I have now received a hard copy my blood tests results from September when I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and my recent tests.
Can anyone help me make sense of it?
After speaking with doctor again today I’ve been advised to reduce my daily tablet to 6 days a week with one day break as it appears my level is slightly over in my recent tests? Someone did say to me about false readings depending on when I take tablet and get my bloods taken so hoping it isn’t a false reading?
Not sure if it’s relevant but on second page which I couldn’t add as another photo has ‘serum c reactive protein level <4 mg/l 0.00-6.00mg/l
Thanks!
Written by
Bubble214
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Your TPO antibodies are high confirming that cause of your hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's
TSH 0.99 is within range
FT4 20.8 also within range (just)
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?
Ferritin is low at 44.3
Eating liver or liver pate once a week, plus other iron rich foods like black pudding, prawns, spinach, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
You need vitamin D, folate and B12 tested
Hashimoto's frequently affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone
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
Vitamin D deficiency is frequent in Hashimoto's thyroiditis and treatment of patients with this condition with Vitamin D may slow down the course of development of hypothyroidism and also decrease cardiovascular risks in these patients. Vitamin D measurement and replacement may be critical in these patients.
Evidence of a link between increased level of antithyroid antibodies in hypothyroid patients with HT and 25OHD3 deficiency may suggest that this group is particularly prone to the vitamin D deficiency and can benefit from its alignment.
There is a high (approx 40%) prevalence of B12 deficiency in hypothyroid patients. Traditional symptoms are not a good guide to determining presence of B12 deficiency. Screening for vitamin B12 levels should be undertaken in all hypothyroid patients, irrespective of their thyroid antibody status. Replacement of B12 leads to improvement in symptoms,
Ask GP to test vitamin D, folate and B12 and coeliac blood test.
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
Recommend you do this BEFORE considering lowering Levothyroxine
Thank you very much for your helpful information and advice.
I actually took my tablet as normal in the morning and had my blood test at 5pm that evening, so next time I will ensure to do as recommended.
What is deemed normal ferritin level do you know? Bit concerned my doctor hasn’t mentioned this.
I have noted down the other tests you recommended and will request from my doctor — again thank you! I will not be surprised if I do have coeliac as I do experience a lot of abdominal pain and bloating etc. So will be interesting to find out especially if it’s linked to Hashimoto’s.
In relation to the antibodies, they seem very high or is that normal for Hashimoto’s? Will they eventually reduce? Does it mean my body is still fighting my thyroid/ something ?
You replied to yourself rather than to me (easily done) so I wasn't alerted
Your antibodies are fairly high....but number of antibodies doesn't signify the extent of disease. You might have high levels and feel better than someone with low levels
Many people find that strictly gluten free diet can very slowly lower TPO antibodies, others find they feel better, but antibodies still remain high
Only 5% are coeliac, but over 80% find strictly gluten free diet helps often very significantly. As you already have gut symptoms it's very likely to help. Get coeliac test FIRST
As test was done in afternoon and Levothyroxine not long beforehand, you really don't need to reduce dose of Levothyroxine.
You will most likely need next dose increase at next test
Ferritin is within range so GP won't consider it low
Same with vitamin D, folate, B12
But on Levothyroxine we need vitamin levels optimal
Vitamin D at least around 80nmol and around 100nmol is often better
B12 and folate near top of range
Ferritin at least half way in range. Iron and ferritin are complex. GP has done full iron panel test and iron levels are all ok
But you can help improve low ferritin by diet
You will see thousands of posts on here about low vitamin levels
Oops still new to this! Thanks for the advice will 100% note this all down, it really does help knowing people are out there helping others and providing that extra bit of support which is sometimes needed.
I’ve seen a lot of the word ‘brain fog’ around when researching about Hashimoto’s, I really do struggle at work with my concentration and seem to keep forgetting a lot having to keep giving myself reminders etc! So this must be brain fog right? Does it get better? Can I do anything to help?
My full story on my profile. For me the key was gluten intolerance (not coeliac) yet had zero gut symptoms.....brain fog slowly lifted about 9-12 months after cutting gluten.
Getting vitamins optimal can significantly improve symptoms too
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Blood test results help
Blood Results - help please 
Help with recent blood results
Help With Blood Test Results
Help with blood results !!
