This is my blood test result ..but I don’t un... - Thyroid UK

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This is my blood test result ..but I don’t understand anything please help...

Bela64 profile image
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Hello my friends hope you are well!? I like some adice please ..I’m taking carbimazole 5mg once a day doctor prescribed alert my test results about one week a go ...this is what my test says...... TSH 0.005 T4 >14.0 Plasma free triiodothyronine.> 7.2 Thyroid peroxidase ABS TPO antibodies > 481.1 that is very high I think !? Vitamin d is 71 ....GAMA GT 69 Ferritin > 245 still waiting for results ok b12 and folate ... doctor did not explain anything just told me to take this pill and have another blood test in 4 weeks..not sure wats is going on With my thyroid health .. any advice and suggestions will very much appreciated.. have a great weekend ...many thanks. ....Bela

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greygoose profile image
greygoose

Oh, dear, another doctor having a panic attack at the sight of a low TSH.

He did not test for Grave's, he tested for Hashi's. And, it's positive. He should not be prescribing carbimazole without testing for Grave's antibodies: TRAB or TSI. It is possible - but rare - to have Grave's and Hashi's at the same time. But, your T4 and T3 do not suggest Grave's at all.

Did you get a print-out of your results? Or did someone just read them out over the phone? Because I've never seen thyroid labs expressed like that before. Normally, you get a number for the FT4 and FT3, and a range. Not just >7, that doesn't tell you anything much. If I were of a suspicious turn of mind (heaven forbid! lol) I would say the doctor was deliberately fudging those results. Maybe he suspects he's made a mistake? If i were you, I would want to dig deeper into all this. Because, the symptoms you described in your last post, certainly seem more like hypo symptoms than hyper. I really suspect you have Hashi's, not Grave's.

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle in reply to greygoose

I share greygoose's suspicious turn of mind......... whoever gave out that >14/>7.2 information will have had sight of the actual ft4/ft3 number and ref.range for test............so why didn't they give to you......... ?

TPOab..... is pretty high, but when it's in the thousands it's very high. i've had >3000, and i've read of 6000.

The antibody test to see if you have Graves T(sh)Rab can only be ordered by an Endocrinologist i believe. Is there any mention of a referral to one ?

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to tattybogle

Yes, we always say that only endos can test for Grave's. But, I have heard of GPs doing it. Worth asking, anyway. If you tell him that you refuse to take the carbi without proof that you have Grave's, he might do the necessary. Or, you could do a private test. But, personally, I would not continue taking it without knowing.

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle in reply to greygoose

I don't think i would either.

Bela64 , i hope they at least explained the warning signs of certain side effects to look out for when taking Carbimazole ? i can't remember what they are , but it's something important.

Hopefully someone else will know what i'm talking about.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to tattybogle

Sore throat .....if a patient gets sore throat on Carbimazole they need to hot foot to A and E

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle in reply to SlowDragon

Thankyou. :)

Bela64 profile image
Bela64 in reply to SlowDragon

Slow dragon what do you think ? btw the doctor also prescribed propranolol 3times a day at 40 mg ..

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Bela64

Are you saying 3 lots of 40mg propranolol?

How long have you been taking propranolol and Carbimazole?

Propranolol shouldn’t be prescribed to anyone with asthma

Bela64 profile image
Bela64 in reply to SlowDragon

About one week now ..I don’t like taking propranolol but doctors said that will help with the anxiety and hart palpitation but it makes me more depressed I think .I’m also taking Mirtazapine 15 mg at night, but don’t think is helping at all..but doctor said for me to keep taking it ..

Bela64 profile image
Bela64 in reply to tattybogle

Hi tattybogle well I’m very confused now ..he did test me for TSH and is very low 0.005 ..is that mean anything?

