hi I’m new here a long wait to see endocrinologist I’m just wondering if somebody could help me understand what my results mean

[K2613]

I was told I have hyperthyroidism in November after going to the doctors with chest pains, was prescribed propanol and pretty much told to get on with it until I see endocrinology, I wasn’t even informed thyroid storm were a thing and what to look out for

From what I’ve read online 😬 I understand with myTSH, T3 and T4 there’s a possibility I’ve got Graves’ disease but is that antibody results consistent with that?

I’d love somebodies feed back I’m trying to figure out if there’s natural remedies I can look into while waiting for endo appointments

Serum TSH level (XaELV)

Below range

< 0.05 miu/L [0.2 - 4.0]; Below low reference limit

Serum free T4 level (XaERr)

Above range

31.0 pmol/L [10.0 - 20.0]; Above high reference limit

Serum T3 level (4424.)

Above range

2.9 nmol/L [0.9 - 2.5]; Above high reference limit

Serum thyroid peroxidase antibody concentration (XabCy)

< 28 iu/mL [< 100.0]

[jimh111]

You have hyperthyroidism, excess thyroid hormone. Sometimes it can be temporary but most times it is permanent or lasts for a year or two after which your thyroid may pack in and you need to take thyroid hormone to replace the hormone your thyroid used to secrete.

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are associated with hypothyroidism, too little hormone although there can be short periods of excess hormone.

To test for Graves' they have to measure TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb). TSH stimulates your thyroid to secrete hormone. TRAb mimic TSH and so stimulate your thyroid to secrete excess hormone. The endocrinologist will run the TRAb test, I'm not sure whether your GP can request it, you could ask and see if they do.

Our thyroids secrete mostly thyroxine (T4) and a little T3. It is the T3 molecule that does the work, i.e. it is the active form. The body converts T4 to T3.

Propranolol is a beta blocker which will slow down your heartbeat and so protect it and relieve some of your symptoms. It is also a very useful medicine for hyperthyroidism because it also has the ability to reduce T4 to T3 conversion and in this way reduces thyroid hormone activity somewhat.

There are no natural remedies I know of. I would try and find out how long you may have to wait for an endocrine appointment.

It's worth keeping a record of your blood pressure / pulse rate if you have or can afford one of those machines.

I have no personal experience of Graves'. I've tried to keep this simple as it's new to you. If you are diagnosed with Graves' open a new post and people with experience can support you.

[Jazzw]

Hi K2613. It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it? x

This Thyroid UK article provides a good overview of the different causes of hyperthyroidism.

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

[jimh111 in reply to Jazzw]

There can also be temporary thyroiditis after pregnancy.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Your GP is able to do more than submit a referral & expect you to wait.

Has a repeat test not been arranged? Has the referral been processed correctly? 

The GP can arrange repeat thyroid function test to see if levels are changing -  but they may not be able to test Graves antibodies. 

 The GP can liaise with specialist and start you on carbimazole an anti thyroid.  Propranolol can help with symptoms  but will not treat the source of the problem.  This is important if your appointment is taking a long time.  

[Gingernut44]

Besides getting your definitive Graves antibodies checked, you should also ask for your Thyroglobulin antibodies (TGab) tested. Hashimoto’s (under-active thyroid) can start with elevated thyroid hormones and, in my opinion, your initial test results don’t appear to be high enough for Graves but I’m a patient not a medic. This is how my thyroid problem started - because my TPO antibodies were negative, they never did any other AB’s and assumed it was non autoimmune. I wish I had researched when my problems started, I wouldn’t be in this mess if I had. I trusted the Endo department with my health which I deeply regret. You have come to the right place for learning about your condition and I hope you have a good experience with your Endo appointment. Always come back to the forum for advice going forward.

Good luck.

[pennyannie]

Hello K2613 and welcome to the forum :

In short - no - this antibody test does not confirm a diagnosis of Graves Disease.

Your Free T3 and Free T4 levels are slightly over the range and this antibody reading is simply saying that your immune system has been triggered and started attacking your body rather than defending and quite why this has happened now is the question.

The Propranolol should help make you feel more comfortable while further tests are run from this first blood test to identify the full antibody readings necessary for Graves Disease and the antibodies unique to Graves are generally expressed as a TR a - a thyroid blocking antibody or a TSI - a thyroid stimulating antibody.

There are 2 auto immune disease that effect the thyroid and the eyes, Graves and Hashimoto's :

Graves is considered life threatening if not medicated and initially one is put on an Anti Thyroid drug, probably Carbimazole, to block your T3 and T4 rising higher and higher ,

With Hashimoto's the T3 and T4 do not rise higher and higher and these episodes transient as the T3 and T4 drop back down into range themselves but longer term your thyroid becomes erratic in its thyroid hormone production and disabled and you will become hypothyroid and require thyroid hormone replacement.

You can read around Graves on - elaine-moore.com

and for Hashimoto's I understand the research of Dr Izabella Wentz is well recommended - thyroidpharmacist.com

and both these websites also have sections covering more holistic and natural treatment options for these auto immune disease.

[eeng]

Your FT3 result is just over range but nowhere near as high as some with hyperthyroidism. That's possibly why your GP hasn't pressed for an urgent endo appointment. It's just possible that you will eventually become hypothyroid after the autoimmune attack on your thyroid - I guess that's why they did a Serum thyroid peroxidase antibody test rather than a graves antibody test. However that's less likely since your Serum thyroid peroxidase antibodies are in the normal range. Look up symptoms of hyperthyroidism and if you get an increase in symptoms you should probably see a doctor again. In the meantime I hope your chest pain has gone away and I hope your appointment arrives soon.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

As someone was wrongly diagnosed initially as having Graves, I would definitely push for the correct antibody tests, as recommended by other members. When I followed forum advice to do this, I discovered that I actually was hypothyroid with Hashimotos. Interestingly, my symptoms (including TED) were more ‘hyper’ in presentation (weight loss, tremor, palpitations, high anxiety etc). I found that proprananol helped reduce my elevated heart rate; has it helped you?