Lower TSH and anaemia

[Pastelart]

After having TSH of 4.9 earlier in the year, my recent blood test shows a TSH of 2.6 is it possible that taking seaweed tablets has brought it down? Also recent test shows alarming anaemia, they are now testing ferritin levels and referring me for colonoscopy 😩

[greygoose]

Highly unlikely, I would say. Iodine is only one of the ingredients of thyroid hormone. You can't make a cake with just flour.

The TSH level follows the levels of the Frees. The higher they are, the lower the TSH. The lower the Frees the higher the TSH. Do you have a diagnosis of hypo? And if so, are you on any thyroid hormone replacement? If you are, then that will have raised your FT4/3 and that is what has lowered your TSH.

Seaweed has a high content of iodine, and excess iodine can be a very bad thing. For one thing, it is anti-thyroid. It used to be used to treat hyper patients, before anti-thyroid drugs were developed. It can also trigger Hashi's, and even cause cancer, so it is not recommended that anyone self-treat with iodine.

[Pastelart in reply to greygoose]

I haven’t been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but my TSH level was 4.9 and I have many of the symptoms. The doctor won’t investigate further, which is frustrating. I haven’t been taking seaweed since last year. Won’t do so again, even though my doctor thought it was a good idea!

[greygoose in reply to Pastelart]

Well, unfortunately, doctors don't know anything about thyroid. I was oncle prescribed iodine drops without any blood tests, examinations or anything. Made me ten times worse!

[Angel_of_the_North]

Unlikely unless the only reason for underactive thyroid was iodine deficiency and you have eaten tons of seaweed. TSH varies a lot with time of day and is also affected by coffee and eating. Were both tests done at exactly the same time of day and menstrual cycle (if you have one)? Most healthy people have a TSH around 1.2

[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 if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

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)

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 antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

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...

What’s your diet like?

Are you vegetarian or vegan?

Unless had extensive testing for iodine deficiency, iodine or kelp not recommended.

An average mixed diet has plenty of iodine in it. Vegan diet possibly doesn’t

Seaweed (kelp) is NOT Recommended for anyone with Hashimoto’s

drknews.com/iodine-and-hash...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...