? Hashimotos and ? Hypothyroid problems despite... - Thyroid UK

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? Hashimotos and ? Hypothyroid problems despite normal tsh.

Ally7 profile image
6 Replies

Hi again! Thanks for lots of help so far!

My gp tested my thyroid function tests but I’m going to ask if they did my t4 and t3 after getting advise here. Thanks!

Can the tsh be normal but t4 or t3 be abnormal and what would this indicate please?

I’m trying to find out if I have thyroid antibodies after discovering an old (2008) blood result of 127 for the tpo test which was never discussed with me or followed up despite hypo thyroid symptoms and having coeliac disease.

Thanks

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Ally7 profile image
Ally7
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Request thyroid and vitamin testing

Low vitamin levels common with coeliac and autoimmune thyroid disease

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH…..obscuring how hypothyroid patients might be

GP highly unlikely to know this

Just request full thyroid, including thyroid antibodies, vitamin D, magnesium, folate, ferritin, B12

Always test thyroid early morning, ideally before 9am

As coeliac you should have vitamin levels tested annually along with assessing coeliac levels

Ally7 profile image
Ally7 in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you, again, for helping. I really appreciate it.

greygoose profile image
greygoose

Can the tsh be normal but t4 or t3 be abnormal and what would this indicate please?

Yes, that's perfectly possible. And it would probably mean that you have a pituitary problem. TSH is a pituitary hormone. When the pituitary senses that there is not enough thyroid hormone in the blood, it increases production of TSH to stimulate the thyroid to make more thyroid hormone. When there is enough, the TSH drops. That's how the system works when it's healthy. But, if there is some sort of problem with the pituitary, and it's not functioning correctly, then the TSH will not rise when needed, and thyroid hormones will just drop lower and lower.

The problem is, in med school, doctors have been taught that the TSH tells them 'all they need to know', so that's basically all they look at. If you have high TPO antibodies, you have Hashi's. But, Hashi's fluctuates between too much thyroid hormone, and too little, so the TSH fluctuates too. If your doctor just happened to test you on a day when your TSH was in-range - I won't say 'normal' because that's not necessarily true - then he would ignore the antibodies and vitually everything else! That's probably what happened to you, I'm afraid. So, now, you need full thyroid testing to get a proper picture of what's going on. :)

Oh, and it is possible to have pituitary problems and Hashi's at the same time.

Ally7 profile image
Ally7

Oh i am glad I found this test result even if it turns out to be a false trail for me. They should tell us if we have bloods which are abnormal That could make sense of why I have some increased heart rate, high blood pressure, palpatations etc for no reason then it settles perhaps?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toAlly7

Always get copies of all your blood test results

Easiest way is to register for online access to your medical records

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toAlly7

Could well be, yes. :)

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