done privately and these are the results if anyone can understand them and help me I would be most greatful

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your results show you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

TSH is over range

Folate and B12 very low. GP should test for Pernicious Anaemia before starting on B12 injections or daily supplements. Folic acid supplements should not be started until 48 hours after first B12 injection or supplements

You also need vitamin D and ferritin tested, plus coeliac blood test too

Starting on 50mcg Levothyroxine and bloods retested 6-8 weeks later

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).

Your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

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 slowly lower TPO antibodies

While still eating high gluten diet 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...

healthcentral.com/article/t...

Other gut issues due to being hypothyroid

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Fiona-1]

I first went to have bloods done week before Easter around the 16th of April as Was feeling so unwell fatigue and shattered falling asleep at the wheel they called me 2 days later saying results were in booked me to see Gp on 16th May

(no surgery appointments available)

On the 14th of May I had to come home from work I was unable to function or focus (ambulance crew) I called my Gp and she saw me there and then saying she would up my Levothyroxine from 75 to 100 signed me off work for 2 weeks she said my folate was borderline and my b12 was ok but said she would see me in 2 week I came out feeling she didn’t have a clue and That I was depressed I got home and decided to pay for a private blood test I went back yesterday still feeling really bad and she said to take some over counter folate it might help she also again offered me antidepressants as she thought I might be depressed which again I refused as I do not feel depressed in any way she then signed me off for another 2 wks and said to get blood test done end of June beginning of July today these results are back I feel bad undermining my Gp and having these done but I carnt carry on lossing time from work as I am ambulance crew but I know I carnt work feeling this bad it dangerous

[greygoose in reply to Fiona-1]

You're right, she doesn't know what she's doing. Your B12 is too low and your TSH is way too high for someone on thyroid hormone replacement. It should have come down to 1 or under. How long had you been on 75 mcg? It should have been increased six weeks after you started it.

So, don't feel bad about 'undermining' her - there's not much to undermine! She is woefully ignorant about thyroid, and if you want to get well, you just cannot rely on her. She's far more interested in pushing drugs than treating patients correctly.

[Fiona-1 in reply to greygoose]

I started on 50 2 years ago then 6wks later I had another blood test upped to 75 been on that ever since 2 weeks ago when I saw her coz I felt so bad she put them up to 100 had private blood test tues this week and the results are as you see

[greygoose in reply to Fiona-1]

You should have had a blood test six weeks after starting the 75 mcg, and the dose increased by 25 mcg. You doctor does not know how to treat hypo patients. She is guilty of neglect. Do make sure you have another retest in four weeks time.