So my daughter had her bloods done last week they failed to do ft4 which is annoying but others
Tsh0.01. (0.35-5.5)
Ft3 6.6 (3.5-6.5)
She had bloods at 4 pm and did not take thyroid tablet they saying she should reduce dose but she doesnt want to as doesnt feel over medicated .Her last bloods she hd took was again at 4pm i know not a good time bit only tome we could go and this time shes took her tablet a few hours before
Tsh 0.01(0.35-5.5)
Ft3 6.2 (3.5-6.5)
Ft4 19 (9-16)
The results were pretty much similar !
Can we argue why results for tsh verg low?
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jwoodward5
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Who doesn't think she has it? Her doctor? Why doesn't he just test for it and find out? She needs her TPO antibodies tested.
Although, I have to say, a negative result for antibodies is not conclusive, because antibodies fluctuate all the time, and you would need several tests to be sure. Even then, you can have Hashi's without ever having raised antibodies. But, a sure sign of having it is when blood levels appear to jump around independantly of the dose. And seeing someone with an FT3 over the top of the range on just 100 mcg levo should make anyone suspicious. Could very well be that she's coming down from a Hashi's 'hyper' swing.
One word of caution, doctors in the UK do not call it Hashi's. They call it Autoimmune Thyroiditis - which it is, of course, but why they found it necessary to change the name when the rest of the world calls it Hashi's, is anyone's guess. He probably has no idea what 'Hash's' is.
There's not much you can actually do about Hashi's, there's no cure, but it's good to know because it explains strange blood test results. Do you know how Hashi's works?
One negative TPOab test cannot completely rule out Hashi's, as I explained above. Could she ask for an ultrasound of her thyroid, that might give some clues?
Not sure how hashi works no . She has previuosly had an ultrasound of thyroid it showed nothing even though she has a lump in that area they said just fatty tissue
OK, so Hashi's is an autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks and slowly destroys the thyroid.
After every attack, the dying cells release their stock of thyroid hormone into the blood stream, causing the levels of the Frees to shoot up - FT4 to around 30/40 something, FT3 around 11/12 - and the TSH therefore drops to suppressed.
There is no knowing how long these high levels will persist, but eventually, they will drop by themselves as the excess hormone is used up or excreted, and not only will you become hypo again, but slightly more hypo than before, because there is now less thyroid to make hormone.
Therefore, it's very important that your doctor does not reduce your prescription, because you’re going to need it again! If you start to feel over-medicated at that point - some do, some don't - the best thing is to stop levo for a few days, then, when you feel hypo again, start taking it again. It's very important to know one's body, and how it reacts.
There is no cure for Hashi's - which is probably one of the reasons that doctors ignore it - apart from the fact that they know nothing about it, of course!
However, between the 'hyper' swing, and the descent back into hypothyroidism, there can be a phase - quite a long one, sometimes - of normality, where the person is neither hypo nor 'hyper'. This is where people sometimes start talking of having 'cured' their Hashi's, by whatever means. But, it doesn't last. Eventually, you will go hypo again.
But, there are things the patient can do for him/herself to help them feel a bit better.
a) adopt a 100% gluten-free diet. Hashi's people are often sensitive to gluten, even if they don't have Coeliac disease, so stopping it can make them feel much better. Worth a try.
b) take selenium. This can help with conversion of T4 to T3 - something that Hashi's people often find difficult.
c) the best way to even out the swings from hypo to 'hyper' (often called Hashi's Flares, but that doesn't really sum up the way it works) is to keep the TSH suppressed. This is difficult because doctors are terrified by a suppressed TSH, for various false reasons, and because they don't understand the workings of Hashi's. But, TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (a pituitary hormone) - tries to stimulate the thyroid to make more hormone, but it also stimulates the immune system to attack. So, the less gland activity there is, the less immune system activity there will be, meaning less attacks, gland destruction slowed down and less swinging from hypo to hyper and back.
She is dairy wheat yeast and lactose free as intolerant her ferritin is over the highest range but docs say fine magnesium also at top end of range . Last time b12 vit d midrange . She didnt like teva so on levo 100mg activis
B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast
Igennus Super B complex are nice small tablets. Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks
Or Thorne Basic B or jarrow B-right are other options that contain folate, but both are large capsules
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
But it's very important to have all four vitamin levels optimal. This helps improve the way thyroid hormones are used. Meaning she's less likely to get dose Levothyroxine reduced
If vitamin levels are low TSH tends to drop and GP starts hassling to reduce Levothyroxine
Would recommend getting both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested privately plus TSH, FT3 and FT4 (and vitamins if GP won't test)
Important to get blood test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test
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)
Recommend she gets full Thyroid and vitamin testing at correct timing .....privately if necessary
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies
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
Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )
So she should get full Thyroid and vitamin testing early morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test
If taking any supplements that contain biotin (eg vitamin B complex) she should stop these a week before any blood tests. Biotin can falsely affect test results
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