I'd appreciate advice on my latest results. I was diagnosed hypo 3 years ago, though after requesting my historical medical records they show a doctor's warning that showed I had it in 2012. I had breast cancer in 1999, radio, chemo and tamoxifen and am all clear, but do wonder if the treatments affected my thyroid.
I have zero help from GPs so have resorted to medichecks and after a terrible episode with TEVA I now generally feel ok, though am always tired from mid afternoon.
My rT3 seems low and I have high results for antibodies, so wonder if I have autoimmune problem. Attached is a screenshot of my tests, it is a bit fuzzy as I had to combine 2 photos into one.
Thanks
Jenny
Written by
Jetrumble
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Yes. Both thyroid antibodies are well over range and raised antibodies confirm autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto'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.
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. However, your nutrient test result are all good. Do you supplement?
My rT3 seems low
No it isn't, it's 19 and well within range. I wouldn't worry about rT3 anyway, it's a bit of a red herring. Even if it was high the test can't tell you why it's high and there are many, many reasons for high rT3 and only one is to do with the thyroid. You have absolutely nothing to worry about.
TSH: 1.94 (0.27-4.2)
FT4: 16.1 12-22)
FT3: 3.65 (3.1-6.8)
These results show that you are undermedicated and probably the reason for your afternoon fatigue.
The aim of a Hypo patient on Levo, generally, is for TSH to be 1 or below with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their reference ranges if that is where you feel well.
Obviously your TSH is too high, your FT4 is just 41% through range and your FT3 is a mere 14.86% through range.
You need an increase in your Levo, 25mcg now, retest in 6-8 weeks. You may need a further increase after that. Always retest 6-8 weeks after any dose change.
What brand of Levo are you on now and how much do you take? Once you have found a brand that suits you, always get the same brand. Check before you leave the pharmacy, if it's not the brand you want then hand it back and if they can't get your usual brand then ask for your paper prescription back, ring round other pharmacies to see who can supply your brand.
Having a low rT3 is not any sort of a problem at all. Most people worry when it's high! rT3 really isn't worth the expense of testing because it doesn't give you any useful information. It will tell you if your rT3 is high, but it won't tell you why, and there could be many, many reasons, and only one of them has to do with thyroid.
Your antibodies do indicate Hashi's, yes. But, I have no idea if that can be caused by cancer drugs. And, even if it did, there's nothing you can do about it, now.
Your TSH is a bit too high - what are you taking, and how much?
Your FT3 is much too low for good health, and your FT4 could be a lot higher. So, whatever you're taking, you're under-medicated.
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