Can someone explain my thyroid profile and current symptoms?

[LoveNeroli]

Hi, I'm new to the group and wondered if I could be advised on some recent blood tests I received because I have no idea what any of it means! I'm 49 (female).

I had a Thyroid Profile done in December 2020 which read:

1. TSH - 5.53 flagged as High (reference range 0.32 - 5.00 uiU/mL)

2. S-Free Thyroxine (Direct) - 14.4 (reference range 10.7 - 20.8 pmol/L)

Then in July 2021 the same test was repeated. This time it read:

1. TSH - 3.07 uiU/mL

2. S-Free Thyroxine (Direct) - 16.0 pmol/L

In addition, I have periods which sometimes come twice in one month and then for no months at all (possibly due to perimenopause). I suffer from constipation, substantial weight loss despite healthy eating, aching joints, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, low haemoglobin (11.2) and very low white cell count (neutrophils). High lymphocytes, high monocytes, high eosinophils.

I wondered if my symptoms and abnormal full blood count could be connected to my thyroid in any way?

During my last doctor's visit I asked them to explain my test results and they brushed off my concerns and offered no explanation. I am currently looking to change doctors but where I live it's hard because there are not that many to go around. I'm a bit worried about these results and hoped that someone on the forum might be able to help me. Thanks.

[radd]

manz135,

Welcome to our forum.

Symptoms & test results could be attributed to a thyroid issue. Have you been diagnosed? Have you had thyroid antibodies tested? Are you medicating any thyroid hormone replacement meds?

[LoveNeroli in reply to radd]

Hi radd, thanks for your reply. No, I haven't had any my thyroid antibodies tested and I'm not currently using medication. I haven't been diagnosed, just keep getting sent for tests and more tests which is getting emotionally draining.

[radd in reply to LoveNeroli]

manz135,

Great info already given below re what tests are useful in gaining a better picture of your thyroid function.

Also iron & vitamin test/results. Deficiencies & anaemia's are common on this forum because adequate thyroid hormone is required for a healthy gut and good nutrient absorption.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis) diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Heavy periods can lead to low iron/ferritin

Low vitamin levels can upset thyroid

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 all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[humanbean]

low haemoglobin (11.2)

This indicates that you are anaemic. Anaemia can occur for many different reasons. See this link for summary info :

irondisorders.org/wp-conten...

The reasons for anaemia that you are most likely to come across on this forum are low levels of one or more of the following:

ferritin (iron stores)

iron

vitamin B12

folate

But some people have joined the forum who've had other types of anaemia, so don't fixate on the ones I've mentioned.

.................

very low white cell count (neutrophils). High lymphocytes, high monocytes, high eosinophils.

See the following links - click on the + signs on each page for more info:

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

..............

You could post your results and ranges from a Full Blood Count if you have them - sometimes we can help with those - but not always.

And bear in mind that none of us can be assumed to have any medical training!

[Cornwaller]

Hi,

Welcome and sorry to hear about your GP.

Your results appear consistent with hypothyroidism and treatment with levothyroxine would seem a reasonable first step to see how you respond both in terms of symptomsand bloods.. Are you taking levo?

Your blood results could also be indicative of b12 deficiency. Google b12.org for background on b12 deficiency.

Your symptoms and results definitely warrant further investigation and should not be brushed off. It is quite reasonable for you to ask for such investigation.

Take care.