Thyroid Function Results: What do you think?

[GrumpyPug]

Hi all!

I suffer from fatigue and have recently done a thyroid function test and was wondering if anyone could help me interpret my results please?

Thanks in advance!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

GrumpyPug

Did you take the test no later than 9am and nothing but water before the test so that nothing affects TSH level?

A normal healthy person would generally have a TSH no higher than 2, often nearer 1, with FT4 around mid-range-ish.

Your TSH is slightly over range which could suggest that your thyroid is struggling; however, your FT4 is 50% through range which could be your normal level.

Is this your first test?

TSH can be raised in non-thyroidal illness so it would be worth retesting in 2-3 months.

Do you take B Complex or Biotin in any supplement? This can five false results unless it's left off for a few days before any blood test.

Did you get key nutrients tested - Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin? Low levels bring their own 6, fatigue being one of them and particularly so with low ferritin or low iron.

[GrumpyPug in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for the thorough response SeasideSusie!

Yes, I took this test before 9am and had nothing but water beforehand. I do take supplements but I stopped these 7 days before completing the test.

Key nutrients have been tested - my doctor said I'm not dangerously low in anything, but on the lower side in everything. Although iron deficiency seems to be a reaccuring issue for me. I've had a few thyroid tests done over the last few years and they've all come back with a raised TSH and "normal" everything else.

Thanks again for looking at this for me

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to GrumpyPug]

GrumpyPug

Key nutrients have been tested - my doctor said I'm not dangerously low in anything, but on the lower side in everything. Although iron deficiency seems to be a reaccuring issue for me.

Ask for a print out of these results (or if you have online access check there) and post results with reference ranges on the forum. This could well be the reason for your fatigue.

I've had a few thyroid tests done over the last few years and they've all come back with a raised TSH and "normal" everything else.

Is this the first time thyroid antibodies have been tested. If antibodies are raised when TSH is over range this suggests autoimmune thyroid disease (known to patients as Hashimoto's) which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism and is where the immune system attacks and gradually destroys the thyroid. Sometimes it's possible to have Hashi's without raised antibodies (just to complicate things!).

Do you have any symptoms of hypothyroidism besides fatigue - there is a check list on ThyroidUK's main website. I can't link to it because my PC is having a hissyfit but you can go to thyroiduk.org then click on "If you have hypothyroidism" then on "Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism", there is a link to a downloadable pdf check list.

[GrumpyPug in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ok, thank you! I'll see if I can find my other results and post them here

I believe this is the second time antibodies have been tested - previous time was much the same; normal antibodies, raised TSH.

I have a quite a lot of the symptoms (Fatigue, Palpitations, Anaemia, Repeated urinary tract infections, Lack of co-ordination, Heavy eyelids, Muscle cramps/weakness, Joint stiffness, Heat/cold intolerance, Alcohol intolerance, constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, flatulence, Head hair loss, Eyebrow loss (outer third), yellow pallor, bruising, Sore throats without infection, Sensation of lump in throat, Scanty periods, Heavy periods, PMS, Poor focusing, Noises in ears, Brittle nails, Migraines, Pressure headaches, Back and loin pain, Foot pain, Burning Feet, Mental sluggishness, nervousness/anxiety, low sex drive), but I have also been diagnosed with M.E/CFS, Endometriosis and Adenomyosis, so it's hard to determine what symptoms come from what at this point.

Thanks again for all your help

[SlowDragon Administrator]

What’s your diet like

Are you vegetarian or vegan

Gluten free or dairy free

Do you have autoimmune disease occurring in the family

How old are you approx, pre or post menopause?

[GrumpyPug in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your reply SlowDragon! Love the name!

My diet is pretty good - wholefood gluten free.

Autoimmune disease does run in the family - great grandmother had a thyroid disease (not sure which one). Antiphosphilipid syndrome and mixed connective tissue disease are in my immediate family. I also have a diagnosis of endometriosis and adenomyosis, which some argue is autoimmune.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to GrumpyPug]

As you are already on gluten free diet, TPO antibodies are less likely to be high

Suggest you consider getting ultrasound scan of thyroid

Private scan approx £100.

Google one near you

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

APS and Hashimoto’s often linked

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/204...

Many members on here with Hashimoto’s also have endometriosis ….yes it’s considered autoimmune

[GrumpyPug in reply to SlowDragon]

I will look into getting a scan. Thank you so much for all the links - you've been very helpful!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Please add the actual vitamin results and ranges

Work on improving all four vitamins to optimal

Vitamin D at least around 80nmol

Serum B12 at least over 500

Folate and ferritin at least half way through range

Optimal vitamin levels will either help improve thyroid levels or reveal that low vitamin levels were result of struggling thyroid

[GrumpyPug in reply to SlowDragon]

I will, I'm going to dig these out now! Thank you!