My follow up blood tests, what do they show? - Thyroid UK

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My follow up blood tests, what do they show?

Lovehelp profile image
15 Replies

Hi all, thanks for so many replies to my post on my first blood test results, which were:

T4 83.3 ( 10.30 - 24.50)

T3 25.4 ( 3.50 - 6.50

TSH 0.01 ( 0.30 - 5.50)

My second bloods were:

T4 97.4 ( 10.3 - 24.5)

FT3 - 26.2 ( 3.5 - 6.5)

TSH 0.01 ( 0.30 - 5.50)

My third bloods - last Friday are:

T4 8.5 ( 10.3 - 24.5)

T3 4.0 ( 3.5 - 6.5)

TSH 0.01 ( 0.30 - 5.50)

Can anyone share thoughts with me please, I have not dicussed these results yet with my doctor, I am waiting for my referral to an endorinologist.

I have not taken any meds yet, just alternatives, herbs and homeopathy. I will try to decide whether to take them after that meeting.

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Lovehelp
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15 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

This dramatic reduction in levels suggests Hashimoto's flare and not Graves' disease

Hashimoto's frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid flares as thyroid cells breakdown and release excess hormones

You need all antibodies tested

TPO and TG antibodies can be high with Hashimoto's or Graves' disease

High TSI or TRab antibodies would confirm Graves' disease

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

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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

For thyroid including TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

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

Rare that GP can order TSI or TRab antibodies tested. May have to wait until see endocrinologist

Private testing for suspected Graves - TSI or TRab antibodies

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

What exactly have you been taking.....you're results are now heading to hypothyroidism

Lovehelp profile image
Lovehelp in reply toSlowDragon

I have been drinking herb tea of:Bugleweed, Nettles, Valerian, and yarrow.

Taking ticture of : skullcap,oat and passionflower. And a constitutional homepathic remedy, Nux vomica

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLovehelp

Well it will be very interesting to see if the herbal mix has caused this dramatic drop in levels or it was Hashimoto's swing .....

Keep us up to date on developments

Angel20 profile image
Angel20 in reply toLovehelp

Give yourself a break from the herbs and see what happens. At least you will know for definite whether you have Graves Disease or Hashimoto's. In my opinion you are taking far too many herbs, the proof of the pudding is when you stop them.

jimh111 profile image
jimh111

These are extraordinary results. Over a very short period of a month? It's most unusual for thyroid levels to change this dramatically so quickly. For example, an fT4 of 80 would drop to 10 after three weeks IF there was no secretion from the thyroid.

Your doctor should check your signs and symptoms to see if they suggest you are hyper or hypo. It is just possible that you have thyroiditis but your TPO antibodies were normal, presumably TBG were not measured.

fT4 8.5, fT3 4.0 looks a bit tidy to the result of thyroiditis. It's possible they got your blood test results mixed up with another patient, this is rare but a possibility. It's also possible that you are taking something that is interfering with the blood tests. Can you give us a list of the 'alternatives, herbs and homeopathy' you are taking.

If your hormone levels are jumping around like this your doctor should ask the endocrinologist for an urgent consultation as your care will be too complicated for a GP.

Lovehelp profile image
Lovehelp in reply tojimh111

can you see the reply to slow dragon I have listed the herbs/remedy there.

I am alos taking vitamins:

C/B/L-Theanine/Nutri Adrenal concentrate

jimh111 profile image
jimh111 in reply toLovehelp

I would wean yourself off these supplements. I'm not familar with them but a quick search suggests some are supposed to treat hyperthryoidism and some treat hypothyroidism. It's certainly possible herbal remedies will have a profound effect, for example opium which is used in the morphine and other forms as powerful pain killers. The problem with drugs classified as 'supplements' is that they do not go through the extensive testing and quality control that a formal drug has to go through. 'Drugs' and 'supplements' are basically the same thing except the former is regulated and controlled. It is true that many supplements have mild actons and so are intrinsically safer but this is not always so.

