Hi all, just thought I’d give you an update on my situation. After my latest blood test showing raised TSH & high thyroid antibodies, I persuaded the Dr to refer me to ENT due to me having difficulty swallowing & sensation of something stuck in my throat. Have been for my ENT appointment. The Dr there was gobsmacked that my GP hadn’t referred me to an Endo. I’ve signs of inflammation in my throat caused by acid reflux which has also caused my narrowing of my oesophagus, so have been prescribed omeprazole & gaviscon plus I was referred me for an Ultrasound, which was today. This shows that my thyroid is enlarged. The sonographer said it was not a happy thyroid. So next step is waiting to see what happens next once she reports back to the Dr. Just relived to be finally getting somewhere but know I have a long road ahead.
Finally getting somewhere....: Hi all, just... - Thyroid UK
Finally getting somewhere....
Finally ... :)Well that's only taken 3 years then. !
It seems perfectly clear that ,as predicted by your history from 3 yrs ago of raised antibodies TPOab 431.7, and your TSH of 3.91, your thyroid is indeed struggling.
Strictly speaking, to diagnose and start treating 'sub-clinical hypothyroidism' the NHS are guided to perform a retest after 3 months , to see if TSH is still raised.
But given your history, you may be able to persuade them to shorten this time gap for your next blood test.
(Mine was diagnosed by two over range TSH's within 6 weeks of each other +very high (in the 1,000's) TPOab
My TSH was only 5.7 followed by 6.8. My fT4 was in range, and i didn't have an ultrasound.
So it is possible for them to treat before TSH gets up to 10 )
Because your previous private test was taken so late in the day, it is very likely that your TSH on that one was lower then than it would have been first thing in the morning . So if you make sure your next NHS test is first thing in the morning (before breakfast, just water) . it will probably be quite a bit higher, even if it hasn't actually got much higher , if you see what i mean. Hopefully a further obvious increase in TSH will make GP sit up and pay attention.
It is worth waiting a few weeks if need be to get an appointment that is before 9am, the earlier the better.
I had to be quite stubborn recently to get a test appointment at the time i wanted. Receptionist kept saying there were none, they could only book so many appointments in advance etc etc. But i just said , i can't come at any other time because of work and stood there politely until they eventually 'found one'. It was 5 weeks away , but worth the wait. It's a lot longer to wait if the Doctor gets a 'not high enough yet' TSH test that let's them ignore you for another 6 months or a year!
GP will probably not have been taught that TSH is different earlier in the day.
Plus when they say raised antibodies aren't relevant, that is only true in the sense that once you have been found to have them , they don't bother testing again because they already know the answer.
And the answer is that once they have raised TPOab, the person is more likely to eventually become Hypothyroid with raised TSH and below range fT4, which is what it seems you are on the way to.
Hopefully once the GP have seen the Ultrasound results they will finally realise what has been staring them in the face for 3 years.
If they still don't want to offer Levothyroxine..... it is worth pointing out the trend of your TSH results is rising , and your fT4 is falling;
TSH 3.51 fT4 17 [12-22]
TSH 5.33 fT4 15.1 [12-22]
And that your TPOab have risen from 134 to 148, and they have a previous record of them at 431.7 .
Here's hoping you don't need to argue and they just give you some Levo now.
Hi thanks for your reply. I think my symptoms started 6 years ago, as had difficulty with my throat then but it was put down to silent reflux! Crazy thing is if I hadn’t bit the bullet & paid for my own test, I’d still be getting nowhere as these test gave me the confidence to push the Dr for a scan. I’m due a retest in January but will try to do sooner (just with Christmas etc might be tricky). Thanks for the tip on testing in the morning 
yep fingers crossed I’m now given some help
You need to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Couldn’t see any vitamin results in previous posts
Low vitamins are EXTREMELY common with Hashimoto’s
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/286...
Vitamin D deficiency is frequent in Hashimoto's thyroiditis and treatment of patients with this condition with Vitamin D may slow down the course of development of hypothyroidism and also decrease cardiovascular risks in these patients. Vitamin D measurement and replacement may be critical in these patients.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/300...
The thyroid hormone status would play a role in the maintenance of vitamin D sufficiency, and its immunomodulatory role would influence the presence of autoimmune thyroid disease. The positive correlation between free T4 and vitamin D concentrations suggests that adequate levothyroxine replacement in HT would be an essential factor in maintaining vitamin D at sufficient levels.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/186...
There is a high (approx 40%) prevalence of B12 deficiency in hypothyroid patients. Traditional symptoms are not a good guide to determining presence of B12 deficiency. Screening for vitamin B12 levels should be undertaken in all hypothyroid patients, irrespective of their thyroid antibody status. Replacement of B12 leads to improvement in symptoms,
Hi thank you for all your information, I am going to have a good read of it all when I am off work for the Christmas break & will be able to process it all fully. I do have low VitD & take the spray supplement.
How low was vitamin D
How much vitamin D are you currently taking?
When it was first picked up as low it was 24, since then it has slowly risen, last test in May it was 72. I’m taking Better You DLUX3000 75pg(3000U)
My folate & B12 we’re checked in July 2019 & were Serum B12 (ABA) 244 ng/L & Serum Folate (ABA) 7.6 ug/L Thanks
These look far too low
Was B12 test via NHS (serum test)
Or Active B12 (via private testing)
Please add ranges on these results (figures in brackets after each result)
With serum B12 result below 500, recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.
This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too
Difference between folate and folic acid
chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...
Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
B vitamins best taken after breakfast
Igennus Super B is good quality and cheap vitamin B complex. Contains folate. Full dose is two tablets per day. Many/most people may only need one tablet per day. Certainly only start on one per day (or even half tablet per day for first couple of weeks)
Or Thorne Basic B is another option that contain folate, but is large capsule
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
Low B12 symptoms
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
B12 sublingual lozenges
amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...
cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...
hi i have problems swallowing and i have been on omepprazole for 12years, there is conflicting e device all over,i am please you had the scan i think that is what i need. did you get any advice?
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Finally getting somewhere!!!
Hashimotos? Think I may finally be getting somewhere...
Possibly getting somewhere, TOUCHWOOD
Thankyou! I think i may be getting somewhere!
Could this mean I'm getting somewhere?!
90% well - how to get the final 10%?
Finally get to see the GP !
Finally getting medicated for hypothyroidism
Finally! 12 months to get to 100mcg 
3.6cm thyroid nodule, fight to get it removed... 
