DIO2 gene test advice regarding T4/T3 levels

[KazLS]

Hi there, I'm new and I would like some advice on whether it would be a good idea to take the DIO2 gene test. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos 2 years ago with TSH of 89.2 and TP antibody result 1503. My latest result are TSH .4 (.25-5.5) FT4 21 (10-24.5) &FT3 3.8 (3.1-6.8) and I am currently taking 75mcg Thyroxine daily. My latest cholesterol results are Serum 7.5, HDL 2.2, LDL 5.3 and ratio 3.4. Would the addition of synthetic T3 help reduce my cholesterol level down ? Are my current T4/T3 levels acceptable or would it be a good idea to take the gene test? I have constant indigestion and my GP has prescribed Lansoprazole - I understand low stomach acid is a problem with Hashimotos- is a good idea to take this or is there a better option? Many thanks for your help

[Lalatoot]

I wouldn't take the lansoprazole until you are certain that you have too much stomach acid. It is common for hypos to have too little stomach acid - the symptoms are similar - and you need to take acid vinegar or similar. Anti acid medicine would make matters worse.

Your Ft 3 level is low in range and needs to be higher really. Your Ft4 is high in range so yes you need to consider taking T3 as you have conversion issues.

This is assuming that you left 24 hours between your last dose of thyroxine and the blood test.

[KazLS in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you for your advice😊.Actually I didn't leave it 24 hours-I wasn't aware of that!I take my thyroxine at 7.30am and had the blood test 3 or 4 hours later.Does that make a difference to the results?

[Lalatoot in reply to KazLS]

Yes it means that your Ft4 result is higher. It means that you have room to increase your thyroxine dose as your FT4 isn't as high as the results show. A dose increase would be my next step anyway.

[KazLS in reply to Lalatoot]

That's interesting as my GP suggested reducing my thyroxine down to 75/50 alternate days as my TSH level was at bottom of the range!Does that mean the timing of the meds/blood test affect the T3 level as well and it could actually be lower than 3.8?Thank you for your advice- really appreciated 😊

[Lalatoot in reply to KazLS]

Not sure about the effect on Ft3 level. Tsh is not as important as medics think. Tsh is not a thyroid hormone. What is important are the Ft3 and ft4 levels.

[KazLS in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you for your help😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and coeliac 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)

Your Ft4 result is false high having taken levothyroxine before blood test

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 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

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

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

come back with new post once you get vitamin results

[KazLS in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for this!I will look at getting vitamins tested privately and my tsh/ft4/ft3 redone- probably privately again as my surgery only tests once per year.Is it worth getting the Dio2 Gene test as well?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to KazLS]

One thing at a time perhaps.......

I found it helpful......I am heterozygous Dio2 positive

[KazLS in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your help- I have much to learn!

[Ari3]

Hi there personally I would do the test ..I did just because I didn’t know I wouldn’t convert well from t4 to t3 and Only t4 medication made me more and more sick ... till I heard about this test and it said that it would be better to add t3 . Now Iam on ndt and feeling good

[KazLS in reply to Ari3]

Thank you-that it really helpful.It seems that it is better to know and then go to your GP with as much information as you can obtain.

[Ari3 in reply to KazLS]

I did this test private for £145 gp won’t do this test.its difficult with doctors here in uk they don’t treat us like we must be treated sadly.

[KazLS in reply to Ari3]

Did you use regeneris?

[Ari3 in reply to KazLS]

Yes I think so

[KazLS in reply to Ari3]

Thank you- I will have a look on their website😊.

[carriegod]

I had the gene test recently, not available on the nhs (outrageous) I paid for it, and results sent to my endocrinologist, it proved I cannot convert T4 to the active T3, it's taken 16 years to get to where I am now!!! I've finally had T3 added to my T4, within days felt so much brighter.

It sometimes takes feeling better to know how bad you felt before!!

I've been reminded by the GP surgery, the reception staff, the pharmacist as to how expensive T3 is because it's not licensed in the UK. It's the only thing I take!! and I certainly won't waste it like so many prescription medicines!!

I used to have a bit of an acid issue, I changed my diet and took apple cider vinegar and some bicarb, this really helped. The drugs that lower stomach acid can cause other issues and are meant for short term use. I'd avoid if you can. Good luck

[KazLS in reply to carriegod]

Thank you so much for that.I think I will take the gene test- and yes isn't it terrible that we have to do our own research and pay for our tests privately!I will hold off taking the lansoprazole!I have a referral see a dietician so it will be interesting to get their view🙂