Recent blood results : My son 28 was diagnosed... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,246 members166,491 posts

Recent blood results

Lanvere profile image
47 Replies

My son 28 was diagnosed with hashinotos in 2016 and given levothyroxine...consultant took him off levo 2 years ago ...advising GP to reinstate when TSH gets to 10 ...surely he needs levo now ...his bloods look awful and he feels really unwell ...off sick with low mood and anxiety ...has a follow-up with gp Tuesday to discuss and I would appreciate any advice..I've read recently that untreated hypothyroidism can lead to non alcoholic fatty liver disease particularly in men. Could this be happening here ?

Written by
Lanvere profile image
Lanvere
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
47 Replies
Lanvere profile image
Lanvere

2nd page

B
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

There’s no thyroid or relevant vitamin results here

Sounds like endocrinologist was diabetes specialist

With Hashimoto’s and symptoms if TSH is over 5 should be prescribed levothyroxine

Once on levothyroxine levothyroxine should be increased slowly upwards in 25mcg steps until TSH is ALWAYS below 2

Most people when adequately treated will have Ft4 and Ft3 at least 70% through range and frequently TSH will be around or under one

For full Thyroid evaluation your son need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

You already know he has Hashimoto’s

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Having had levothyroxine stopped he likely has terrible vitamin levels

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am

(and once back on levothyroxine….last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test )

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 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/

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies) 

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here 

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

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

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...

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toSlowDragon

Page 2 was missing from picture which shows some vit tests and tsh his vit D is 7

N
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLanvere

make urgent appointment with GP

Folate is severely deficient

B12 is severely deficient

Vitamin D is severely deficient

TSH over 5 confirms he must be started on levothyroxine

Standard starter dose of levothyroxine is 50mcg

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

ALWAYS book early morning test at around 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Meanwhile ESSENTIAL To be improving low vitamin levels

Can’t see any iron/ferritin test results

He needs full iron panel test for anaemia including ferritin

And coeliac blood test

All this is DIRECT RESULT of endocrinologist inappropriately stopping levothyroxine

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

standard starter dose of levothyroxine is 50mcg

Dose is increased slowly upwards in 25mcg steps until on approx 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo per day

Many people find different brands of levothyroxine are not interchangeable

Once he works out which brand suits best …..try to always get same brand

pathlabs.rlbuht.nhs.uk/tft_...

Guiding Treatment with Thyroxine: 

In the majority of patients 50-100 μg thyroxine can be used as the starting dose. Alterations in dose are achieved by using 25-50 μg increments and adequacy of the new dose can be confirmed by repeat measurement of TSH after 2-3 months. 

The majority of patients will be clinically euthyroid with a ‘normal’ TSH and having thyroxine replacement in the range 75-150 μg/day (1.6ug/Kg on average).

The recommended approach is to titrate thyroxine therapy against the TSH concentration whilst assessing clinical well-being. The target is a serum TSH within the reference range. 

……The primary target of thyroxine replacement therapy is to make the patient feel well and to achieve a serum TSH that is within the reference range. The corresponding FT4 will be within or slightly above its reference range.

The minimum period to achieve stable concentrations after a change in dose of thyroxine is two months and thyroid function tests should not normally be requested before this period has elapsed.

Starting levothyroxine - flow chart 

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle

NHS N.I.C.E guidelines for thyroid disease diagnosis and treatment: say patient CAN be started on Levo BEFORE TSH gets to 10 under some circumstances ~ if symptoms of hypothyroidism are an issue, he could be started on levothyrxoine when TSH is "over range but under 10" on two occasions 3 months apart . and raised TPOab (previous Hashimoto's diagnosis) should be taken into account , in the decision to treat before TSH gets to 10.

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145

(*note ~ 'subclinical hypothyroidism' means "TSH is over reference range ,while fT4 is still within range")

"1.5 Managing and monitoring subclinical hypothyroidism

Tests for people with confirmed subclinical hypothyroidism

Adults

1.5.1Consider measuring TPOAbs for adults with TSH levels above the reference range, but do not repeat TPOAbs testing.

