Hello - I am new to this site and would love your advice on covid 19/thyroid please.
There are some studies now looking at Tcell function as an indicator of extreme Covid 19 response and I think I should probably get my thyroid/T function tests done as a precaution;
In the way of my history: I was on thyroid medication (levothyroxine) for 14 years (underactive)... I came off the medication about 18 months ago... and have been fine since.. no symptoms - they think it might be because my stress level changed, vitamin D supplement is working or change of life!
If I were to have a test I really don't want to go to hospital so welcome private recommendations in London that are not too expensive please.
I would welcome your thoughts and advise please....
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PuffMagic
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Very confused by your post. I can’t comment on your hypothyroid state without blood results or any symptoms. Why do you want to test for T cells? They are nothing to do with the thyroid, they are a type of lymphocyte (white blood cell) involved in the immune response which are made in the thymus, a gland in the chest. What will knowing level of T cells achieve or help you with?
I think PuffMagic has mixed up T cells with the T4, T3, T2 and T1 in thyroid function. You are right...they have nothing to do with each other...I think it was just a mistake.
Most members here that use private testing services use the companies listed on the Thyroid UK website here thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
I have no idea whether any of these companies are offering private hospital testing in person at the moment, as many of those services were closed during lockdown, so you will need to contact them directly to find out the current situation.
Impossible to comment without recent full blood test results. It is very unusual to regain normal thyroid function after being hypo. However, studies show a strong correlation between vitamin D levels and resistance to some infectious diseases. You can get a home finger prick test from Medichecks for thyroid.
Extremely rare to stop levothyroxine, almost always need it for life
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
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
You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative
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 .
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.
Apologies if I am being really dense, but T cells are really only an issue if say you have aids and they drop dramatically. They are used in the new “ radiation treatment “ when they take some out add them to chemotherapy and then place the cells back.( It’s a type of immunotherapy).
Having taken hormones for my thyroid for ages, I’ve never come across anyone who has stopped taking them and been ok. I was so poorly before I took them.
Also my T cells have never been discussed at any stage. I’ve read about strong T cells helping fight covid. ( as I recall it was sciencemag.org) but if you read SlowDragon’s excellent reply good vitamin levels help any viruses and build a healthy immune system.
On the covid question I concentrate on diet absorption vitamins ( the ones mentioned above) the thyroid and adrenals. If they are all ok( plus yes I take vit c and zinc and a good vit b complex as b1 has been mentioned as helpful) I’ve done the best I can. Do I have a protocol in place if I am ever ill absolutely. It’s not however something I am concerned about though.
So like everyone else without any results I cannot say if your thyroid is fully functioning. I’d certainly pay to find out and check them and the vitamin levels.
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