Help with understanding crazy lab work outcome

[elisawh]

Hi Everyone!

I should understand all of this after having Hasimotos for 25 plus years but as much as I study I still don’t know much. My recent test results make no sense. If anyone could give me their take on these I would so appreciate it!

[Wetsuiter]

My short (middle of the night) take is that you need an increase in medication

[greygoose]

What makes no sense? Your high antibodies are just saying that you have Hashi's - which you already knew. Antibodies fluctuate all the time, it doesn't mean anything.

Your TSH is too high because your FT4 is too low - only 10% through the range! - and therefore your FT3 is probably much too low, as well. But, you don't say what you're taking - are you taking T3, or are you relying solely on conversion for your T3? Either way, you need and increase of something.

[elisawh in reply to greygoose]

Thank you! I am on Armour Thyroid 120. I guess I’m just not used to seeing it as when I look back they usually only test for TSH and free T4

[greygoose in reply to elisawh]

The antibodies, you mean? Well, it is rather strange they tested for them as they already know you have Hashi's.

[radd]

elisawh,

Welcome to our forum,

Gosh, well at least this shows you still have some gland left even after 25 years of Hashi!

Where these results after investigations into feeling suddenly unwell? ie, have you taken excess iodine recently or had a virus that could have instigated this Hashi attack? Is your doctor further investigating these results for other causes?

If I was you I concentrate on reducing TGAb’s in an effort to calm the immune response and retain as much gland as possible. Are you gluten free? Are nutrients & iron levels optimal?

TSH is high to encourage your low levels of thyroid hormone to increase. If you supply more details such as if you are medicating and if so what and how much, members will comment.

[elisawh in reply to radd]

Thank you! Yes I am on Armour Thyroid 120 and not taking iodine. It was just a check up and I feel crappy as I always have over the years . My doctor is finally referring me to a specialist. I am not gluten free and have not been checked for that yet. I did have a 2 week bout of Covid back in the beginning of November. Not bad enough to go to hospital and haven’t been vaccinated.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

TSH is far too high and Ft4 too low

Request 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks later

Always test early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

If not already on strictly gluten free diet

Have you had coeliac blood test done …if not get tested

5% of Hashimoto’s are coeliac, but further 80% find strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential

[elisawh in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you! Armour Thyroid 120. Levo and synth always made me feel worse. For some reason they didn’t test supplements but I am taking b-12, D3 /K2, magnesium, etc

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to elisawh]

On NDT you would expect very low TSH, well below one, when adequately treated

did you test as early as possible in morning, and day before test and did you split your Armour into 3 smaller doses spread through the day and taking last dose 8-12 hours before test

Obviously need to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

Are you gluten free