Treating subclinical hypothyroidism

1.5.2When discussing whether or not to start treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism, take into account features that might suggest underlying thyroid disease, such as symptoms of hypothyroidism, previous radioactive iodine treatment or thyroid surgery, or raised levels of thyroid autoantibodies.

Adults

1.5.3Consider levothyroxine for adults with subclinical hypothyroidism who have a TSH of 10 mlU/litre or higher on 2 separate occasions 3 months apart. Follow the recommendations in section 1.4 on follow-up and monitoring of hypothyroidism.

1.5.4Consider a 6-month trial of levothyroxine for adults under 65 with subclinical hypothyroidism who have:

a TSH above the reference range but lower than 10 mlU/litre on 2 separate occasions 3 months apart, and

symptoms of hypothyroidism.

If symptoms do not improve after starting levothyroxine, re-measure TSH and if the level remains raised, adjust the dose. If symptoms persist when serum TSH is within the reference range, consider stopping levothyroxine and follow the recommendations on monitoring untreated subclinical hypothyroidism and monitoring after stopping treatment."

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle in reply totattybogle

I don't know if any of his other 'out of range' results are relevant to this, but i will add it incase it's helpful:

NHS N.I.C.E Clinical knowledge Summary

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypo...

Complications of untreated or undertreated hypothyroidism include:

Impaired quality of life due to symptoms such as fatigue.

Cardiovascular

Dyslipidaemia [Chaker, 2017]

Several studies, including a large epidemiological survey (n = 25,862), have identified a relationship between increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and dyslipidaemia [Canaris et al, 2000; Pearce, 2013].

Metabolic syndrome [Chaker, 2017]

Hypothyroidism is associated with a decrease in insulin sensitivity, including direct effects on insulin secretion and clearance, leading to potential insulin resistance and increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome [Pearce, 2013].

Coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke

A large meta-analysis including over 50,000 people from 11 prospective cohort studies found a statistically significant association between CHD mortality at TSH levels greater than 7 mU/L, and for cardiovascular events at TSH levels greater than 10 mU/L [Rodondi et al, 2010].

Epidemiological studies have shown an association between subclinical hypothyroidism and CHD in people younger than 65 years of age, and in those with TSH levels higher than 10 mU/L [Pearce, 2013; Okosieme, 2015; Bekkering, 2019]. The European Thyroid Association (ETA) guideline notes that the evidence regarding subclinical hypothyroidism and CHD events and mortality in the literature is conflicting [Pearce, 2013].

A large meta-analysis of 55 cohort studies (n = 1,898,314) found that people with hypothyroidism, compared with euthyroid controls, had higher risks of ischaemic heart disease (relative risk [RR] 1.13), myocardial infarction (RR 1.15), cardiac mortality (RR 1.96), and all-cause mortality (RR 1.25). A diagnosis of SCH was also associated with an increased risk of ischaemic heart disease and all-cause mortality. It found no significant association between hypothyroidism and risk of stroke, heart failure, or atrial fibrillation [Ning, 2017].

A retrospective cohort study of general practice patients with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism (n = 160,439) with a median follow-up of six years, found an increased risk of ischaemic heart disease and heart failure in people with high TSH concentrations (greater than 10 mU/L), with a hazard ratio of 1.18 and 1.42 respectively. In addition, increased all-cause mortality was observed with a hazard ratio of 2.21 [Thayakaran, 2019].

Heart failure

Untreated overt hypothyroidism has been associated with an increased risk of diastolic heart failure [Biondi, 2012; Chaker, 2017].

Subclinical hypothyroidism may be an independent risk factor for the development of heart failure and for progression of existing heart failure [Pearce, 2013; Chaker, 2017].

