Symptoms but normal bloods: Can anyone shed some... - Thyroid UK

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Symptoms but normal bloods

Laralou36 profile image
47 Replies

Can anyone shed some light for me. I have had symptoms for 9 years of a thyroid issue. Fatigue, infertility, hair loss, recently aching joints, weight loss, occasional stomach issues. My blood results always come back normal I can never understand it!! Last year they found a nodule on my thyroid and I thought thank god finally a reason for my problems but my bloods are still normal!! The fatigue is debilitating and no one is listening to me. What can I do? My son has a thyroid issue and coeliac disease too

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Laralou36
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PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

Have you had nodule scanned? What was tested and what were results?

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toPurpleNails

Hiya, I’ve had the scan and the fine needle aspiration done, it came back as not cancerous but they are going to check me again in 6 months to be safe?

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator in reply toLaralou36

What about blood test results?

My abnormal levels was missed as the nodule was biopsied and determined as benign but according to subsequent notes “patient did not return for thyroid function blood test” not true - I had attended for blood test & even phoned to specifically ask if was my thyroid ok. Was told “normal” - no further action. But the thyroid part hadn’t been processed. I didn’t know to insist on viewing my own results so it was missed for another 7 months….

Near 5 Years prior to that the hospital didn’t follow up abnormal levels either.

GPs often don’t do full thyroid test so first step obtain & view your results.

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toPurpleNails

I just logged onto doctors and this was the recent blood result Serum TSH level (XaELV) 1.44 miu/L [0.35 - 5.5]

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (XE2m7) 5 mm/hr [1 - 12]

Coded entry Serum free T4 level (XaERr) 16.8 pmol/L [10.5 - 21]

Serum thyroid peroxidase antibody concentration (XabCy) 33 kU/L [0 - 60]

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator in reply toLaralou36

TSH & FT4 are in range. TPO antibodies are also negative a positive level would suggest autoimmune thyroiditis. NHS do not test Thyroglobulin TG antibodies if TPO negative.

Nor do NHS do not test FT3 the active & powerful thyroid hormone if TSH & FT4 “euthyroid” normal, If FT3 is low this can cause hypothyroid symptoms but you would expect a higher TSH.

You can order a private test if you wanted to check FT3 and be sure.

Also important to test B12, Folate, ferritin & vitamin D. Have these been tested recently?

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toPurpleNails

I think I will have to do that to be sure. I have recently had a private vitamin d test that came back low. The most recent of the others are from June 2021 and the results are Serum ferritin level (XE24r) 23.1 ng/ml [10 - 291] Information about this test

Serum folate level (42U5.) 17.31 ng/ml [> 5.38] Information about this test

Serum vitamin B12 level (XE2pf) 277 ng/L [211 - 911]

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator in reply toLaralou36

Was was your Vitamin D result? Was is treated? That Ferritin level is very low. GP should have investigated further if under 30. B12 Also low.

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toPurpleNails

Trying to treat the vitamin d levels at then moment it came back as 24 I don’t know the reference ranges. I don’t understand the gp always tells me the levels are fine because my hemaglobin is fine?

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator in reply toLaralou36

How much vit D have you been supplementing? You likely need loading doses. Do you know about Vit D co factors K2 & magnesium.

Under 30 ferritin is iron deficiency without anaemia (if haemoglobin normal). But Dr should have done iron panel.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

You need to test BOTH TPO and TG thyroid antibodies

Many autoimmune thyroid patients only have high TG antibodies, and 20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis) usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

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)

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

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

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s.

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

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...

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toSlowDragon

I’ve just found a blood result from 2018 free t4 was 4.92 (3.10-6.80) range. I will try having more bloods early in morning then

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator in reply toLaralou36

free t4 was 4.92 (3.10-6.80)

That’s a typical FT3 range (FT4 is usually higher range eg 12 - 22 - so Suspect that’s a typo) the result is 49% or range so wouldn’t indicate a thyroid issue, (at that time)

I still think it’s worthwhile doing to current level, and especially as nutrients have been so low. Very important to retest them.

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toPurpleNails

Yes definately going to get the whole lot re done Thankyou. Will post again with results

BB001 profile image
BB001 in reply toPurpleNails

I'm confused are you taking about fT3 or fT4. You've written fT4 but the range seems to be for fT3

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle in reply toBB001

No ,[3.1-6.8] IS a typical fT3 range. (very common on NHS and private tests posted on the forum)Typical fT4 ranges might be anything from [7-14] to [12 -22], [9-25] ish ... but you wouldn't get an fT4 range of [3-6] ish

I Suspect there was a typo/ misreading of results in the original comment.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

You should have been tested for coeliac disease when your son was diagnosed

Did that happen

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

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.