Bela64 profile image
Bela64 in reply to greygoose

Hi greygoose well I have the copy of my exam but I’m not sure how to post it..I taking the numbers..I think it goes like this T4 14.0 pmol |L[0.3-5.6] Triiodothyronine level <7.2 pmolL[2.5 -5.7]. TSH level <0.005 MU/L[0.3-5.6 ]. TPO antibodies:458.1 iu /ML [0.0-35.0] But he didn’t test me for TSI or TRAB ...all my symptoms are anxiety , palpitations and feeling very low ..before having the blood test doctor was giving me antidepressants for it I tried than all without any help .I tried total 8 different antidepressants..no joking..I even started to have panic attacks..is been absolutely hell...I don’t even sure if carbimazole is the Wright medication for me !? i have bem taking it for 10 days now ..I have another blood test done in tree weeks this time and see my Doctor at the some time ..do you think I need to ask many questions ? If so can you tell what should I ask him ..I’m very new in all this..and I’m feeling so very ill with all this ..sorry for the long post ..many thanks Bela

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Bela64

T4 14.0 pmol |L[0.3-5.6] - so is that FT4 (Free T4) or TT4 - sometimes written as just T4? Because that ranges is weird for FT4. And if it's TT4, then it's the wrong test.

Triiodothyronine level <7.2 pmolL[2.5 -5.7] That still doesn't give us the exact number, and it's important to know the exact number, because 7.2, with that range, is not very high, and unlikely to be Grave's.

TSH level <0.005 MU/L[0.3-5.6 ]. This is the least important number. It's suppressed, yes, but it would be with that high-ish FT3. Hashi's could also cause it to be suppressed.

TPO antibodies:458.1 iu /ML [0.0-35.0] As I said, these antibodies show that you have Hashi's. And, carbimazole is not the right treatment for Hashi's. The high levels will come down by themselves, eventually. You don't need antithyroid drugs. And, as I've so often noticed on here, once the doctor has you on antithyroid drugs, he is very reluctant to take you off them, and you could go very hypo, very quickly.

all my symptoms are anxiety , palpitations and feeling very low

Which could be hypo symptoms as well as hyper symptoms.

tried total 8 different antidepressants..no joking.

I know you're not joking, and it's perfectly logical. If your depression is caused by your thyroid, antidepressants are highly unlikely to make you feel better. What you need is your thyroid sorted out.

I have another blood test done in tree weeks this time and see my Doctor at the some time ..do you think I need to ask many questions ?

I think you need to ask a hell of a lot of questions! It was most unprofessional of him to put you on this drug without explaining anything. But, the first and most important question is: why didn't he do the Grave's antibody testing before putting you on antithyroid drugs? And, if I were you, I would not wait three weeks to ask that question, I would contact him and ask it Monday morning. Tell him you will stop the carbi if he doesn't prove you need it. I'm not suggesting you do stop it, just frighten him a bit. lol But, it is something to think about: is it wise to take a drug that you do not need?

Ask him if, given the TPO antibody result, does he not think that you are more likely to have Autoimmune Thyroiditis (which is not the same as Grave's, even though antibodies are involved.) If he says you can't have that because you don't have a goitre, then tell him that it's perfectly possible to have AT without a goitre, and it's called Ord's Thyroiditis. You've got to make him think you know what you're talking about, even if you don't - because he obviously doesn't know any better! Do a bit of research, in the meantime, on Grave's, Hashimoto's and Ord's.

Is this the first time you've had a blood test for your thyroid? If not, what were previous results?

Bela64 profile image
Bela64 in reply to greygoose

Thank you very much greygoose for all the information you have given me .much appreciated.. I will contact my doctor or going to see other doctors privately..I need to know what is wrong with me I been feeling like this for a very long time and feeling even worse since starting taking all this antidepressants..feeling so ill all the time is not fun..I always had a good health and I’m finding it very hard to coupe with whatever is going on with my health....bela

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Bela64

You're welcome. :) Good luck. Keep us up to date with how you go on.

