Blood Test Results - Analysis

[OptimisticPrime]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for some advice on my blood test results from letsgetchecked.com - see below.

T4 110nmol/L (ref 59-154)

TSH 2.38 mlU/L (ref 0.27-4.2)

FT4 16.3pmol/l (ref 12-22)

T3 5.3pmol/L (ref 3.1-6.8)

TPEX 71.7lU/ml (ref 0-34)

TGAB 154lU/ml (ref 0-115)

Symptoms: I have been suffering from chronic fatigue for 8 years, previous thyroid tests have come back all normal in the past but TSH was high-normal. I also have exercise intolerance, "brain fog", poor memory, all the usual symptoms that seem to go with CFS.

Other info: I am 31-year-old male, average height, 70 kg so "ideal" weight according to BMI, not had any issues with weight gain.

Lately, I have noticed some symptoms specific to hypothyroidism which is why I got the tests done: dry & itchy scalp, neck pain (right side usually), and thinning outer eyebrows.

Any advice on what these results could indicate, and what further tests, and/or treatment could be required would be great.

Thanks for reading.

Jason

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Optimistic-Prime

T4 110nmol/L (ref 59-154)

TSH 2.38 mlU/L (ref 0.27-4.2)

FT4 16.3pmol/l (ref 12-22)

T3 5.3pmol/L (ref 3.1-6.8)

These are all within range therefore classed as euthyroid (normal). Most normal healthy people would have a TSH of no more than 2-ish with FT4 about mid-range.

TPEX 71.7lU/ml (ref 0-34)

TGAB 154lU/ml (ref 0-115)

Your antibodies are over range therefore positive for autoimmune thyroid disease, aka Hashimoto's which is where the thyroid is attacked and gradually destroyed. It would seem that your thyroid hasn't yet been affected enough to cause hypothyroid results, especially not with this test.

Fluctuations in symptoms and test results are common with Hashi's.

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 is said to 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 which bring their own symptoms, sometimes they overlap with symptoms of hypothyroidism. It's essential to test Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin and address any problems. You are welcome to post these results, including reference ranges (plus units of measurement for Vit D and B12), for comment and suggestions for supplementing where necessary..

I have no experience of letsgetchecked.com, only Medichecks and Blue Horizon. Did you have any vitamins checked with this test? Medichecks and Blue Horizon have a test bundle which includes all those thyroid tests plus all those nutrient tests. This is often the cheapest way to get nutrients tested.

[OptimisticPrime in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeasideSusie,

Thanks for the detailed response!

Is it possible that the antibodies alone could cause my symptoms without putting my hormone levels outside normal range?

I have had vitamins checked last year when I had thyroid tests with Thriva, all were normal at the time, but I will get these redone.

I have given these results to my GP, is there anything I should ask for specifically from my GP, referral, medication, etc.?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to OptimisticPrime]

You may not yet have hypothyroid results but your TSH is definitely on the way, in some countries hypothyroidism is diagnosed when TSH reaches 3.

You can certainly have symptoms before your results confirm it.

You won't get any thyroid hormone replacement until your TSH goes over range along with positive antibody result.

I very much doubt that a GP will agree to a referral to an endocrinologist with those results, and an endocrinologist would very likely refuse to see you anyway because your results are in range.

The best thing you can do is post your new vitamin results, with their reference ranges, when you have them and if any need addressing comments and suggestions will be made.

Other than that, follow the suggestions above and read as much as you can about Hashi's so that you can help yourself.