Blood test results - and lichen sclerosus!

[Denise133]

Hi all, I posted a few days ago about my latest diagnosis of Lichen Sclerosus. I've been on Thyroxine for a couple of years now (75mg). I’ve been unwell and docs have said I have Lichen sclerosis in my genital area. It’s horrifically uncomfortable and makes me feel so unwell. I believe this is anther auto-immune disease.

Just got the following results back and wondered if anyone can shed any light on them for me? Docs say they are all in range and okay.

TSH: 0.91 (0.27 - 4.2)

T4: 17.8 (12. - 22.

Serum Ferritin: 30.28 (15.0 - 150)

I am now using a steroid cream cream on my genital area which has 'calmed' the area slightly and reduced the stomach pain.

Thanks in advance for any advice or help x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

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

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you did the test?

Just testing TSH and FT4 is completely inadequate

You need TSH, FT3 and FT4 tested together

FT4 is only 58% through range so you probably need dose increase

Helpful calculator for working out % through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

Ferritin is low. Has GP done full iron panel test for Anaemia?

you also need vitamin D, folate and B12 tested

Have these been tested at all?

Of recently?

What vitamin supplements do you currently take?

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

This can help significantly improve Hashimoto's symptoms

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

Gluten also implicated in lichen planus

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/296...

The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/300...

The obtained results suggest that the gluten-free diet may bring clinical benefits to women with autoimmune thyroid disease

nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...

In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned

[Hashi-hacker]

Hi, maybe this article might be useful to you thepaleomom.com/you-may-hav...

x

[MariLiz]

I have been seeing a dermatologist for the same problem for some time now. In fact my next follow up appointment should have been in September.

I too have been given a steroid cream to use, plus a special cream to wash with (Aqua Max). I still need to continue using these creams, but the steroid one less frequently now. I do find the problem seems to flare if I’m overtired or stressed. I also am better if keep to a low sugar diet.

I sympathise with you completely, it is a most unpleasant and uncomfortable condition.