Hi all, I'm new here and newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism/graves. I've just received my results from a test at my referral appointment with endo. It was taken at 3.40pm. Could someone kindly interpret them for me? They also tested Urea & electrolytes, lipid profile and a full blood count. Not sure if that's usual?
Many thanks in advance
Well, to be honest, that doesn't look like Grave's. Antibodies are negative. FT4 and FT3 are over-range, but not really high enough to be Grave's. On what did they base the diagnosis?
Thanks for replying. Diagnosis was purely on the blood tests and notes say eyes revealed mild proptosis (even though they look no different to me or my family).
Treatment is 20mg Carbi and 40mg x 3 of propranolol .
Thanks for any help
Forgot to mention diagnosis has a ? next to graves.
I'll definitely ask for clarification at my next appointment.
OK, right. Well, to clear up that question mark, they need to test Grave's antibodies: TRAB or TSI. I've no idea what they mean by 'Abbott Thyroid Abs' but if it's the 'anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies' that is a test for Hashi's, not Grave's. Trouble is, doctors just don't seem to know the difference, so you must insist on the right ones being tested for.
The Hashi's antibody test is negative, it seems, but that doesn't rule out Hashi's. You can still have it even without ever having high TPO antibodies. It's possible that you have high Tg antibodies, but the NHS won't test for that.
Carbi is a treatment for Grave's. It is not an appropriate treatment for Hashi's.
Thank you so much for replying. That totally makes sense and I will go armed with questions to my next appointment. This is such a minefield and so confusing. I appreciate your advice.
You're welcome. 
Forgot to add, your FT4 and FT3 levels are typical of a Hashi's 'hyper' swing. But, that's not 'hyper' in the true sense of the word, because the thyroid is not over-active, just under attack.
Gosh it's all so overwhelming and not straight forward. I'm trying to read up as much on this site as there's so much info to take in. I've made notes so will be armed with my notebook at the next appointment.
Good luck. Let us know how you get on.
What are your main symptoms?
Do you feel hypothyroid or hyperthyroid?
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested for Hashimoto's (or Graves)
Private testing for suspected Graves - TSI or TRab antibodies
medichecks.com/thyroid-func...
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)
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
If TPO or TG antibodies are high this is most likely Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.
Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's or Graves. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten.
So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once . Plus TSI or TRab antibodies tested if Graves is suspected
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...
Link about antibodies
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
Hello, thank you for your comprehensive response. It's great to get so much info on here from others.
Here's the thing, I actually feel great with loads of energy since I've lost 10kg over a year, and I've been exercising daily.
It was a chance comment from an emergency gp who mentioned my eyes (even though they look the same).
The few symptoms I have were I thought due to menopause which I've read are similar, but generally I feel great. It's weird.
Hi Brown,
First, I am so sorry about your diagnosis. Hyperthyroidism is a serious condition. As mentioned by others, you should get confirmation of an autoimmune disease whether it is Graves or Hashimoto's. You may not have an autoimmune disease.
I remember that feeling of energy and invincibility in the early days of my hyperthyroidism many years ago before my serious symptoms began finally culminating with Graves 2 years ago. I’d like to share my personal experience with you - hopefully to save you the grief of what happened to me.
When a person has hyperthyroidism, they may actually feel great early on because they are on a thyroxine high. They will outperform everybody. Their body is producing more thyroxine than they need, and in the very beginning, they can't believe that they have all that energy. It is weird as you say, and very paradoxical. How can a person feel good if they are sick?
So here goes - I was a dynamo at work. I was producing more than anybody at my office. I was on a high. I was the thinnest I had been in my life - and looked great. I was 27 years old in my first career with a large corporation. I just kept going like the Energizer bunny. I loved feeling all that energy!
Here’s what happened to me once I was actually formally diagnosed at the age of 38 in my second and different career. I am NOT saying this will happen to you, I am only sharing my personal experience.
I developed panic attacks, which I attributed to stress at work. I would race around like a crazy person and then collapse in exhaustion, breathless and unable to function. My neck became swollen as I developed a goiter and nodules on my thyroid from the overproduction of thyroxine. Thanks to an observant MD , I was sent to a specialist who diagnosed my condition. Fast forward to 23 years later, I developed Graves’ disease, and after two years of remission, needed a TT.
There are lifestyle changes that you can make to manage your disease. You can not prevent it but you can manage it. I wish I had known then what I know now. But I was young and happy to have all that energy and had never heard of thyroid disease.
And you may not see the changes in your eyes, but the change is visible to a medical professional who is clued in . Please don’t dismiss the observation - he may be seeing an early stage of something and you are lucky he is observant. I did not develop eye problems myself.
I tell you of my experience because if you are aware of the consequences of a disease, you can manage it and hopefully live a good life in spite of it. Please believe me, I am not sharing this with you to frighten you or make you feel bad. That is the last thing I would ever want to do.
I wish someone had told me what could happen early on in my disease. My doctors would tell me in a casual way: you need to take it easier - slow down and rest more. I thought: what do they know - I feel great and I thought I knew better. I wish I had listened to that advice.
I wish you all the best and send you positive thoughts and good energy your way today. I hope you have good results from your blood work . Please keep us posted on your progress.
Hello Greekchick
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I can completely understand why you wanted to make me aware. I'm just happy to get as much information and advice as possible at the moment. It is really appreciated
I'm just trying to get my head around it all. My plan is to go to my 2nd appointment with questions, then I'll be able to go on to take further tests which the NHS won't provide.
Take care
new blood results 
New Blood Results
New blood results 
New blood results 
