Thyroid test query

[C-thyroid]

Hello there,

I have been struggling with various symptoms (tiredness, weight gain, mh etc) for a while, and with a lot of family history asked for a thyroid test. I have received the results and told to come back in 3 months, but that doesn’t help for a while obviously!

I was recommended to post here as I’m not sure how to read these results, and not sure what they mean. I didn’t get to speak to the doctor and only the receptionist told me my results, so I didn’t really get much help there!

Thanks in advance x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Suggest you get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done yourself or via GP

These show slightly high Ft4 and Ft3 and low TSH

That’s typical with early stage autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Request GP test thyroid antibodies, vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Do you currently take any vitamin supplements

What’s your diet like

Are you vegetarian or vegan

Approx age?

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

Family history of autoimmune disease makes high thyroid antibodies likely

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, 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.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

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

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

If doing private testing do it early Monday or Tuesday morning. Don’t do in a heatwave as blood may get too hot in post to lab

[C-thyroid in reply to SlowDragon]

Hello, thanks so much for your reply.

I’m mid 20s, my mum has Hashimoto’s and a few other female family members have thyroid issues so that’s why I suspected thyroid before other conditions.

I’ve been vegetarian for about 8 years, started eating fish in the past year as thought that might help with my tiredness, I don’t take any vitamins or supplements.

Will definitely ask for antibody tests at 3 month retest, thank you again x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to C-thyroid]

If vegetarian and not on any supplements you are highly likely to have low/deficient B12 and/or ferritin

Strongly recommend getting full thyroid and vitamin testing done now

Test vitamin levels BEFORE starting any vitamin supplements

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...

academic.oup.com/nutritionr...

The present review of the literature regarding B12 status among vegetarians shows that the rates of B12 depletion and deficiency are high. It is, therefore, recommended that health professionals alert vegetarians about the risk of developing subnormal B12 status. Vegetarians should also take preventive measures to ensure adequate intake of this vitamin, including the regular intake of B12 supplements to prevent deficiency. Considering the low absorption rate of B12 from supplements, a dose of at least 250 μg should be ingested for the best results.3

We see hundreds of vegetarians and vegans on here with terrible vitamin levels

Come back with new post once you get results

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Those results show your TSH is low & thyroid hormones FT4 & FT3 are slightly elevated.

The TSH thyroid stimulating hormone is a pituitary hormone. When thyroid hormones (FT4 & FT3) are high - the TSH reduces to signal the thyroid reduce production of hormones.

Drs usually jump on high thyroid levels but as the levels have elevated appearance and not dangerously high they have likely made the decision to wait & monitor.

I do think 3 months is far too long & your next test should include thyroid antibodies.

Autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s) can start with transient hyper but as the thyroid is damaged in immune system attacks function reduces. There are other autoimmune condition which continuously stimulates thyroid (Graves) & if doctors later suspect this they must test the antibodies to confirm it.

I had elevated level many years (for a non autoimmune cause) & symptoms can be very similar to hypothyroid even though a doctor might describe it as being hypERthyroid.

Antibodies:

TPOab (Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies) elevated with Hashimoto’s & also present with Graves

TGab (Thyroglobulin antibodies) - common with Hashimoto’s & also often present Graves

Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI) - more associated in Graves

TRab) TSH receptor antibodies - (measures stimulating, neural & blocking antibodies) more associated with Graves

[C-thyroid in reply to PurpleNails]

Definitely going to ask for an antibody test when I book in next, thank you so much for your helpful reply! X

[Clydeiknowyou69]

I too have to return for bloods after three months. This will be the end of July. Awful tiredness, weight gain, itching. Dr says I'm showing signs of over active thyroid.