Fatigue, infertility, hair loss, recently aching joints, weight loss, occasional stomach issues.

Aching joints - low vitamin D

Hairloss - low iron/ferritin

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Your son should have vitamin levels tested annually too

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toSlowDragon

Hiya. Thanks for all the really helpful info. I have also been tested for coeliac disease multiple times over the past 9 years since having my son but they also come back as normal

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLaralou36

ALWAYS Worth trying strictly gluten free diet Only 5% of Hashimoto’s patients are coeliac but approx further 80% find strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toSlowDragon

I have tried before and felt a bit better but ended up losing a lot of weight which I can’t afford to do so went back to gluten. It’s a never ending cycle just want to feel better

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLaralou36

Recommend getting full thyroid and vitamin testing

If you can afford it Blue horizon test includes cortisol, can be useful indicator if adrenals are trying to compensate for lack of thyroid hormones

Come back with new post once you get results

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toSlowDragon

Ok will do thanks

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLaralou36

Just seen you added vitamin results

Serum ferritin level 23.1 ng/ml [10 - 291]

Serum vitamin B12 level 277 ng/L [211 - 911]

Vitamin D 24nmol (assuming you are in U.K. )

Ferritin is deficient

Vitamin D deficient

B12 so low you need testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting on B12 and vitamin B complex

All four vitamins need improving to OPTIMAL levels

Low vitamin levels, especially low ferritin tend to lower TSH making it difficult to get diagnosed

Are you vegetarian or vegan

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toSlowDragon

How can I get doctors to listen? Not vegetarian or vegan no.

Frankiewat profile image
Frankiewat in reply toLaralou36

Hi I am in the same position as you, I have very low Vitamin D and Folate, high ferritin yet "normal thyroid " apart from high antibodies. because these were done privately my GP wont accept them, he tells me I am depressed. I feel so ill and have lost my job but getting nowhere, except more and more unwell. I hope you fare better than I have. Take care

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toFrankiewat

So sorry you feel the same it’s horrible isn’t it. I’ve just signed up for private medical cover hope I can get somewhere

RoseF3 profile image
RoseF3 in reply toLaralou36

I was the same with low vitamin levels, ‘technically’ normal, within range thyroid results but horrible symptoms and positive antibodies. I went privately in the end and luckily went to an incredible endo who treated me based on my symptoms and I feel like a brand new person compared to how I felt before. I hope you find a decent endo to help you too.

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toRoseF3

Sorry to be dumb what does positive antibodies mean?

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator in reply toLaralou36

Antibodies have for example a 0-60 range or >60. Within the range or limit is normal (negative for signs of autoimmune) above the limit is positive.

What thyroid issue does your son have?

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toPurpleNails

He has an under active thyroid I think. They do bloods on him yearly because he has coeliac disease and then tsh kept creeping up so they started to treat him with thyroxine

BB001 profile image
BB001 in reply toLaralou36

Positive antibodies means your body is attacking your thyroid. Giving up gluten can help slow the attack.

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator in reply toBB001

It’s the immune system which attacks the thyroid, antibodies come along and clean up the debris from the damage which is left as a result of them.

So antibodies are part of the process but aren’t a measure of what’s attacking the thyroid.

BlueKeith profile image
BlueKeith in reply toLaralou36

Would be interested to hear how the private treatment goes please. I totally have had enough of my nhs practice. Well all doctors apart from one who I'm never allowed to have appointment with because we are not allowed to choose doctor. Hope you find help

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required

Vitamin D under 25nmol

GP obligated to prescribe LOADING Dose of 300,000iu vitamin D over 6-8 weeks and retest at end of prescription

ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...

GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol. Some CCG areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...

But improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing

vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.

There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7. One spray = 1000iu

amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...

It’s trial and error what dose we need,

Vitamin D and thyroid disease

grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...

Vitamin D may prevent Autoimmune disease

newscientist.com/article/23...

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...

In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency

Look at increasing iron rich foods in diet

Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption

List of iron rich foods

dailyiron.net

Links about iron and ferritin

An article that explains why Low ferritin and low thyroid levels are often linked

preventmiscarriage.com/iron...

irondisorders.org/too-littl...

davidg170.sg-host.com/wp-co...

Great in-depth article on low ferritin

oatext.com/iron-deficiency-...

drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...

This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.

Thyroid disease is as much about optimising vitamins as thyroid hormones

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...

Post discussing just how long it can take to raise low ferritin

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing.

It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron

Medichecks iron panel test

medichecks.com/products/iro...