Neurological and cognitive

Overt hypothyroidism is associated with:

Decreased taste, vision, or hearing [Chaker, 2017].

Impaired attention, concentration, memory, language, executive function, and psychomotor speed [Gaitonde et al, 2012; Chaker, 2017].

Data on the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and cognitive impairment are inconsistent [Biondi, 2019].

One systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 studies (n = 19,944) found no evidence of an association between subclinical hypothyroidism and cognitive impairment in adults over 60 years of age [Akintola, 2015].

A meta-analysis of 15 studies on the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and depression (n = 12,315) found that people with subclinical hypothyroidism had a higher risk of depression than euthyroid controls (relative risk 2.35), and this was particularly marked in the older population cohort [Loh, 2019]."

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypo...

Management of subclinical hypothyroidism

"Consider offering a 6-month trial of LT4 monotherapy in adults less than 65 years of age if:

The TSH level is above the reference range but lower than 10 mU/L and FT4 is within the reference range on 2 separate occasions 3 months apart, and

There are symptoms of hypothyroidism.

If symptoms do not improve after starting LT4 therapy, measure the TSH level and if it remains raised, adjust the dose of LT4. Once the TSH level is stable (2 similar measurements within the reference range 3 months apart), check TSH annually.

If symptoms persist when the TSH is within the reference range, consider stopping LT4 therapy, and assess for alternative causes of symptoms.

Recheck serum lipids if needed, to see if they have improved or whether management for dyslipidaemia is needed. See the CKS topics on CVD risk assessment and management and Lipid modification - CVD prevention for more information."

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply totattybogle

Just back from doctors...shes refused to put him back on thyroxine or give him B12 supplements because she says they are all normal and she can't override the consultant and must wait for a TSH of 10.. basically sent him away with advice on alcohol use coz his liver enzymes are raised ..I'm so angry 😠

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle in reply toLanvere

That's not on ... push back . ( tricky when it's not actually you ,and son is adult .. but try anyway)

put the references/ and request for levo in writing for the attention of Dr whatsit . maybe send a copy to the practice manager too while your at it , and say you've done this in your letter to Dr whatsit.

Since she's effectively 'copped out' of using the NIICE guidleines by passing the buck back to the endo saying 'he's in charge of this case' ...request she ACTUALLY contacts the endo now and informs him of the CURRENT symptoms and the urgency re. inability to work due to them.

The endos' instructions to her were made when you son was feeling well ... the situation has changed .. he is now very symptomatic , and so obviously if the endo IS still in charge of his care , then the endo needs to be updated , so he can tell her if his advice re '10' still stands in these changed circumstances ( since she appears not to be able to use her own brain or autonomy to help your son )

Also put something about requiring a response by 'x' date with an explanation IN WRITING of her refusal to follow NICE guideline re" 2 x TSh over range + symptoms + antibodies = consider levo" in your sons case.

Hope that is some use .. hopefully others will chime in with idea' s of 'what now'

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Low vitamin D

GP should prescribe LOADING dose vitamin D

That’s 300,000iu over 6-8 weeks

And retest vitamin D levels at end of the course

NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required

ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...

He will require ongoing daily vitamin D everyday

GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol.

Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...

But with Hashimoto’s, improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing 

vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.

There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7. 

One spray = 1000iu

amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...

Another member recommended this one recently

Vitamin D with k2

amazon.co.uk/Strength-Subli...

It’s trial and error what dose we need, with thyroid issues we frequently need higher dose than average

Vitamin D and thyroid disease 

grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...

Vitamin D may prevent Autoimmune disease 

newscientist.com/article/23...

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Interesting article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium 

drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

B12 deficiency

His B12 is so low he will definitely need B12 injections

Typical to start with several B12 injections over 1-3 weeks….this is called LOADING B12

GP should test for Pernicious Anaemia before starting injections

Is your son vegetarian or vegan ?

