Question

[Kittymimi]

I got online access to my records yesterday and found this. Can anyone tell me what it means please?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Kittymimi

Raised Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies confirm autoimmune thyroid disease, known to patients as Hashimoto's. This is where the immune system attacks the thyroid and gradually destroys it.

Are you already diagnosed with hypothyroidism?

[Kittymimi in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes, was diagnosed last year and have never felt right since. As you can tell by my question I’m just starting to teach myself about this subject. I am gathering info before speaking with GP.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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 As your high thyroid antibodies confirms you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's)

Ask GP to test vitamin levels if not been tested yet

Are you currently taking on levothyroxine?

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 .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom...

[Kittymimi]

Yes I am currently on 50 levo. As I say I am gathering info and will be sending off for a blood test this week. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease in 2011 whilst living abroad. After taking meds for 2 years all appeared well until my return to UK in 2016 and I’ve been trying to get a diagnosis since.

[Nanaedake in reply to Kittymimi]

Some people with a Graves disease do have elevated TPO antibodies but more commonly found in Hashimotos thyroiditis. So to rule out Graves disease you need to test TRab and TSI antibodies. If negative then you might conclude you were wrongly diagnosed. It would be unusual to need levothyroxine if you had Graves disease unless on block and replace, which you are not.

[Kittymimi in reply to Nanaedake]

I did test positive for TRab in 2011 so will add TRab and TSI antibodies to the list of things to get tested.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kittymimi]

Graves Disease antibodies test

medichecks.com/products/tsh...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

What are your most recent TSH, Ft4 and Ft3

Important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 too

[Kittymimi in reply to SlowDragon]

I haven’t had all these tested yet, just the standard NHS TSH which was 2.96 - 0.35-4.94. I need to sort blood tests asap.

[Kittymimi in reply to Kittymimi]

Can you please confirm if I had the medichecks TSH Receptor Stimulating Antibodies plus the Thyroid Check UltraVit with Folate then this would cover everything?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kittymimi]

Yes

They both require blood draw ...not DIY finger prick test

Medichecks have list of local to you private clinics ..or you can have nurse come to house....but need to ensure test is done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

If taking any supplements that contain biotin (eg vitamin B complex) then need to stop these a week before all blood tests

[Kittymimi in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you everyone for your help, I’m sure I will be back with more questions before long 😳