Autoimmune Hypothyroidism

[HappyCoconut]

Hey, I’m new here. I have been diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome and I also have autoimmune thyroid antibodies in blood results but latest results a year ago showed normal T3, T4 and TSH levels. How can you tell when the antibodies have started to attack the thyroid? I’ve been feeling pretty rubbish for a while now and mainly like a hangover/flu symptom without the alcohol or actual flu, almost everyday, is this normal for hypothyroidism?

[HappyCoconut]

I meant to add- Other symptoms include feeling cold, constipation, low appetite but no weight changes.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

So you know you have high thyroid antibodies

Can you add most recent results and ranges

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, with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

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 as likely deny its relevant)

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

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

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...

[HappyCoconut in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you! I get my blood results on the 10th so I will report back. I don’t know why so long to wait. I have paid for these too, so will consider paying for the additional tests you’ve mentioned.

[HappyCoconut in reply to SlowDragon]

Which vitamins are usually low?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to HappyCoconut]

EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin D especially

[greygoose]

The antibodies don't attack the thyroid. It's the immune system that does the attacking, and the TPO/Tg antibodies come along after the attack to clean up the debris. So, if you have high levels of these antibodies, it means that the attacks have already started.

[HappyCoconut in reply to greygoose]

Thanks! I sort of knew the first bit from having Sjögren’s syndrome and I was unsure about the second part you’ve said. So the attack has started (they knew I had high level of antibodies 4 years ago), but I haven’t been prescribed any treatment, is this because they base it on TSH, FT4 and FT3 levels? Do these levels reflect symptoms?

[greygoose in reply to HappyCoconut]

They base it on TSH, I'm afraid. What are your levls of TSH, FT4 and FT3? And the ranges? When did you last have them tested? Last years levels are much use because things will have changed.

Do these levels reflect symptoms?

Which levels? You haven't given any.

[Rinkydink_Panther]

How did you get a definite Sjogren’s diagnosis?