Help interpreting please

[River123]

Hello,

I am looking for some insight into my thyroid condition.

In 2006, I developed Graves’ disease. I was treated with PTU for 2 years. I went into remission and stopped meds.

My TSH lingered under 1 for many years.

When I was pregnant with my second child (in 2009) I was told I had Hashimotos antibodies in the thousands but I was monitored and stayed within parameters etc.

I last 3 years, my TSH has started to rise. It remained under 0.1 for many years but began to creep up….it reached 1.0, then 2.0….it has been up to 5….but then back down to about 3.

My T4 has lowered to around 10/12 and T3 was 4 last test.

Thyroglobulin antibodies 586

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 352

Health has slowly slipped into a shocking state in last couple of years. Very weak and crushingly exhausted every single day.

What do you all think?

[greygoose]

Sorry but we can't think anything much without the ranges for those results. Ranges vary from lab to lab, so we need those that came with your results.

However, a TSH over 5 is hypo, no matter what doctors mumble on about being over 10 - technically, you are hypo when it reaches 3, and in some countries would be treated at that level.

But, with Hashi's it's normal for levels to fluctuate due to the on-going attacks on the thyroid releasing hormone into the blood haphazardly. Doctors just don't know about that!

Did you actually have Grave's antibodies tested before being diagnosed with Grave's? Doctors are very lax about that and tend to 'diagnose' anybody with a low TSH as having Grave's, when in reality, you could have had Hashi's all along, because it starts with a 'hyper' phase.

[River123 in reply to greygoose]

Hello greygoose Thank you for your reply xx

Yes, I realised that I hadn’t added in reference ranges!

Yes…I was tested for graves antibodies at the time. They were very high.

I’m very confused as to whether I now have Hashimotos…or whether my antibodies are positive from Graves. And if my hypo swing is from my thyroid being destroyed from the graves.

I’m so confused about the antibodies!!

Waaaa!

I guess the treatment is the same either way, isn’t it?

[greygoose in reply to River123]

Not sure that Grave's antibodies destroy the thyroid, but Hashi's antibodies certainly do. Have you had Grave's antibodies retested recently?

But those TPO antibodies are so high, I don't think there's any doubt that you have Hashi's.

The treatment for hypo is the same whatever the cause: thyroid hormone replacement. The problem is, getting a diagnosis!

[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 at least once year minimum

Have you had vitamin levels tested, if not get tested via GP NOW or test privately

Low vitamin levels are extremely common with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

In U.K. medics never call it Hashimoto’s, just autoimmune thyroid disease (and they usually ignore the autoimmune aspect)

Please add actual thyroid results and ranges

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am

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 and money off codes

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 you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

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.

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...

Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue too. Request coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

Recognition of coeliac disease

1.1.1 Offer serological testing for coeliac disease to:

people with any of the following:

persistent unexplained abdominal or gastrointestinal symptoms

faltering growth

prolonged fatigue

unexpected weight loss

severe or persistent mouth ulcers

unexplained iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency

type 1 diabetes, at diagnosis

autoimmune thyroid disease, at diagnosis

irritable bowel syndrome (in adults)

first‑degree relatives of people with coeliac disease.