Test results - confused !

[Elsa1509]

I would be grateful for any comments on my recent Medichecks blood test results ( early morning and fasting).

Am so confused as to why my symptoms don’t match my results - feeling more hyper then hypo (average morning temp for weeks is 37.4, heart rate up to 140 some mornings, some weight loss, irritability, panic attacks, joint pain, muscle weakness and tachycardia). I am due an ablation for the tachycardia in the Spring. No infection or illness to explain morning temp.

Brief background - I have Hashimotos diagnosed in 2014 with very high antibodies TPO and TgAb and multi nodular thyroid gland.

On no medication at all (can’t tolerate heart meds)

B12, folate and Vit D is always top of range.

I really don’t know what’s wrong with me as these results suggest hypo! 😩

TSH 1.31 (0.27 - 4.2)

FT4 13.9 (12 - 22)

FT3 3.83 (3.1 - 6.8)

Thank you 🙏

[Lalatoot]

I have been hyper and after RAI I am now hypo. I can say from experience that hypo and hyper symptoms can be exactly the same.

[Elsa1509 in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you Lalatoot. I just didn’t think you could have a high morning temp and be more hypo than hyper! It seems to go against the Broda temperature concept. I took the blood test as I was convinced I was a bit hyper. I have also had an NHS blood test yesterday (so two days after my Medichecks) and will get the print out tomorrow as my GP thought I might have thyrotoxicosis from my symptoms (he is very on it due to my heart issues). It will be interesting to compare results ! Thank you so much for your reply.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

High heart rate can be due to LOW Ft3

Your Ft4 and Ft3 are very low

They are only 19% through range

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

Have you had ferritin and iron tested?

What are your actual vitamin D, folate and B12 results and ranges

Your low Ft4 and Ft3 show you need levothyroxine

Have you ever been prescribed levothyroxine?

As you have hashimoto’s are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

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...

[Elsa1509 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon. Thank you so much for your reply. I have been severely iron deficient for years (ferritin in single figures and as low as 3 at one point!). Last year I had every invasive test possible for internal bleeding and coeliac and nothing found! I am gluten free as well and have been for several years.

I am no longer anaemic as my periods have calmed right down (peri menopause).

Vit D a few months ago was 140 as I supplement, folate close to being over range (!) and Vit B12 was 450.

I think I will get my ferritin re-tested but i’m feeling strangely energetic at times and better then when I was anaemic so I would be surprised if I was. However my thigh and upper arm muscles are seriously fatigued on exertion which made me think hyper.

I’m just surprised at my low FT3 and FT4! - I wonder if my Raynauds could be affecting my finger prick tests?

I will post my NHS results if they are very different.

Thank you so much for your reply.