No doubt he has plenty of Low B12 symptoms 

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

methyl-life.com/blogs/defic...

wether he then continues with injections every 1-3 months or changes to daily B12 supplements depends on GP and local policies

Daily B12 supplements

B12 drops 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

or

B12 sublingual lozenges 

amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Note that improving folate when B12 is very low is not a good idea. Taking folate before B12 is good enough can lead to severe neurological problems.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subac...

It is vital if you intend to supplement both B12 and folate that B12 is started a week before the folate.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

At least 48 hours after first B12 injection GP should be prescribing folic acid for folate deficiency

When he finishes Folic acid supplement in 2-3 months

He can then start to self supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) 

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid 

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) 

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20 

If you want to try a different brand in the meantime, one with virtually identical doses of the ingredients, and bioavailable too, then take a look at Vitablossom Liposomal B Complex. Amazon sometimes has it branded Vitablossom but it's also available there branded as Yipmai, it's the same supplement

amazon.co.uk/Yipmai-Liposom...

or available as Vitablossom brand here

hempoutlet.co.uk/vitablosso... &description=true

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when he stops vitamin B complex, he might want to consider taking a separate methyl folate supplement and continue separate B12

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins)

once serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), may be able to stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH

As your son has severe vitamin D, folate and B12 deficiency in reality his TSH is likely significantly higher than 7

What were his thyroid results 2 years ago that endocrinologist incorrectly told him to stop levothyroxine?

He will need to SLOWLY increase levothyroxine upwards in 25mcg steps over coming months

But essential to get all four vitamins at optimal levels to help levothyroxine work well

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toSlowDragon

His Tsh was 1.68 and his T4 was 21.5 and his T3 was 6 so good I think but he took him off 100mcg levo coz said he was subclinical

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle in reply toLanvere

If he felt well at that time, then taking him off Levo when autoimmune thyroid disease had already been diagnosed was idiotic .Those result were good BECAUSE he was taking Levo.

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply totattybogle

This has made me so angry ...he has just started a new job and is now off sick 😫...can I just ask ...my son wants to lose weight because he has increase a lot and wants to do the Cambridge meal replacement diet. High protein low carb do uou think it would be OK for him

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLanvere

Absolutely not …. Shakes are full of soya

All thyroid patients need to avoid all soya

He needs good quality real food

Plenty of protein and good fats

Steak and salad

Salmon and broccoli and carrots

Etc etc

Limit beige carbs - potatoes, rice cakes etc

Highly likely to benefit from strictly gluten free diet

But get coeliac blood test done first

Weight will fall off once he’s on decent dose levothyroxine and all vitamins at optimal levels

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toSlowDragon

Just back from doctors...shes refused to put him back on thyroxine or give him B12 supplements because she says they are all normal and she can't override the consultant and must wait for a TSH of 10.. basically sent him away with advice on alcohol use coz his liver enzymes are raised ..I'm so angry 😠 completely ignore me with my notes and dismissed all I said about treatment

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLanvere

make an appointment with different GP at same surgery NOW ….today

Vitamin D result is 7 (50-200)

Severely deficient

Folate result 1.1 (3-20)

Severely deficient

B12 Result 174 (200-910)

Severely deficient

Write letter to practice manager

With these results

Say GP has refused to treat

Print out this flow chart on starting levothyroxine

With TSH over 5, and high Thyroid antibodies and multiple vitamin deficiencies and symptoms he should be started back on levothyroxine IMMEDIATELY

Starting levothyroxine - flow chart 

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...

Roughly where in U.K. are you

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of thyroid specialist endocrinologists and doctors

tukadmin@thyroiduk.org

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toSlowDragon

I couldn't get another appointment but have written an email to the practise manager and his usual doctor who is in tomorrow requesting an urgent review of his bloods and history ..insisting they start the correct treatment immediately. If I don't get the correct response will take further...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLanvere

come back and update us on progress

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toSlowDragon

Will do ..many thanks

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLanvere

Has this GP prescribed folic acid supplements

With such low B12 he must not start any folic acid supplements or folate until 48 hours after first B12 injections or week after starting B12 daily supplements

Note that improving folate when B12 is very low is not a good idea. Taking folate before B12 is improved can lead to severe neurological problems.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subac...