Karen321 profile image
Karen321 in reply to Bela64

I have Graves’ disease and have also tried lots of antidepressants but I have to tell you they do not work because the ‘depression’ I experience is a symptom of the Graves. I had hypnotherapy in order to help me deal with the symptoms and listen to a tailored recording every day. It’s by no means a cure all but it does help me to put the physical and mental symptoms into perspective so I no longer go right to the end of the dark tunnel x

Bela64 profile image
Bela64 in reply to Karen321

Hi Karen Thank you for the advice..I suffer a lot from anxiety also and depression..is not nice feeling at all ..meds don’t work I have tried than all 😡but I don’t even know what is wrong with me to be honest..doctor prescribed me carbimazole 5 mg a day but never explained anything just told me that my TSH is very low but ft4 in ok and ft3 is a little bit high .that is I know at the mo I’m so confused 🤷‍♂️ are you on medication? Did you stop taking antidepressants? Sorry for all the questions I’m just so confused and trying hard to coupe with this horrible anxiety and depression.. 😢 wish you well Bela

birkie profile image
birkie in reply to Bela64

Hi Bela64❤️

As im sure the lovely people on here will tell you anxiety and depression can be a sign of thyroid problems, I too had them before my diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, when I was diagnosed my endo never suggested having an uptake scan or doing anti body test, on my next app with him I asked why? He said he didn't feel it was necessary so I said" well how do you know what kind of thyroid illness I have"? Your giving me carbimazol and you don't know what I have.. So I insisted that he gave me both tests, turns out I had high thyroid antibodies and showed graves disease... Some consultants need a swift kick up the backside....

You have to fight for you health unfortunately go back and insist they do antibodie test.

Good luck Bela64❤️

Bela64 profile image
Bela64 in reply to birkie

H birkie thanks for the kind advice... What test of antibodies should I ask for? I had some tests done and this is how it goes .... FT4.14 FT3 7.2. THS 0.005 TPO antibodies 458.1. Those those results meaning anything to you ? I haven’t got a clue all I know that doctor give me carbimazole 5 mg and told me to take it for 4 weeks and than have another blood test 🤷🏼‍♀️As you can see I’m very distressed about it all !, but I will ask my doctor for further tests on my next appointment in 2 weeks from now . But I’m not sure if I can wait that long to be honest..best wishes. Bela

birkie profile image
birkie in reply to Bela64

Hi Bela64

Well looking at your bloods your T3 looks high.. Did they do a TSH test.. I can tell you what my tests were.. But I must tell you it took my gp over 2 years to diagnose me so in the end my T3 was 24.2..pmol/L..ranges.. 3.10-6.80pmol/L

My TSH was <0.02.mU/L...ranges..0.30-4.50mU/ L

They never did a T 4 at that time..

But usually if the T3 is high and the TSH is low or suppressed then it is usually diagnosed as hyperthyroid when I was diagnosed I really didn't know much regarding the illness I went on here and got some invaluable advice like get your antibodies tested.. As I said my consultant didn't think it was necessary but I pushed him because until you have those results you don't really know what kind of thyroid illness it is... I had an uptake scan which confrmed graves this is an auto immune illness I was attacking my thyroid. Your T3 seems high but their are many good people on here who can explain your results better... Most GPS and endos don't bother to much if your a little over or just within ranges this is a mistake as its the symptoms they should go by.. Did you say you had been diagnosed yet or is your gp/endo sitting on the fence.. You sound like I did I was so ill I couldn't do anything and most of my days were spent in bed due to sheer exshaustion, sweating profusely, running to the loo, fast heartbeat, terrible tremors, but I noticed these symptoms 2 years before diagnosis but they were mild then, my gp insisted it was the menupause. 🙄 If you feel awful you need to try to relate this to your gp.. At the moment my parathyroid glands have Gone overactive.. I'm back to exshaustion, sweats, palpitations, tremors, pins and needles and cramp.. I know these symptoms are related to hyperparathiyroidism I had this in 2003/2004...and all my endo is doing is taking more bloods.. She's looking for high calcium.. I've sent her an email stating you don't need a high calcium level and a high PTH level to diagnose hyperparathiyroidism she even put in a letter to me she believes I have primary hyperparathiyroidism!!! So why doesn't she just organise a scan on my parathyroid glands... No that's to easy they like to keep us ill.. Its best to get all info you can from them blood results ect... I'm trying to find out what my antibodies were as my endo just said they were very high it never dawned on me to ask what they were so I've requested to look at my medical records myself.. In the end my thyroid had to be removed due to it being toxic.. Ask, ask and ask until you get answers..

