Understanding blood tests esp raised TgAbs and TSH

[Daisyhen]

Hello,

I wonder if anyone would be kind enough to have a look at my recent blood test results and help me interpret them. I’m going round in circles with research.

TSH 5.7 (0.27 - 4.2) In Jan 2023 it was 5.4 and in July 2022 it was 5.1

Free T3. 4.19 (3.1 - 6.8)

Free thyroxine. 14 (12-22)

Thyroglobulin Abs 315 <115

Thyroid PO Abs 9. <34

Vit B12. 104. (37.5 - 150)

Vit D 56 (50 - 200)

Ferratin. 35 (30 - 150)

GP only tested TSH (that result also said negative antibodies) so I had a full thyroid one done with medichecks. Need to redo folate as problem with sample.

I can see that my TSH is a bit too high but am also concerned about the TG abs. I’ve read that the NHS isn’t concerned about this type of antibody and so perhaps my GP won’t be interested in that? Does this high antibody level tie into the high TSH level and should it be something I’m pushing the GP to acknowledge when I go to discuss whether I need medication.

I tick quite a few of the hypothyroid set of symptoms but not all.

Any advice would be most welcome,

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

welcome to the forum!

Two tests with TSH as high as yours should trigger starting thyroid hormone replacement. Especially with that good gap in between. You may have to be a bit ‘assertive’ with your GP, folks here will share what to say, what reports and NHS guidelines to point to.

Antibodies are antibodies, there is no argument there. GP probs only tested TPO last time. You are an example of why it is good to do both. Happy autoimmunity diagnosis to you.

So you will need to read and read and ask lots of questions, work on slowly, carefully not too many changes at once, addressing all your vitamins and thyroid levels. It’s a long road and you may feel worse initially on hormone replacement but keep asking advice and folks here with share their knowledge.

great work reaching out.

🌱🦋🌱

[Daisyhen in reply to Regenallotment]

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply and the great advice about being a bit more ‘assertive’! I’m not brilliant at that so definitely need to read up more so I have some knowledge behind me. I guess the bottom line is that I do have some autoimmunity thing going on and now need to work on a plan to get my GP to recognise that. I’d naively hoped, before I got the full results back, that I might feel just better with a top up of something like Vit D rather than it being anything more serious (with the TSH results I was told they were still within range being under 10).

It’s also good to be reminded to make any changes slowly - thank you.

[Regenallotment Ambassador in reply to Daisyhen]

the 10 thing is quite out of date … it’s around 4.6 to 5 now in the UK depending on the lab. 3.5 in the US, 1.5 if you are pregnant in the UK and here on the forum, we note people generally feel well under 1.0. However, my GP thought I was in range and therefore cured for life at 3.5. I felt dreadful so kept persisting. With autoimmune the guidelines say to continue increasing dose until symptoms resolve. This takes blooming ages so you will have to get on the case 🌱

[Regenallotment Ambassador in reply to Daisyhen]

actually upping your Vit D will really help, autoimmune knackers the digestion and absorption of vitamins. There are some good links somewhere that tell you how to do a loading dose (mine was 4000iu for about 8 months) D over 100 is the aim for optimal. Generally you see D3 with K2 recommended here. We use Betteryou spray from Amazon and Horbaach drops also amazon. That makes the calcium formed go to your bones and not your arteries. Apparently improved by taking magnesium but again one thing at a time 🌱

[Daisyhen in reply to Regenallotment]

Thank you, the GP I saw just a couple of weeks ago (before I ordered a Medichecks test so only had TSH) was very dismissive of my levels as not over 10. 10 definitely was the magic number as far as he was concerned! My own research had shown that 2separate tests showing TSH between something like 5 and 10 are significant but I felt a bit railroaded. Will go in stronger next time!

All the info on vit D and K2 is really interesting and helpful. Will start looking into that and putting an order in.

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to Daisyhen]

Try a different, more helpful GP at the same practice. The guidelines are clear that 2 TSH's over range is a diagnosis and you can start treatment.

When you get bloods done, always book test for 9am or as close as posssible as this is when TSH is highest. Fast from the night before.

No folate result?

D3 is too low, should be 100. Use this calc to work out how much D3 + K2 to take. K2 helps it go to your bones. grassrootshealth.net/projec...

[Juliet_22]

Gluten-free diet and black seed oil can help with autoimmune, though it will also take gut health healing and a lot more to win.

[Daisyhen]

Thank you Julia, I’ll add that to my list of things to research.

[Regenallotment Ambassador in reply to Daisyhen]

some of us end up dairy free too, but take it step by step. 🤗

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

have a read of Izabella Wentz thyroid pharmacist her books are worth their weight 🌱

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ferritin 35 (30 - 150)

Ferritin is virtually deficient

See this reply to post above yours…..also with very low ferritin levels

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

With two separate blood test results with TSH over 5, symptoms and high thyroglobulin antibodies you should be starting on levothyroxine

Starting levothyroxine - flow chart 

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...

However GP might not recognise antibodies as NHS doesn’t currently recognise just high TG antibodies for diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease (hashimoto’s)

Majority of Hashimoto’s patients have high TPO or high TPO and high TG antibodies……..but significant minority only have high TG antibodies

medichecks.com/blogs/thyroi...

[Daisyhen]

Thank you for all your advice - it’s very helpful.

[D9d9]

I’m curious about your B12 levels. The range you give for B12 seem to be low. Is it ACTIVE B12 that they have looked at? Maybe its to do with your Country if not in the UK..

[humanbean in reply to D9d9]

That is the standard range for Active B12 when the test is done with Medichecks.

Serum Vitamin B12 has an upper limit which is anywhere from 550 - 1000, depending on which company does the test. The lower limit might be roughly 150 - 200.

The Active B12 test is a better test than Serum Vitamin B12, however the NHS doesn't use the Active test, as far as I know.