New here, in the hope someone with experience can fill me in because my GP is pretty vague.
a 2019 ultrasound showed heterogeneous appearance to thyroid as well as nodules. TPO antibody test came back as ''very high, likely need for endocrine referral'' (never saw an endo). Thyroid function test was normal at the time. Family history of goiters and thyroid cancer. Do these findings (TPOantibodies and ultrasound) require routine, yearly checks? Is another ultrasound a good idea to assess if more damage has occurred? Should I have routine thyroid function tests? Can people with high TPOantibodies and some visible damage to the thyroid be treated? I have Hashimoto's symptoms but GP says he can't treat me due to normal thyroid function test. They aren't monitoring it either. Is this the right approach?
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Tillyme
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I have Hashimoto's symptoms but GP says he can't treat me due to normal thyroid function test
What EXACTLY are these “normal results “
Just testing TSH is completely inadequate
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
Far too often only TSH is tested
You need FULL thyroid and vitamin testing annually
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
High thyroid antibodies confirms autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have 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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
Wow, thank you for this response. I will be pushing them to investigate again as it's been almost 2 years since the antibodies/nodules were detected. I will ask the GP to make a note on my medical record to test these things yearly. I'm not sure why it wasn't on there in the first place, but your response gives me a lot to work on. Knowledge is power. Obviously I wasn't wrong in feeling like it needed monitoring! Thanks
Hi there. I've never had a thyroid ultrasound but very high tpo antibodies also >1000 I have 6 monthly checks that was recommended by a rheumatologist i saw. Like you my tests are also normal just now.
Interesting! After talking to you guys, I'm beginning to think someone didn't update my medical records once I got the result. It appears that not following up at all, is not normal practice. I didn't want to come across as a hypochondriac, but I feel in a better position to push for more checks now
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Desperate for help interpreting my labs.
More blood tests required?
My First Blood tests, what do they mean?
Normal blood tests again but still feeling awful and getting worse.
Possible over treatment with Levothyroxine 