Karen❤️

Bela64 profile image
Bela64 in reply to birkie

Omg Karen you having been suffering a lot.. is not ok for the fact that doctors don’t listen to us ,we know our body and mind well enough to know that there’s something wrong somewhere !?The same as you my doctor said that I was just going through a menopause and give me HRT and that send me loop I got proper ill after 3 months of taking it ,panic attacks every day ,anxious and very low , it was horrible ! than they decided to give me antidepressants but that did not work in fact it made me worse than ever . In desperation I tried 8 different ones ..they even send me to see psychiatrist .. totally wasted of time ..appointments cud of be given to someone else who need it this kind of treatment....... and no I haven’t not been diagnosed ,he just give carbimazole pills and send me home ..I have a huge list of questions for next appointment In 2 weeks from now And I also having another blood test At the same time ...you said that they had to remove you thyroid , But you still having problems how that works? Are you on medication at the mo ? All this is so confusing isn’t it? Sorry for asking so many questions.. but I have to ask just one more Lol .. when you get the flare up do you take anything for it ? like better blocker? Ah I forgot doctor also prescribed me some of that .propranolol ..but I don’t like taking it sometimes if I fell really ill I will take one ...hope you find the answers that you are looking for 🤞🏻and me 🤞🏻🙏🏼 wish you all the best Bela

Karen321 profile image
Karen321 in reply to Bela64

I don’t take antidepressants anymore. I’m currently on carbimazole and have been for last 5 years with no side effects. It’s not a nice feeling at all but you need to remember it’s the disease talking and not you. It will pass and then possibly come back when you have a flare up x

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

These results strongly suggest you have Hashimoto’s....though it is possible (but rare) to have Graves’ disease at same time

Graves’ disease is confirmed by testing TSI or Trab antibodies.....which GP doesn’t seem to have done (Often can only be ordered by endocrinologist)

Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms and is very often mistaken by medics as Graves’ disease

Yes TSH is low

But Ft4 is not high and Ft3 only very slightly high

Anxiety and depression are extremely common with Hashimoto’s

Suggest you see/contact GP on Monday and request TSI or Trab antibodies tested for Graves’ disease

Plus ultrasound scan of thyroid too

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Link about Graves’ disease

thyroiduk.org/hyperthyroid-...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom...

Carbimazole is not correct treatment for Hashimoto’s

Both Hashimoto’s and Graves patients can benefit from strictly gluten free diet

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...

Bela64 profile image
Bela64 in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you I will called my doctor on Monday..and see if they make any sense..I’m so tired of all this 😔

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Bela64

So your Ft4 result is high ...not very high ...odd range ...is it free T4 or total T4?

Are you in the UK?

As Greygoose says

See/speak to GP on Monday

Ask for antibodies test for Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism) - That’s TSI or Trab antibodies test

And say you’re feeling dreadful, can you have thyroid levels retested now

You currently only appear to have had TPO antibodies test. Your TPO antibodies result is pretty high....that’s typical of autoimmune thyroid disease (hypothyroidism) - In UK this only called Hashimoto’s if there’s a goitre -

called Ord’s Thyroiditis if no goitre and thyroid shrinks and shrivels up

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ord%2...

(Rest of world calls both varieties Hashimoto’s)

It is possible to have raised TPO antibodies with Graves’ disease....but not usually raised very much

Depression is more typical of hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s)

Anxiety is common with both Hashimoto’s and Graves

It is possible, but rarer to have both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease running in tandem....more complex and usually managed by endocrinologist

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