Iron and thyroid link

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Posts discussing why important to do full iron panel test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Chicken livers if iron is good, but ferritin low

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Good explanations of iron

theironclinic.com/iron-defi...

theironclinic.com/ironc/wp/...

Why low ferritin needs improving

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Low B12

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Are you taking any folic acid or folate supplements

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toSlowDragon

Only on vitamin d and folate supplants at the moment

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply toLaralou36

Found another blood result recent for peroxidase also normal

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLaralou36

So is that a folate supplement you have bought or folic acid prescribed by GP?

GP should have tested for Pernicious Anaemia before starting any folate/folic acid supplements as they can mask B12 deficiency

If GP won’t test…..you will just need to start supplementing yourself

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial. This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B or Jarrow B Right are recommended options that contains folate, but both are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

B12 sublingual lozenges

amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In week before blood test, while stopping vitamin B complex, you might want to take a separate folate supplement and separate B12 supplement. Eg Jarrow methyl folate and Jarrow B12

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLaralou36

How much vitamin D

Is this prescribed by GP

Retest in 2-3 months

You will need ongoing maintenance dose vitamin D everyday

Hedgeree profile image
Hedgeree

Hi Laralou36,

I have previously been very deficient in vitamin D and more recently ferritin. A lot of the symptoms that you describe are similar to what I experienced tiredness, infertility, hair loss and aching bones and joints. I also felt very unwell. Once I started supplementing properly most of my bone aches and pains lessened.

Although I'm still in the process of being diagnosed I'm working on improving my ferritin levels now as I've been having a lot of hairloss.

The forum and admin here are very knowledgeable and will give you brilliant advice.

Take care.

bajmon profile image
bajmon

Hi, I'm not an expert but your blogs do look ok. I always thought that weight loss is more a symptom of hyper but fatigue is a symptom of hypo.Have you been checked for polycystic ovaries?

If your wit D is 24 this is very low as you should be at seeing 60-75 (at least what i was told by my Endo).

When my vit Dv levels were low, I had terrible joint and muscle aches, sleepless nights and all sort of symptoms. Since supplementing in feeling much better though I've been diagnosed with hypo and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

I think you would benefit from full thyroid function testing incl T3, both antibodies, full iron testing, wit D, B12 but you already have some experts here taking about this. And yes, any other illness that goes together with thyroid issues in pair like celiac, insuline resistente, polycystic ovaries.

Good luck

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply tobajmon

Weight loss is, as you say, commonly associated with hyper. By everyone - doctors and the rest of us.

But a minority of hypo people actually lose weight. The reason appears to be loss of muscle mass. Which can be serious as the heart is almost all muscle.

(Similarly, some hypers put on weight despite most losing weight.)

Laralou36 profile image
Laralou36 in reply tobajmon

Hiya thanks for your reply. I’ve had checks on my ovaries too. All ok. Will definately try and get my vit d levels up. Maybe the vitamin deficiencies are why I feel so rubbish

bajmon profile image
bajmon in reply toLaralou36

If there is no other issues and your blood really look ok thyroid wise then perhaps it's vitamins. I feel much better when supplementing vit D. But follow links of those who knows much more about vitamins which have already posted under your question. I know someone who ended up in hospital very such, coughing blood. All results were fine, no clear readings for it and get vit Dv was finally tested after weeks of illness. She had almost no vit D detected! That was the cause of her problems. In assuming your are not under Endocrinology care since your results are fine but consider private visit just in case. Good luck.

janeroar profile image
janeroar in reply toLaralou36

Vitamin D is actually a hormone so low level is as bad as having low level of other hormones. The Better You spray with vitamin K is particularly good as you spray under tongue so not dependant on your digestive system absorbing it properly.

Verde1 profile image
Verde1

I have the same complaint! Take levotyroxine for 20 years. But still have symptoms...if you discover help share please.

wsenior profile image
wsenior

Perhaps you have autoimmune of the thyroid (Hashimoto's Disease). Many Hypothyroid sufferer' have it and never get diagnosed. Hypothyroidism in the case of Hashimoto's Sufferer's is merely 1 symptom of many autoimmune symptoms. Fatigue, memory and brain fog, stiffness, muscle/joint/tendon issues, exercise intolerance, etc....get treated with thyroid but often don't get better, why? partly because many Dr's are lazy and don't think outside the box (or their paycheck), and partly because there are many autoimmune symptoms that are not getting treated. If Dr's told you that thyroid will not fix most of your autoimmune symptoms you might not have so many return visits, dose changes, and labs to keep their bank accounts filled to the brim. Many play the blood test game with us to see if we have the "correct" levels of thyroid, vitamins, etc.......but it's an error to think getting perfect blood levels will fix the other autoimmune symptoms that result from our bodies' attacking itself. -

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