Can anyone help with advice on my recent blood results?

[Busyfish]

On Friday the 10th July I picked up my latest blood results from my doctors surgery. For over 4 years I have been asking my doctors for blood tests as my hair is drastically thinning - I now can't wear it down at all - It depresses me hugely. I initially thought low iron, ferritin etc but these were all fine. my vit D was low however, so I was prescribed a daily capsule to take for that. That was 4 years ago.

About 3 years ago I was diagnosed with map dot dystrophy a dry eye condition which I take daily drops for.

I currently have pain in my left elbow, which I have been presuming is some kind of tennis elbow condition. I am an otherwise reasonably fit and healthy 45 year old female although prone to breakouts on my face and back.

In my late 20's for approx 4 months - although I am hazy on this - the joints in my fingers were painful, I remember struggling to open my car door. A red dot appeared in my eye which the optician thought was virus related.

In December 2018 my sister was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and takes hormone replacement levothyroxine 150 mcg medication.

My results on Friday read:

Free T4: 11.1 (range 10-22)

TSH: 4.17 (range 0.27 - 4.2)

FSH: 4.6 (no range given)

Thyroid Perox: 48.6 (less than 6.0)

Does anyone have any advice on this and what steps I should take next? I have heard that Isabella Wents diet has delivered great results and I am curious whether I should consider solely changing my diet or taking medication along with dietary changes.

Many thanks.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Busyfish

Can you please add the reference ranges that came with your results (on a print out they'll be at the side, possibly in brackets, should be something like TSH 2.5 [0.2-4.2]). Because ranges vary from lab to lab then we need your lab's ranges to interpret your results.

We can see that your TSH is high but guessing it's in range, can't guess about your FT4 because it would be below range with some we see, mid range with others. Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies may or may not be raised as we see <34 and <60 for ranges on here.

[Busyfish in reply to SeasideSusie]

Sure can I edit my post?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Busyfish]

Busyfish

Yes, you can edit. Click on MORE then EDIT, make changes then click SUBMIT.

[Busyfish in reply to SeasideSusie]

Free T4: 11.1 (10-22)

TSH: 4.17 (0.27-4.2)

FSH: 4.6 (no range given)

Thuroid Perox Abs: 48.6 (less than 6.0)

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Busyfish]

Busyfish

So your TSH is just shy of top of range and your FT4 is very low.

In some countries hypothyroidism is diagnosed when TSH reaches 3, but in the UK we have to wait unti it reaches 10.

What time of day did you do your test? TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day, so for diagnosis we need the highest possible TSH so test should be done no later than 9am.

Eating can lower TSH and coffee can affect TSH so test should be done before eating or drinking anything except water.

Taking Biotin or a B Complex can give false results for any blood test so needs to be left off for 7 days.

That is a very unusual range for Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies for the UK, but if you are sure it's correct than your raised antibodies suggest autoimmune thyroid disease (know to patients as Hashimoto's) which is where the thyroid is attacked and gradually destroyed.

When positive antibodies are present, if your TSH is over range but not over 10 then an enlightened doctor would diagnose and prescribe Levo. So maybe you can repeat the test under the right conditions and hope that your TSH comes back over range.

Some information about Hashi's:

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. 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.

[Busyfish in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi,

Thank you for your responses.

My bloods were taken at 0830 and I hadn't eaten. I think I might of had a cup of tea prior to leaving the house.

My vit d results are : 77 nmol/L

Throid Perox. ABs * 48.6 U/mL ( less than sign 6.0)

So looks like I have Hashi's?

Is going gluten free enough? Do I need to go dairy free also?

Thank you kindly.