I have had Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis for circa 20 years and I still suffer from serious “hot flushes”. Thanks to the help and support of HealthUnlocked and Thyroid UK I finally had my Levothyroxine increased after circa 10 years (since giving up smoking) with all of my original symptoms having returned. The increased medications have improved my well-being and energy levels a great deal but I am still struggling with the "hot flushes" and trying to lose the weight I gained through diet and exercise. I think it sad that the GPs wouldn’t accept my symptoms and huge weight gain until I had the paperwork sent via Thyroid UK that I was and had been undermedicated for a significant amount of time.
However, the results of a blood test I had came back as Anti-thyroid microsomal antibodies 1: 102,400 is this the same as TPOab blood test? I want to get another private blood test for inflammation, thyroid antibodies and T3 but not sure what I should be asking for ie should I ask for microsomal antibody test or TPOab?
Thanking you all in advance. Stay well and don’t give up although if like me you might still be confused.
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Shylton
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Anti-thyroid microsomal antibodies are TPO antibodies, yes. But, I don't understand that number - 1: 102,400. Is that one hundred and two thousand, four hundred? Or one hundred and two point four?
In any case, if it's over-range, you have Hashi's, and there's really no point in retesting it because even if the number has decreased - and it well might have because they fluctuate all the time - you will still have Hashi's. The level of antibodies does not tell us the seriousness, or otherwise, of the disease. It is just an indication that we have it.
the number is correct, ie one hundred thousand plus. I just hadn't seen the microsomal on any blood tests before. I can cope with everything except the "hot flushes". I can't eat a hot meal as I drip with sweat and feel far too hot even with the fan going. Same when I exercise my clothes get soaked. My sleep is always interrupted as I get so hot during the night. I guess I would just like a solution to the "itis" part of it all otherwise now that my dosage has been increased I can cope with everything else.
Wow! That's high. But, it doesn't mean anything more than that you have Hashi's.
Don't know what you mean by I would just like a solution to the "itis" part of it all, but how long ago did you have the increase? It does take time for things to improve. Or, it could be that you're still under-medicated. 125 mcg is not a huge dose. But, even so, you do need FT4 and FT3 tested at the same time to see how well you convert. If you're a poor converter, and your FT3 is low, then you will still be hypo.
As SlowDragon says, multi-vits are really, really not a good idea. For all sorts of reasons. Far better to just take what you need. Hope your energy bars don't contain any soy!
Hello Thank you for your reply. It was the endocrinologist consultant who suggested multi vits, even told me which two shops to buy from. I did this sometime last year when I last saw her.
The itis bit is just my way of talking about what feels like my whole body is hot and inflamed. It's like being permanently wrapped in an electric blanket that is on full. Before my 40s I always felt cold then over the course of a few years it changed and I am always too hot and can't cool down, seriously unpleasant and embarrassing.
I don't like soy it actually stings my throat so stopped having it years ago, including any soy products.
A golden rule of life is to never, ever take nutritional advice from a doctor. They know nothing about nutrition. They don't learn about it in med school. You might just as well ask for advice from the chap sitting next to you on the bus! If I'd taken any of the nutritional advice doctors have given me, I'd probably be dead by now!
Here's a few reasons why you shouldn't be taking a multi-vit:
* If your multi contains iron, it will block the absorption of all the vitamins - you won't absorb a single one! Iron should be taken at least two hours away from any other supplement except vit C, which is necessary to aid absorption of iron, and protect the stomach.
* If your multi also contains calcium, the iron and calcium will bind together and you won't be able to absorb either of them.
* Multi's often contain things you shouldn't take or don't need : calcium, iodine, etc. These things should be tested before supplementing.
* Copper and zinc need to be kept balanced, but hypos are often high in one and low in the other - often low in zinc. So, both should be tested before supplementing. Taking either of them when you already high in it, will reduce the other and make you feel worse.
* Multi's often contain the cheapest, least absorbable form of the supplement : magnesium oxide, instead of magnesium citrate or one of the other good forms; cyanocobalamin instead of methylcobalamin; folic acid instead of methylfolate; etc. etc. etc. This is especially true of supermarket multis.
* Multi's do not contain enough of anything to help a true deficiency, even if you could absorb them.
* When taking several supplements, you should start them individually at two weekly intervals, not all at once as you would with a multi. Because, if you start them all at once, and something doesn't agree with you, you won't know which one it is and you'll be back to square one.
* Most supplements should be taken at least two hours away from thyroid hormone, but some - iron, vit D, magnesium and calcium (should you really need to take it) should be taken at least four hours away from thyroid hormone.
*Vit C should be taken 2 hours away from B12 because it affects how the body uses B12.
*Never take magnesium/zinc/calcium at the same time as they affect the absorption of each other.
*Take zinc and copper separately as zinc affects the absorption of copper, if you need to take both.
*Vits A/D/E/K are all fat soluble vitamins, and if taken together can compete for the source of fat. They are best taken away from each other.
* The magnesium you take - and just about everybody needs to take it - should be chosen according to what you want it to do:
Magnesium citrate: mild laxative, best for constipation.
Magnesium taurate: best for cardiovascular health.
Magnesium malate: best for fatigue – helps make ATP energy.
Magnesium glycinate: most bioavailable and absorbable form, non-laxative.
Magnesium chloride: for detoxing the cells and tissues, aids kidney function and can boost a sluggish metabolism.
Magnesium carbonate: good for people suffering with indigestion and acid reflux as it contains antacid properties.
Worst forms of magnesium: oxide, sulphate, glutamate and aspartate.
With a multivitamin, you are just throwing your money down the drain, at best, and doing actual harm at worst. Far better to get tested for vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin, and build up your supplementation program based on the results. A vitamin or a mineral is only going to help you if you need it, anyway. More of something you don’t need is not better, it's either pointless or even dangerous, as with iodine, calcium, iron or vit D.
As for telling you exactly where to buy it... Well, draw your own conclusions. It's like the doctor that told me exactly where to buy a new mattress... And tell them I sent you, he said!
I am prescribed 2000IU D3 once a day. Vit B 12 injections every 3 months. They haven't been testing for vitamins for a couple of years.Levo was tested recently after the increase to 125mcg from 100mcg and am now within the recommended range.
I also take multivitamins over 50s once a day. I make my own energy bars for protein which have all kinds of healthy goodies in them as I am a vegetarian. If it wasn't for the "itis" part of it all I could cope quite well. I guess after all these years I thought that the "itis" would be finished or under control. It actually makes me feel quite poorly.
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