Recent Thyroid Peroxidase Ab Results 44.43
Range is 0-5.9 but TSH within range (3.9). Does this mean I have sub clinical under active thyroid, and am I likely to need treatment? (Not due to see my GP for 3 weeks so keen to find out more info in meantime!) Thanks
Sub clinical hypothyroidism is where the TSH is elevated but the thyroid hormones (FT4 & FT3 - free thyroxine & triiodothyronine) are within range.
It means the thyroid working harder to keep up - so it often begins as sub clinical but when the thyroid can’t keeping up levels they also decline.
The TPO range of (0 - 5.9) looks very low. Can you check that?
If it is above range then you have stronger argument to commence treatment as levels approach under range. As The immune system is gradually destroying the thyroid & its ability to function.
TSH also in range but that’s higher than a healthy TSH which is usually around 1.
If the TSH goes above range the lab should test FT4 & FT3 & that’s the important measurement as TSH is not fool proof.
Hi, have tried to reply twice with screenshot of my ranges and Ft3/4 results but it doesn’t look like it’s worked either time?
Additionally my ferritin is low (24 so within range but range is 15-200) and read that may be causing higher TSH. Does this mean I may have iron absorption issue rather than underactive thyroid or does having the antibodies mean I have hasimitos? (Confused. Com!)
Might be easier to type in FT4 & FT3 results & ranges.
If that’s an accurate TPO range & result doctors should diagnose thyroid autoimmune. I have to say it’s a low range so I’m suspicious that something has been input wrong.
Doctors do tend to ignore antibodies as they can be treated but that’s not the issue you need the clarification.
Low ferritin should be investigated. Ferritin is inactive iron stores. iron may not be deficient but under 30 ug/L indicates ferritin deficiency. Low ferritin (& other nutrients) tend to LOWER the TSH.
Have you had folate, B12 and vitamin D tested?
There are private testing options which would give you a full picture for thyroid in 1 go & likely make quicker progress.
You order online and kit is sent via post. Sample taken by finger prick. Results are often available very quickly online.
For example Medichecks - advance thyroid package tests TSH, FT4, FT4, TPOab,TGab, folate, ferritin, B12 & vitamin D & C-Reactive Protein (inflammation marker)
There’s quite a few companies offering different combinations, this page list them & discount codes.
thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...
Thanks for your very helpful reply. I didn’t have Ft3/ft4 tested this time but my test in Feb was normal for that. Additionally, I got my results on the day after my blood test (weds) and yesterday got a text from Tesco to say my prescription was ready (I hadn’t requested any repeat prescription). Was there this morning so asked and Dr has done me a prescription for ferroess 210mg. No phone call/email, just that. I said to the pharmacist it’s a good job they texted me otherwise I wouldn’t have had a clue it had been prescribed. Wondering if they’ll just see if my symptoms improve on this for a few months before doing anything else?
Do another post explaining your ferritin results & if Doctor should prescribe Ferrous Fumarate without checking serum iron and full blood count for anaemia.
I read a little about a it but not as knowledgeable as others, I don’t want to say iron panel & FBC should be carried out first if that’s not the case.
Terrible to prescribe something without discussion & just assume chemist will let you know. Do you currently take other supplements or already supplements with iron?
How is your diet are you vegetarian/ vegan?
I did have a full blood count but loads of different results, probably too many to expect anyone to decipher! Are there some results which are more pertinent that I could include in a new post?
Red blood cell countHaemoglobin concentration
Haematocrit
Mean cell volume
Mean cell haemoglobin level
These would be on a full blood count test along with different types of white cell.
An Iron panel includes
* Serum iron test, which measures the amount of iron in the blood
* Transferrin test, which measures transferrin, a protein that moves iron throughout the body
* Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), which measures how well iron attaches to transferrin and other proteins in the blood
Hi when you say “Low ferritin (& other nutrients) tend to LOWER the TSH” do you mean the TSH goes towards 0 (ie better) or it gets a higher number (ie worse). Sorry I couldn’t work out which one you meant
The TSH would show lower but not necessarily because the thyroid levels were good.
The FT4 & FT3 might be low & the TSH should rise but doesn’t as much as you would expect.
So it likely wouldn’t drop but it wouldn’t reflect how high it should be.
TPOab ranges are usually be something like 0-34 or 0-50 ish .... so i think 0-5.9 is a typo ... can you check range.
if TPOab are over range then it indicates autoimmune thyroid disease .
people with this are more likely to end up eventually becoming hypothyroid ,and needing replacement thyroid hormone , but not everyone with over range TPOab will have symptoms or need to take thyroid hormone.
'subclinical hypothyroid' means the TSH is over range but the fT4 is still in range/ ok.
'hypothyroid' means the TSH is over range and the fT4 is now too low'
So your NHS results are not yet 'subclinical' because your TSH is still in range.
your GP is correct . TSH over 3ish is getting a bit suspect , and if your TPOab are over range they should re test at intervals to keep an eye out for your TSH rising further and fT4 levels falling .. but they can't offer treatment until the TSH goes over range and stays there. (on their tests)
They usually won't retest TSH for about 3 months if the last test was in range . (budget restrictions on lab tests)
Thanks 🙂
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