Hello everyone,
Today I received my results, and to be honest, I do not understand them at all. I am hoping someone able to explain them to me please?
My Mother and Nan, has an underactive thyroid, and my two aunts have an overactive thyroid. I have been experiencing similar symptoms to an underactive thyroid for such a long time, but the GP was not listening to me and tried to put me on antidepressants. So I paid for Medichecks and now do not know where I am still with my thyroid and what to say to my GP.
Medichecks Results:
"Hello Charlotte, thank you for choosing to monitor your health with Medichecks. I can see that you are taking this test as you suspect that your thyroid gland is underactive.
I’m pleased to report that your thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroxine and T3 are all normal which suggest healthy thyroid function.
Your thyroglobulin antibodies are positive. These antibodies are found in 1 in 10 normal individuals but can be associated with uncommon autoimmune thyroid diseases, especially Hashimoto’s disease.
Up to 25% of people with normal thyroid function will test positive for thyroid antibodies, the presence of thyroid antibodies does increase the likelihood that they may develop thyroid problems, however many will not go on to develop thyroid disease. I suggest monitoring your thyroid function on an annual basis, or more frequently if you develop new symptoms.
I hope you find this information useful
Best wishes
TSH 22 Mar 2022
2.34
mU/L
0.27 - 4.2 R
FREE T3 22 Mar 2022
5.58
pmol/L
3.1 - 6.8 R
FREE THYROXINE 22 Mar 2022
15.5
pmol/L
12 - 22 R
THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES
22 Mar 2022
364
IU/mL
< 115 R
What might a high result mean?
Elevated thyroglobulin antibodies mean that your immune system is attacking your thyroid gland. This can affect the gland's ability to produce thyroid hormones. If you already know that you have a thyroid condition, or your test results show that you are under-producing thyroid hormones, then an autoimmune condition is almost certainly the cause. Having elevated antibodies raises your risk of going on to develop a thyroid disorder so it is recommended that you regularly monitor your thyroid hormones, especially if you become symptomatic. However, some people with elevated antibodies never go on to develop a thyroid problem.
THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES
22 Mar 2022
31
IU/mL
< 34 R
What might a high result mean?
High levels of thyroid peroxidase antibodies mean that your thyroid gland is under attack from your own immune system. Elevated thyroid peroxidase antibodies are seen in both Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which causes an underactive thyroid, and Graves' disease, which causes your thyroid to be overactive. Elevated antibodies are often seen in people who already have a diagnosed thyroid condition or who have abnormal thyroid hormones, and can confirm the cause. In some people, thyroid antibodies can be high, but the production of thyroid hormones remains normal. However, having elevated antibodies increases your risk that you will develop a thyroid condition over time. It is therefore important to monitor your thyroid hormones regularly. Some people with raised antibodies never go on to develop a thyroid disorder."