Results- thoughts pls?

[RichardBurton]

I had a work “MOT” test a few months ago which showed I had a very under active thyroid. It was however taken in the afternoon.

As a result I decided to get a full test from Blue Horizon which shows most things TSH/T4 in normal range. Previously my TSH was miles above range and T4 very low.

Would be interested in thoughts of others. I haven’t ever taken thyroxine ever in my life. Blood drawn around 10am. Fasted.

Results of Blue Horizon attached. Thanks.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group.

So the wording in red is your thyroid antibodies which are showing as above the reference range. That means you have an autoimmune thyroid condition called Hashimoto's disease where your thyroid is slowly destroyed. As it's destroyed it can no longer put out enough thyroid hormone and you will then have to take replacement hormone, usually levothyroxine for the rest of your life.

This blood result shows your TSH as just within the range. To get a diagnosis and treatment that TSH number has to be above 5 on 2 separate occasions with an NHS blood test. Always get blood tests fasting at or as close as possible to 9am as thats when it's highest.

So currently you thyroid is struggling and you likely have symptoms but a GP will not treat it yet. I would discuss this with your GP and show them your previous results and this and get them to monitor you every 4 months.

[Sleepman]

Welcome.

I hope you do not have too many symptoms yet. You are likely in a very good place, finding out so early and not after years of slow decline/suffering/damage.

I am a newbie/lightweight but there are some terrific posters on here, who share there knowledge so genorously.

I was only diagnosed in October with TSH of 78. I am now feeling much much better with a TSH of 5. My meds have just been increased again as a result as TSH should be 1 to 2, BUT it depends how you feel.

If you click on posters names, you see bio, which gives details of peoples experiences. I found this really useful.

Many of posters on here are in the smaller subset who really struggled.

There are many more who are much better and at the moment, I am in the luckier group that just need T4 / levo pills. Tablet first thing in the morning before food and coffee/tea.

I found thyroid uk paper info pack very good and concise.

Be careful with gut health,

I suffer with gluten and have been gluten free for over a year. Many autoimmune underactive thyroid sufferers like you have gluten issues. Celliac/gluten intolerant symptoms are nearly identical to underactive thyroid you have. Search on gluten on here there are some good posts. I did not have celiac antibodies but I am gluten intolerant.

If your gut struggles then vitamin D, B12 etc can not be taken in as well. Wise people on here say get them at top of range on vitamins as it helps thyroid meds. Your D looks low. I take a 4000 unit spay once a day as mine was low. Talk to your doctor. Keep them checked.

It has pushed my cholesterol level up but I am told that should now come down as things repair.

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Sleepman]

Hi Sleepman

Don’t get pushed onto statins - not good for us hypos. Have a read of guidelines around hypothyroidism and statins. I had swore to myself never even before I got diagnosed. Hubby and I run a guest house and we have had so many people coming through complaining of side-effects from statins.

Side-effects are completely underreported, wonder why!? Sorry, I’m an old cynic

[Sleepman in reply to Charlie-Farley]

Hi Charlie-Farlie, I will read.Thankyou for statins heads up.

I am not on statins. My Mum is though and she is hypo.

Levo 2 most common prescription AFTER statins.

[Sleepman in reply to Sleepman]

thyroiduk.org/related-condi... CF. Very interesting reading. I have a good diet, reasonablish weight, so everything crossed bad cholesterol now falls.

I am prediabetic too and I am hoping now everything switches to full throttle from limp home mode that sorts out.

It PAINS me that newly diagnosed NHS do not measure FT3 incase you are a poor converter of T4. They should be testing, even though test is difficult and can have variation, it is pennies to do.

NHS assume it will be simpler T4 only in work process and that risks more damage to a poor converters critical symptoms.

Why do NHS not flag up not to take biotin for a few days before blood tests and not to take thyroid meds before bloods etc.

All I had was a phone call saying here's your T4 prescription and by the way it's a life long condition.

I ended call early in tears.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I had a work “MOT” test a few months ago which showed I had a very under active thyroid.

Do you have the results from this “MOT”

This test from BH shows high thyroid antibodies and confirms autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s

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.

At the moment your thyroid is starting to struggle

You would need 2 tests with TSH over 5, plus symptoms to get prescribed levothyroxine

Starting levothyroxine - flow chart 

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...

meanwhile you can improve how you feel by improving vitamin levels and ALWAYS worth trying gluten free and/or dairy free diet…..

but get coeliac blood test done via GP first before considering cutting gluten

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Looking at improving vitamin D to at least 80nmol

Are you currently taking any vitamin D supplement?

B12 and folate need improving too by taking a good quality daily vitamin B complex

Look at increasing iron rich foods to improve Ferritin too