It is possible that some supplements may reduce the effects of autoimmune conditions. In your case this could be investigated by measuring your antibodies whilst you are not taking the supplements and when you are taking them. In which case you would need to persuade your doctor to measure all antibodies TPO, TRB, TRAb now and after you have been off all the supplemts for some time. It would be difficult to persuade a doctor to do this.

Whatever course of action you want to take I would urge you to let your doctor know what you are taking and how you feel, what your symptoms are. This is a difficult case and the doctors need all the information so they don't make wrong assumptions. They should certainly check your hormone levels again and perhaps ask the biochemist if they have any explanation for these strange results.

Lovehelp profile image
Lovehelp in reply tojimh111

Thanks for your reply. I agree, I will gradually cut back on the supplements and herbs. I actually feel almost 'normal' now. I am seeing my GP tomorrow and will request bloods with a 2 or 3 week gap. I thought I would see an endrocrinologist soon, but on reading on this site, it seems I may need to wait months!

jimh111 profile image
jimh111 in reply toLovehelp

It's just possible, although most unlikely, that you hit on a way of preventing antibody attacks or reducing antibodies. This would stop the antibodies attacking your thyroid but it would take some time for TSH to recover (if it does). Consequently, you would get the sort of results we see now, low fT3, low fT4 low TSH. TSH would recover somewhat and bring up fT3 and fT4.

If your doctor offers another blood test now I would take it. If your hormone levels are still low they should offer treatment as you don't want to remain hypothyroid. You could then gradually wind down the supplements which will benefit your pocket.

The above scenario is most unlikely but it would be a shame to miss it. If this was happening you would again go hyperthyroid when off the supplements. I can't see any other way of finding out. More likely is an error in the blood test or a one off attack of thyroiditis. Another blood test with TSH, fT3, fT4 and TPO, TBG and TRAb antibodies would be the best way forward to get a better understanding. If your doctor is reluctant to do this point out how high your hormone levels were and the associated dangers.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

I agree with the other replies, which confirms why it's essential to have the Graves antibodies tested to confirm the diagnosis before starting Carbimazole as pointed out in reply to your previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Insist on TSI and TRAb antibodies being tested before agreeing to take Carbimazole.

elderflower2016 profile image
elderflower2016

Well you definitely do not need the carbimazole now from your 3rd set of results. I am also astounded by the sudden swing. You were clearly hyperthyroid in the first 2 set of results, and now heading towards being hypo.

I would pause on the supplements/homepathic medicine for the time being in case they caused this sudden decrease (which I find amazing) and ask for a re-test.

Angel20 profile image
Angel20

Your TSH is still very low just like mine is 0.01 and I have Graves Disease

Angel20 profile image
Angel20

Well I am pleased you have found a formulae that works for you. However I was given the impression that you were taking bugleweed only. Now there seems to be a handful of other herbs that perhaps have contributed to lower T4 and T3 but your TSH is still low and indicates Graves Disease. Others have suggested that you are moving towards Hashimoto's it can be very possible because if you combine Bugleweed and Acetyl l-carnitine too much can make you hypo but not necessarily Hashimoto's. It depends on your symptoms you had before taking your herbs. I wish you well and if this is true that these herbs really work then perhaps Carbimazole can be eliminated in the future for all Graves Disease suffers. Keep us posted.

Angel20 profile image
Angel20

I checked out your supplements and herbs although very helpful to aid sleep, anxiety, decrease stress, to help the nervous system, reduce inflammation etc. Bugleweed is the herb that has decreased your T4 and T3 the other herbs have nothing much to do with the Thyroid.

Lovehelp profile image
Lovehelp

Thanks for your reply. I have stopped the Bugleweed tea now, I am going to see how I feel and have bloods checked again in about 2/3 weeks. I feel almost normal at the moment!

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