Hello!
I’ve been on a bunch of supplements with the aim of improving my thyroid function.
The first image is of 3 blood results for TSH and T4 taken in a 6 month period.
It was some time before I was retested and my TSH seems to be in a much better place. I’ll attach image as a reply as I’m unsure if I can do two images in this post.
Do you think my supplementation is working? Or could there be another reason for better TSH?
I am feeling much better.
Are you currently taking levothyroxine?
Your results show you are hypothyroid
Ft4 is below range and TSH far too high
If on levothyroxine you’re under medicated
Important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin, and B12.
Do you have Hashimoto’s- autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
I haven’t started medication yet. My antibodies are high yes. 😬
My new TSH reading of 2.62. Is it too high?
Has your GP suggested starting Levothyroxine? If you start to feel unwell, you will need to take thyroid medication to get T4 and T3 optimal.
Having key vitamins in range (ferritin, folate, Vit D) really helped me feel better BUT only alongside thyroid medication.
Yes it’s been discussed! We are going to retest in 6 months ish and see where I’m at. My thyroid antibodies were V high. I was prescribed iron and vitamin D at one point and felt amazing!
Recently been prescribed iron again so hoping for same. I don’t feel overly bad just a little lacking in energy and cold hands.
Just wondered if the new results were of note. If maybe something is working 🤔.
Your Ft4 is BELOW RANGE
Ask for trial of levothyroxine
Or if GP refuses to prescribe, insist on referral to endocrinologist
Likely very low vitamin levels
Low vitamins tend to lower TSH
Are you currently taking any vitamin D?
If yes ....how much
If no....levels likely dropped significantly
What’s your most recent ferritin results?
What has GP prescribed
Essential to test B12 and folate as well
Hashimoto's frequently affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function with Hashimoto’s can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
healthcheckshop.co.uk/store...?
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
drknews.com/changing-your-d...
restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...
Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/296...
The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/300...
The obtained results suggest that the gluten-free diet may bring clinical benefits to women with autoimmune thyroid disease
nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...
In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned
restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...
Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.
I held off as long as I could in starting medication, so understand how you feel. I took thyroid medication when my symptoms worsened (achey limbs and increased anxiety). I also started on a very low dose of thyroid medication and slowly increased. For me, too big an increase caused palpitations.
I think it’s good to know that when you need to take medication it’s available. Best wishes to you
I would go by how you feel . Keep an eye on tests and trust yourself
Keep up the good workx
Oh I like that advice. Thank you!
Thyroid hormones are better diagnostics than TSH
Trying to get my T4 and TSH levels in better range
Wondering how quickly I will feel better? Just diagnosed TSH 78.
Is a suppressed TSH okay if you feel better?
