New blood test done

[Antibodie]

Tsh 1.7. T4 12.6 B12 482 got retested as teeth were getting loose and nails were splitting vertically. Doctor said blood test normal I take 50mg levithyroxin and my antibodies are high at 352

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Antibodie

Have you got reference ranges for these results please so that we can interpret them, ranges vary from lab to lab so we need the ranges that come with your results.

High antibodies confirm autoimmune thyroid disease - Hashimoto's - which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Are you gluten free? Some Hashi's patients find this helps although there is no guarantee.

Hashis's also tends to bring about low vitamin levels and deficiencies. Have you also had Vit D, Folate and Ferritin tested?

[Antibodie in reply to SeasideSusie]

GP said they don’t test for vitamin D just take a supplement my antibodies should be 34 and mine are 352

[Antibodie in reply to SeasideSusie]

TSH range(0.4–4.5. ) and T4 range (12–24)

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Antibodie]

Tsh 1.7. (0.4–4.5. )

T4 12.6 (12–24)

I stopped levithyroxine 48 hours before appointment at 9.30am

Leaving that long a time gap between last dose of Levo and test has given you a false low FT4 result. The correct time gap to give an average measure of your normal circulating T4 hormone is 24 hours. So your true FT4 result is higher that that but would most likely still be low in range, and your TSH is higher than most hypo patients would want it, most feel best when TSH is below 1. So it looks like there is room for a dose increase but getting a GP to do this when results are in range like this isn't easy, you would have to emphasise any symptoms that you are experiencing and ask if you could trial a higher dose of Levo.

GP said they don’t test for vitamin D just take a supplement

They may not test at your surgery but it is ridiculous to say just take a supplement. You need to know your level and you need to know what dose to take. So if necessary, those of us who can't get Vit D tested with our GP do a private test. The cheapest is with an NHS lab who offers a fingerprick blood spot test to the genral public for £29:

vitamindtest.org.uk/

Come back with your result and suggestions can be made if you need to improve your level.

Folate is necessary as it works together with B12.

Ferritin is necessary because it needs to be a certain level for thyroid hormone to work properly.

my antibodies should be 34 and mine are 352

As mentioned above, this confirms that the cause of your hypothyroidism is autoimmune (Hashimoto's), and I asked if you were gluten free. General information about Hashi's:

Hashimoto's which is where the immune system attacks the thyroid and gradually destroys it.

Fluctuations in symptoms and test results are common with Hashi's.

Most doctors dismiss antibodies as being of no importance and know little or nothing about Hashi's and how it affects the patient, test results and symptoms. You need to read, learn, understand and help yourself where Hashi's is concerned.

Some members have found that adopting a strict gluten free diet can help, although there is no guarantee.

Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks.

You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily is said to help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Did you do test early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Ft4 looks low (need range on results to confirm)

Essential to test vitamin D, folate and ferritin too

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Have you had coeliac blood test done

If not …… and if not already on strictly gluten free diet request GP do coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

[Antibodie in reply to SlowDragon]

I stopped levithyroxine 48 hours before appointment at 9.30am

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Antibodie]

Last dose Levothyroxine should be 24 hours before test

So you have false low Ft4 result as you left 48 hours

When were vitamin levels last tested

Suggest you

Either get FULL THYROID and vitamin testing done via Medichecks or Blue Horizon

Come back with new post once you get results

Or request dose Levothyroxine is increased to 75mcg and 50mcg on alternate days

Then do full thyroid and vitamin testing 6-8 weeks after dose increase

Which brand Levothyroxine are you currently taking

[Antibodie in reply to SlowDragon]

My previous blood test on 25/10/21 was T4 14.3 and TSH 1.32 I didn't stop levothyroxin on that occasion

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Antibodie]

50mcg Levothyroxine is only a starter dose

How long have you been on just 50mcg

Request increase of 12.5mcg per day

Retest in 6-8 weeks

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

Which brand Levothyroxine are you currently taking

Many people find different brands are not interchangeable

[Antibodie in reply to SlowDragon]

I've been on brand name ALMUS from August 2021

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Antibodie]

Accord is boxed as Almus via Boots or Northstar via Lloyds

Accord don’t make 25mcg tablets

So to increase by 12.5mcg request higher number of 50mcg tablets per month

Then either cut 50mcg in 1/4’s to add 12.5mcg every day

Or if tricky to cut in 1/4 - cut in half to get 25mcg and take every other day

[Countrykitten]

Away from all the good advice on levo dosage etc., I can sympathise with loose teeth. Ask your Dentist about Fibre Bonding. I had my loose lower teeth done five years ago. Much cheaper and easier than implants

[Antibodie in reply to Countrykitten]

Thanks for the advice I’ll speak to dentist