Blood test query

[Mrsfatley]

Hi I recently had a private blood test done as it was easier than going through my GP. I spoke to my GP about the results and he said he wasn't worried about them though further investigation was required.

I have had underactive thyroid for 20 years on 75mcg levothyroxine daily. Fed up with weight gain, lethargy and not sleeping well to name a few of the continuing symptoms.

My question is does the high anti thyroglobin mean I have Hashimo's? And could that have been the cause of my underactive thyroid?

Many thanks, Heather

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Mrsfatley

My question is does the high anti thyroglobin mean I have Hashimo's? And could that have been the cause of my underactive thyroid?

Although thyroglobulin antibodies can be raised in other conditions, it's quite likely that this is the cause of your hypothyroidism.

CRP and Ferritin are both raised. CRP is an inflammation marker and ferritin rises with inflammation, so I imagine inflammation is the cause of your high ferritin here.

Magnesium, when serum magnesium test as here, isn't a reliable test. About 99% of magnesium is stored in bone, muscles and soft tissues, leaving about 1% in the blood. So testing what's in the blood isn't giving an accurate picture of our magnesium status.

A red cell magnesium test is the better indicator of magnesium status, not the standard serum magnesium test; however, it is expensive and requires venous blood draw so isn't included in these test bundles.

FT4 and FT3 are low in range at 46% and 8.92% through range respective. Your low FT3 shows poor conversion of T4 and T3 and this will be causing symptoms.

Vit D at 72nmol/L would be better within the range recommended by the Vit D Society and Grassroots Health, ie 100-150nmol/L with a recent blog post on Grassroots Health recommending at least 125nmol/L. Do you supplement?

Folate is recommended to be at least half way through range so with that range the aim is about 35 plus. Maybe consider a good quality bioavailable B Complex such as Thorne Basic B.

B12 is over range, do you supplement? It's not a worry if it's over range through supplementing.

[Mrsfatley in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi thank you for your response. No I do not supplement, maybe I should. I agree I should be taking a higher dose but you know what GPs are like in range so thyroid function is good, but I will try. Thanks again.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First step is to increase the dose levothyroxine to 100mcg and retest in 6-8 weeks

Request 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine from GP

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand

Always test thyroid levels early Monday or Tuesday morning, before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Are you on strictly gluten free diet

If not, get coeliac blood test done via GP ideally….or Lloyds do cheap one

BEFORE considering trialing strictly gluten free diet

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

Guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight is approx 1.6mcg per kilo per day

Use these guidelines to push for next 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

Roughly where in U.K. are you

You will almost certainly need T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologist and doctors who will prescribe T3

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[Mrsfatley]

Hi

Thank you for your reply. My test was done on Monday morning before breakfast and levothyroxine was last taken 24 hours prior. The brand is NorthStar made by Teva UK Ltd. Has been the same brand for 2 years. I did take T3 bought in Greece and Turkey in the past and felt better for it but with Covid didn't get away, hopefully will get some later on this summer.

My weight is 75kg I have been struggling to lose weight which prompted the blood test. No I am not gluten free, should I be?

I live near Bournemouth so will email for a list of endos in my area.

Thank you for your advice.