Help with results pls: I was diagnosed... - Thyroid UK

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Help with results pls

Kellyjan profile image
13 Replies

I was diagnosed hypothyroid in 2011 and have never really felt well since.since looking on this site I’m wondering if my T4 and T3 are to low? I take NP thyroid(natural dedicated) of 1 and a half grains.

I’ve had vitamins and hormones tested and they are all well in range.This is my latest blood results

TSH 0.03 (0.35 - 4.50)

Free T3. 5 (3.50 - 6.50)

Free T4. 11.3 (10.00 - 18.70)

Any thoughts or ideas would be gratefully appreciated x

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Kellyjan profile image
Kellyjan
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13 Replies
crw2ddd profile image
crw2ddd

I'm interested to hear the responses here. I take about the same amount as you and I have never felt well either. Sometimes I feel as bad as I did when I was diagnosed and I was TSH was over 100. Now my TSH is .6 and I daily body aches and pain and gritty eyes and some nerve issues too (which I didn't have upon diagnosis). It's your t3 might need a bit of a boost as it right in the middle and some report on here they need it in top 75% You also might be one of those people that needs a little more t4, as yours is right near the bottom. I'm no expert though and I'm still struggling myself. My endo recently told me to look for other causes besides the thyroid to explain my symptoms. People also like you post your latest ferritin B12 folate and vitamin D with ranges for a better picture

Kellyjan profile image
Kellyjan in reply to crw2ddd

Thank you for replying.

Could I take anymore NDT though I thought my TSH was quite low.would it make me hyper? VIT D 25-OH 104 (50.00-374.00) I’ll post other results as soon as I can work out which are which I’ve had so many done.

Kelly x

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Kellyjan

A low TSH does not make you hyper. Nor does it indicate being hyper. Once you are taking T3 the TSH is irrelevant. It is low because you don't need it anymore. And, it doesn't matter how low it goes. So, if I were you, I would increase your NDT by 1/4 grain to start with, and see how you feel. That should bring up both your FT3 and your FT4. :)

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Kellyjan

For any thyroid hormone to work properly, we need optimal nutrient levels, so what are your current levels for

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Are you taking any supplements?

When did you take your last dose of NDT before this latest test?

Kellyjan profile image
Kellyjan in reply to SeasideSusie

I have taken Nutri adrenal extra as Dr Peatfield thought I had some adrenal fatigue in 2012/13 also Thyro complex and co q10.

I don’t take any thyroid tablets 24 hours befor a test.

I don’t eat gluten and have a very healthy diet (I admit only because I feel so rubbish)

Will post results as soon as I find them.Thank you for replying x

Kellyjan profile image
Kellyjan in reply to Kellyjan

I also read on STTM that very few people take less than 2 grains of NDT. I take 1 & 1/2 Anyone else heard of this? x

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Kellyjan

I don’t take any thyroid tablets 24 hours befor a test.

In that case you have false low results for FT4 and FT3. Leaving 24 hours between last dose of Levo and blood draw is correct, but for NDT and T3 it is 8-12 hours.

Why Thyro Complex? It contains iodine and unless tested and found to be deficient we shouldn't supplement with iodine. Iodine used to be used to treat hypERthyroidism and can hypOthyroidism worse. Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) confirmed by raised antibodies, if you do then iodine definitely shouldn't be taken. ThyroComplex also contains licorice root which can raise cortisol levels, which may or may not be a good idea considering you also take NAX.

Kellyjan profile image
Kellyjan in reply to SeasideSusie

I take my thyroid tablets about 9am so if I have a blood test I’ll book it for 9am and take my tablets straight after.

I will have them retested I had no idea it was less time for NDT thank you.

I have thyroid peroxidise antibodies which were 1300 in 2012. Apparently you need another anti body for it to be Hashimoto? Is that correct? My doctor doesn’t seem much help unfortunately.

I was seeing Dr Peatfield befor he stopped work and he recommended I take NAX as he thought I had some adrenal fatigue.he also recommended the thyro complex and CO Q10

Kelly x

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Kellyjan

I take my thyroid tablets about 9am so if I have a blood test I’ll book it for 9am and take my tablets straight after.

I will have them retested I had no idea it was less time for NDT thank you.

What you have written there means that there will be 24 hours between your last dose of NDT and the test. You need to adjust the timing of your NDT the day before so that your last dose is 8-12 hours before the test.

I have thyroid peroxidise antibodies which were 1300 in 2012. Apparently you need another anti body for it to be Hashimoto? Is that correct? My doctor doesn’t seem much help unfortunately.

No. Raised TPO antibodies at that level would confirm Hashi's. See under Tests:

labtestsonline.org.uk/condi...

Additional tests may be used to detect autoantibodies directed against the thyroid and to help diagnose Hashimoto thyroiditis:

•Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO, see Thyroid Antibodies) — this test detects the presence of autoantibodies against a protein found in thyroid cells. A high value usually indicates autoimmune damage to the thyroid due to disorders such as Hashimoto thyroiditis and Graves disease.

•Antithyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) — if positive, may indicate Hashimoto thyroiditis; while thyroglobulin antibodies are often positive, they are not as sensitive or specific as anti-TPO so they are not routinely ordered.

People with a very mild form of Hashimoto thyroiditis may not have thyroid antibodies present in their blood.

and under An antibody test.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

Because Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder, the cause involves production of abnormal antibodies. A blood test may confirm the presence of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO antibodies), an enzyme normally found in the thyroid gland that plays an important role in the production of thyroid hormones.

and under Anti-thyroid Antibodies Tests

endocrineweb.com/conditions...

Anti-thyroid antibodies (ATA) tests, such as the microsomal antibody test (also known as thyroid peroxidase antibody test) and the anti-thyroglobulin antibody test, are commonly used to detect the presence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Raised thyroglobulin antibodies alone may not confirm Hashi's as they can be raised with other conditions, but raised thyroid peroxidase antibodies alone generally confirm Hashi's and yours were very high.

Most doctors dismiss antibodies as being of no importance and know little or nothing about Hashi's and how it affects the patient, test results and symptoms. You need to read, learn, understand and help yourself where Hashi's is concerned.

Some members have found that adopting a strict gluten free diet can help, although there is no guarantee.

Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks.

You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies so it's essential to test

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Kellyjan profile image
Kellyjan in reply to SeasideSusie

Wow I have learnt more today than in years of visiting my doctor! I will make appointments for some up to date tests and put up results.

Thankyou for all your information and patience!

I will get reading Xx

Kellyjan profile image
Kellyjan in reply to Kellyjan

Can anyone recommend where to get blood tests and cortisol tests from?

Thanks Kelly

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply to Kellyjan

This link lists several companies that do various kinds of private testing without involving doctors.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Note that the companies often offer some form of feedback written by a doctor although sometimes you can opt out. Be aware that the doctors writing these feedback reports follow the same guidelines as the NHS, so don't expect anything different from the blurb you would get from a GP or endocrinologist. You can ask us for feedback too, although nobody on this forum should be assumed to have any medical training.

If you want advice on what test(s) to buy create a new thread and ask.

Also note that Medichecks is having a summer sale from today until midnight on the 29th July.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Kellyjan profile image
Kellyjan in reply to humanbean

That’s really helpful thank you😊

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