It is vital if you intend to supplement both B12 and folate that B12 is started a week before the folate.

suggest you ask advice on PAS Healthunlocked too

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toSlowDragon

I don't often comment on other admin's good comments.

But this B12 issue cannot be overemphasised. B12 must be addressed before folate.

Lanvere I implore you to go to the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum (as linked above) and post there (as well as carrying on here).

He really needs to be tested for Intrinsic Factor antibodies.

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle in reply toLanvere

as slowdragom says ... no , don't let him do 'dieting' .. do 'good quality food' with plenty of nutrients and protein in it , he needs it , and the weight will sort itself out once the thyroid is properly medicated again and over then next few months as his body and metabolism has chance to start working properly again .

I'm so angry for him too.

Get him put back on Levo NOW ....don't let him get fobbed off with "it might get better wait 3 months" etc .. Tell them his work is affected NOW and his job is at stake NOW, and they already have the diagnosis so they don't need to wait the usual 3 moths to confirm a raised TSH.. They already know it will only get worse due to the Hashimoto's diagnosis.

Make sure they start at 50mcg not 25mcg . be pushy , put the references we've given you under his and his GP's noses ~ and then make sure he get retested after 6 weeks on 50mcg and make sure they then increase the dose until he is well again .

Don't take no for an answer (and while you're at it , somebody needs to ask the GP why he was put/ kept on antidepressants instead of treating his existing already diagnosed condition , which is known to cause / worsen depression.)

Tell him to be optimistic , hopefully once back on levo he will begin to feel some improvements fairly soon, even within the first month , those improvements may not last for the the first 6 weeks .. improvement is likely to be a bit 'up and down' over the first 6 months or longer while the doses are increased .. it's a bit "2 steps forward , One step back" ... i was diagnosed with TSH 6.8 after being left untested for about 4 years while i got slowly worse while nobody realised hypothyroidism was the issue.

I started on 50mcg and i do remember saying to the 'i felt about 75% better for a couple of weeks , but now i don't" , but then as dose was increased to 100mcg i felt better for a few months until it need increasing again. to about 125 /150 ish .

once he is back on Levo , don't let them leave him with TSH 'just back in range' .. use this list of references to make sure GP's keeps increasing dose until he feels consistently well :

list of references recommending GP's keep TSH between about 0.5 -2/ 2.5 ish when on Levo : healthunlocked.com/thyroidu.... (-list-of-references-recommending-gps-keep-tsh-lower)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Helpful Quote from another members GP ,on what to expect when starting treatment for hypothyroidism:

"The way my new GP described it was ..."You know how your body is continually breaking down and rebuilding itself? Well, the thyroid controls the rebuilding, so if it isn't working you carry on breaking down but don't rebuild properly. Your body now has a lot of catching up to do, which will take a minimum of 12 months, probably a lot longer...." or words to that effect. He also said it would be a saw tooth recovery (get better, go backwards a bit, get better, go backwards a bit) and he's been right so far."

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLanvere

NEVER agree to stopping levothyroxine or even reducing dose if Ft3 isn’t over range

His levels were GOOD because he was on replacement thyroid hormones

Now he’s extremely unwell and at risk of neurological damage through extremely deficient B12 and folate as direct result

I would put in official complaint regarding this endocrinologist …..once your son’s recovered

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Lastly

He needs full iron panel test including ferritin

He also needs coeliac blood test

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

1.1 Recognition of coeliac disease 

1.1.1 Offer serological testing for coeliac disease to:

people with any of the following: 

persistent unexplained abdominal or gastrointestinal symptoms 

faltering growth

prolonged fatigue 

unexpected weight loss

severe or persistent mouth ulcers

unexplained iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency

type 1 diabetes, at diagnosis

autoimmune thyroid disease, at diagnosis

irritable bowel syndrome (in adults)

first‑degree relatives of people with coeliac disease.

