Hi there! Over the last year I've been experiencing lots of weird health issues which may be related to hormones. Hot flushes on my cheeks, but very cold hands and feet, extremely dry hair. I've also had shingles many times and very low cholesterol. Because my GP ran a few blood tests but nothing unusual came out of it, I've been trying to figure stuff out by myself, or at least ruling things out one by one. I did a thyroid blood test, these are the results. The lab says they're normal, but just checking with you to verify. Thanks!
T3 Free: 4.56 pmol/l ref 3.08-6.78
T4 Free: 18.03 ref 11.60-21.90
TSH 1.20 ref 0.27-4.20
I also had an ANA test which came out as 1:80 with speckled pattern, which they also said was slightly higher for autoimmune, but not conclusive.
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Smiekie_t
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Thyroid levels look normal but ideally you would have included thyroid antibodies in test
Is there any autoimmune disease in close family members
Looking at previous posts
You’re male?
Approx how old
What’s your diet like, are you vegetarian or vegan
Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.
ESSENTIAL to also test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis) or with Graves’ disease
Low vitamin levels common as we get older too
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
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease). Ord’s is autoimmune without goitre.
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue too
Hi, thanks for your reply. I'm a 38 year old female. I had normal vitamin levels, but was extremely low on vitamin D a year ago. Have been taking high dosage ever since.
I'm currently doing low carb high fat diet, nothing with gluten, sugar or alcohol and limited coffee. My aunt had all sorts of autoimmune issues, but other than that nobody in my family.
I'll see if I can get the antibodies test for some more clarity. Was also considering lupus as a possible autoimmune issue as have some symptoms of that too.
Hi Smiekie_t looking at your previous posts and your heartburn and anxiety issues I think you should look into the benefits of apple cider vinegar and magnesium to acheive a good alkaline ph balance but make sure it is a good quality magnesium Holland and Barrett do a liquid magnesium which is good quality and easily absorbed have you had your estrogen and progesterone levels checked ?
Thanks. The funny thing is is that I don't have heartburn anymore. I keep getting symptoms of something for a couple of months and then it passes on to the next thing. The chronic shingles is really bothering me now and the hormones. My GP said getting estrogen and progesterone checked is useless because it fluctuates so much. Do you have other experiences?
When I started the LCHF diet I was able to stop the PPI I had been on for 15+ years. My gastro told me carbs are harder to digest than proteins and fats. I have been off PPI’s now for 4 years with no issues. I also take the betaine HCL with pepsin, a digestive supplement
Good to hear. I've been feeling quite well on this diet. I don't do strict keto, because that left me feeling quite faint. But lower carb, no processed foods is working for me.
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