Thyroid symptoms but still no medication

[1763emma]

Hi all can anyone offer me some advice had results from gp a few weeks ago of tsh 10.8 ft4 12.4 she advised to be re checked in two weeks (as tsh 10 weeks ago was 0.008) and agreed antibody test but then I couldn’t get in for bloods so I paid for Medichecks one. I’m on no medication and feel absolutely shocking yet gp won’t see me till next week can anyone give any advice on results thanks in advance 😊

[jimh111]

These results indicate primary hypothyroidism (a failing thyroid gland) that is probably due to autoimmune thyroditis (your autoimmune system attacks your thyroid).

When the thyroid is failing in this way it can sometimes release large amounts of hormone for a short while, this would explain your very low TSH earlier. You need to be prescribed thyroid hormone to get well, you take this for life and if you are in the UK you can get a medical exemption certificate so you do not have to pay for prescribed medicine.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes high TG antibodies do confirm autoimmune thyroid disease. But NHS often only recognised high TPO antibodies as autoimmune thyroid disease (hashimoto’s)

Early stage Hashimoto’s can see thyroid levels change rapidly, temporary high levels caused by thyroid cells breaking down releasing excess thyroid hormones, called Hashimoto’s flare. After each flare, thyroid becomes a little more destroyed and you become more hypothyroid

Your high TSH means you should be prescribed levothyroxine anyway

Standard starter dose of levothyroxine is 50mcg and bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

Extremely important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

These are frequently very low when hypothyroid and improving these helps improve symptoms

See flow chart on top of page 2

gp-update.co.uk/Latest-Upda...

[1763emma in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you I’ll have a read I’ve asked to collect print out of last lots of full bloods I had to see what they tested etc. Fingers crossed gp will prescribe it next week 🤞

[SlowDragon Administrator]

High thyroglobulin antibodies

healthline.com/health/antit...

researchgate.net/publicatio...

Conclusions: Elevated TgAb levels are associated with symptom burden in HT patients, suggesting a role of thyroid autoimmunity in clinical manifestations of HT.

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is caused by autoimmune thyroid disease

[shaws Administrator]

You take thyroid hormone replacement (levothyroxine) on an empty stomach with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating.

When having a blood test it should be at the earliest possible, fasting, you can drink water (even if you make the appointment weeks ahead). A 24 hour gap between last dose of levothyroxine and blood draw (you can drink water) and take after blood draw.