Finally more thyroid results! Is this Hashi's?

[rustymoon88]

Hi everyone,

Thank you again so much for your input on my last post (healthunlocked.com/thyroidu.... I now have an update.

I told my doctor when I saw him that I seem to have most of the symptoms of Hashimoto's and that my mum and cousin have this and asked if he'd be willing to do a thyroid panel blood test (I specifically mentioned that this should include T3, T4 and antibodies as well as TSH) and to my pleasant surprise he agreed. I've just had the results back with a big bold note at the top saying ABNORMAL... As you can see my TSH levels are high again (due to the blood test taking place in the right circumstances - thanks again for your tips on this!) as well as my peroxidase antibodies but I can't see any mention of T3 and T4 and I don't really understand the other set of results under the immunoglobulin level heading.

The results were only added online today and I haven't heard anything further yet but I'm assuming my surgery will contact me shortly about seeing my doctor again to discuss further, but I wanted to seek advice on here again in the meantime as you've been so helpful previously.

I've added a quick summary of my previous TSH results for context before adding my latest ones underneath (details of other things that I've been tested for, e.g. vit D, ferritin etc, can be found in my previous post linked above).

May 2021 (done at 7am after water only):

Serum TSH level - 7+ miu/L [0.34-5.6] (can't find exact result for this one but doctor mentioned it was 7 point something)

June 2021 (done at 1pm after food and tea):

Serum TSH level - 3.94 miu/L [0.34-5.6]

October 2021 (done at 11am after water only):

Serum TSH level - 4.49 miu/L [0.34-5.6]

November 2021 (done at 8.15am after water only):

Serum TSH level - 7.14 miu/L [0.34 - 5.6]

Above high reference limit

TPO ANTIBODY

THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODY - 76.8 iu/mL [0.0 - 9.0]

Above high reference limit

Immunoglobulin level

IGG - 15.3 g/L [6.0 - 16.0]

IGA - 2.5 g/L [0.8 - 2.8]

IGM - 1.4 g/L [0.5 - 1.9]

Serum total protein level - 76 g/L [60.0 - 80.0]

Serum albumin level - 43 g/L [35.0 - 50.0]

Serum globulin level - 33 g/L [20.0 - 42.0]

I'm 33, female and am not currently taking any medication apart from prescribed vitamin D.

Would I be right in thinking these latest results seem to indicate Hashimoto's?

Thank you as always in advance for your help, can't tell you how helpful it is being part of this community.

[JAmanda]

You need to get private tests to get full set of results inc T3 and t4 Yes you look like you have hypothyroidism but better to have full picture before you start medication. I use Medichecks but others use Thriva, monitor my health etc.

[rustymoon88 in reply to JAmanda]

Thanks for your reply. My surgery's now contacted me about making a follow up appointment so will ask why these weren't tested but will definitely look into doing home checks for them.

[JAmanda in reply to rustymoon88]

T3 is never tested by GPs

[tattybogle]

yes , with the raised TPOab ,and gatting TSH 7 twice in a year , they do definitely point to Autoimmune Hypothyroidism... (iether Hashimotos' with a goitre or Ord's without )

it's very annoying that your lab seem to be unwilling to do at least an fT4 . many NHS labs will automatically run an fT4 from the same sample if the TSH is over range, . ( a policy called 'reflex 'testing ), but it seems yours isn't doing this..... even more annoying since the GP specifically asked for it .

we know it's hard to get NHS to do fT3 .. but for them to not do fT4 when your TSH is over range for the second time, is pretty rubbish.

Having said that, unless your fT4 is actually under range, ( it's more likely to be just a bit low at this point ) it's not going to mean you get a diagnosis and treatment any faster ... GP's only need TSH for that.

be prepared ...... Some GP's might still want to wait a bit for confirmation before offering Levo, so don't be surprised of you get a "let's repeat these in 3 months " response . .. if they follow the guidelines for diagnosis strictly , then the "two over range TSH" should be consecutive.

People differ in how much their TSH varies during the day ... so the time of day may or may not wholly account for the 3.9 /4.4 results you had ,. and GP will want to be sure that TSH wont lower by itself again next month before prescribing .

If you do get a "wait 3 months" .. you may be able to negotiate it down to "6 weeks" due to the previous 7 in May / the positive TPOab / and the time the 'in range' tests were done ... but the 'time of test' argument won't help you much with GP's... in fact it may even work against you ... i can just hear some GP's saying "well if you're only getting 7's at 8am in the morning and it's in range for the rest of the day , then you're fine ..this test is meant to be done in the daytime..... next patient please"

But hopefully your GP is more enlightened and will start you on Levo without making you wait unnecessarily .

[rustymoon88 in reply to tattybogle]

Thanks for your reply It's very annoying, I've had so many blood tests over the last few months I feel like a pin cushion so was disappointed when these two were missed out after finally feeling like I was getting somewhere. That said, it's kind of a relief that the other results seem to be pointing at Hashi's as I was starting to worry I was going mad! I've now been contacted by my surgery about making a follow up appointment so will see what the doctor says. Based on past experience I won't be very surprised if I get the old 'we'll test again in 3 months' line but we'll see, starting to get desperate now

[Miffie]

It is quite possible the lab has not done fT3 as they often refuse GP requests. However they should definitely have done fT4 as TSH out of range. The local lab here always refuses fT3 so I use Monitor my Health for easy inexpensive basic tests. Good luck

[rustymoon88 in reply to Miffie]

It's very strange isn't it! I've now had a letter asking me to make a follow up appointment with my doctor so I'll ask why they weren't included in the blood test.

[silverfox7]

I always find consistency is the key. I take my medication early and wait an hour before eating. Also vit D has to be 4 hours away from your medication. Ask the moderators healthunlocked for their help and advice and stick to it, ask their help re timing etc and make sure you do the same every day and hopefully you will find an improvement. Have you had your vitamins and minerals tested? Your GP can do that for you. As Thyroid patients we lose vits more readily so it’s important we see and understand what they are doing. DONT take Multivits as they are often very weak and don’t really help but after you have been tested start on the ones that are too low. Thyroid Uk advice is to start your first one and get it up to the level you need to be and add in others at two weekly intervals and once optimal find a dose which keeps them there. There is a lot to discover to keep our wellness where it should be but well worth the effort to take it on board.

[rustymoon88 in reply to silverfox7]

Thanks for your reply As I mentioned in my post I'm not currently taking levothyroxine or any other thyroid medication as my GP hasn't prescribed it (only officially diagnosed with Hashi's following a more detailed blood test in December which then led me to being referred to the hospital and am waiting on an appointment), but I am taking vit D and B12 as directed by my GP as these were also included in my previous blood tests and levels were low.