Thyroid tests

[Annieza]

Hi everyone

So my antibodies are raised and I have symptoms like fatigue, constipation and hair loss. Because my TSH is within range, my doc is refusing to help me.

So usually my TSH is at the upper range between 3.5 and 4.5 (range is 0.40-4.90). But more recently, my TSH is 5.8 (I was feeling stressed and had been consuming gluten, which I don't normally do).

I feel a little better when i don't have gluten but it hasn't resolved my hair loss or constipation issues. I have been trying healthy eating and gentle exercise too,

My T4 is also within range but on the very low side.

My GP spoke of the possibility of taking levo but would send a letter to my endocrinologist to check. So now they want to take another blood sample to see if this is an anomaly which is annoying because I feel unwell and my TSH has been gradually going up, and my T4 is always on the low side

So my question is, when I go in for my blood sample (which I will do for around 9am), should I consume some gluten the night before to make sure my TSH goes up a bit because I really need them to take it seriously and they don't seem to do that unless something is wrong. Everything is within range but I feel its either too high or too low so I need something to be out of range to show them that its not a fluke.

I know this is really strange but I don't know what else to do to get them to listen to my symptoms.

Thanks guys

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Better perhaps to make sure your very busy everyday 3-5 days before blood test

Make sure you test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water

With two tests where TSH is over 5, high thyroid antibodies and symptoms you should be prescribed trial on levothyroxine

See flow charts on here

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

Presumably you have retested vitamins recently and all four are optimal. Vitamin levels optimal can help increase TSH

[saulute in reply to SlowDragon]

PLEASE, you should eat gluten free diet, never eat gluten , never

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to saulute]

Bit of a sweeping statement

Many thyroid patients need to be gluten free, but not all

[radd]

Annieza,

It's goitrogens that raise TSH, not gluten. And I don’t think it's a good idea to eat a load of goitrogens.

Gluten risks increasing inflammation & gut permeability, and increasing antibodies in autoimmune conditions.

The circadian pattern of TSH is highest early morning.