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common. 

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's test positive for coeliac, but a further 80% find strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential due to gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link) 

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies 

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet 

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially) 

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/296...

The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported

nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...

In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Likely eventual dose levothyroxine based on weight

Typically will take 6-12 months to correct vitamin deficiencies and increase levothyroxine slowly up to full replacement dose

Gluten free- takes 6-12 months to heal gut

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you so much for your support on this ...its such a shame he started a new job in November and is now off sick but at least we now have something to work with ...I'm really angry the endo took him off levo ...he was doing OK and now it will take months to get him back on track

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLanvere

He will likely need months signed off work

All completely unnecessary

why on earth were bloods retested 6-8 weeks after stopping levothyroxine and again every 3 months

Extremely poor care

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toSlowDragon

Because I don't think the gp has ever taken his thyroid seriously ...I can't find the copy of the endo letter but I'm sure it said something about retesting ...the doc remarked that they hadn't seen him in a while other than for his anti depressants and as he feels grotty all the time anyway he would not have thought to have asked to see her ...he lives alone in a flat so I'm not always aware of how he is and he seemed to be doing OK until his anxiety ent though the roof with the change in work

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLanvere

Depression and anxiety are classic hypothyroid symptoms, especially with Hashimoto’s

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLanvere

he needs a supportive adult to go with him to all future consultations until he is properly well

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toSlowDragon

Yes I'm going on Tuesday wirh him and the doctor is pretty good with him so hopeful will all work out but got my notes in case 😄

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toLanvere

His usual doctor is rubbish but this one's new and seems very supportive

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toLanvere

How wrong was I shut me down and doing nothing

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

make sure B12 is started at least 48 hours BEFORE he starts folic acid supplement

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toSlowDragon

Will do .. I've written loads of notes from today's replies and am so grateful for the support

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Presumably GP has actually prescribed vitamin D at loading dose ?

300,000iu vitamin D in total over 6-8 weeks

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toSlowDragon

Yes they have done that

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLanvere

Did she prescribe folic acid ?

If so …..do NOT start it

Insist on testing for Pernicious Anaemia and B12 injections FIRST

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toSlowDragon

No and refused b12 supplementation said Active B12 is normal so doesn't need ...I written a letter of complaint

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLanvere

NHS doesn’t ever test active B12

What on earth is she on about

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toSlowDragon

It was a cobalmin test with anything over 30 being normal but no upper limit his result said because active b12 was 68 not true deficiency so no action necessary...in my email I said as no upper limit result over 30 would always be normal so clearly 68 is not normal for him

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLanvere

So you are going to need to start him on separate B12 drops - or lozenges

Then after week taking B12 everyday add folic acid

B12 drops 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

natureprovides.com/products...

Or

B12 sublingual lozenges 

amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Has GP organised blood test for coeliac disease

If not get that booked up now

And ultrasound scan of thyroid too

Lanvere profile image
Lanvere in reply toSlowDragon

No but requested scan in my email

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Recent blood results

Hi I went back to my gp to ask for a repeat on my bloods. I took all the recommended blood work...
Whitney2017 profile image

recent results

Hi I would b so grateful for any help with my resent result. I , after the consultants visit agreed...
Rowing2 profile image

Recent blood results

hi all these are my recent blood results as ever GP wouldn’t test T3 or T4 only TSH the reason I...
alysonkerry- profile image

Recent blood results

Just got my recent bloods tsh o.04 t4 20 and t3 is now 4.8 so changed since november am I now...
Toddy66 profile image

Recent Results

Hi. I hope you all had a happy Christmas and wishing everybody a very happy and healthy...

Moderation team

See all
RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator
Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.