Confusing

[RabbitMum_1965]

My thyroid perox ABs were always 'high' but it was put down to being hypothyroid. My TSH and T4 levels were not normal either. I put it down to not being fully compliant with my thyroxine. However, I've been taking it correctly for the last 18 months, which meant that my TSH is now 2.55 mU/L (norms are 0.35 - 5.00 mU/L) and Free T4 is now 14.2 (norms are 9.0 - 21 pmo/L).

I found out recently that my ESR is 'high' at 26 (norms are 0-19 mm/hr) and thyroid Perox.ABs 34 (norms are less than 6.0 U/mL.

I requested to look at my notes, which is where I found my results. My GP did not tell me about the 'high' results. I also found out that they tested my rheumatology factor (normal) and anti DNA. I think anti DNA is done to test for lupus. Negative for lupus. Again, I was not told that these bloods had been done.

I guess antiDNA and rheumatology factor was done as my ESR was high. If those 2 are normal, why is my ESR high? I asked my GP this, this morning and he just pooh-poohed my question by saying it was nothing to worry about. If it's nothing to worry about, why was I tested for Lupus?

Should I be concerned about my raised ESR and Thyroid Perox. ABs levels? I had a private thyroid ultrasound scan done in March 2020. I was told by the sonographer that my thyroid looked 'normal anatomically but very very small...never seen it that small'.

[GlowCoach Administrator]

So you need a dose increase of Levo, probably 25mcgs. Most people feel well with a TSH of 1 or just under. If GP quibbles there is a lot of info here to take with you to an appointment including a pinned post by tattybogle.

You didn't respond to this reply to a previous post of yours. healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I had raised inflammatory levels and getting vitamins OPTIMAL reduced mine to normal levels. Suggest you get ferritin, folate, B12 & D3 tested. Hypo people dont absorb vitamins well from food which in itself causes low vitamin levels and symptoms. Low vit levels mean out thryid hormone cannot work well.

[RabbitMum_1965 in reply to GlowCoach]

Thank you for your reply. Trying to get my GP to check my vit d is near impossible. I'll try another GP and see if a female one is more sympathetic

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to RabbitMum_1965]

Are you supplementing with anything, if so what?

Monitor my Health do well priced vit D tests by post. Thyroid UK offer discount codes. These things are well worth keeping on top of for the benefit of your health. I use Medichecks for full thyroid & all vitamin tests as I need a blood draw.

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

[greygoose]

My thyroid perox ABs were always 'high' but it was put down to being hypothyroid.

If your FT4 levels were/are low, you are hypothyroid. The high antibodies just tell you why you are hypo: Autoimmune Thyroiditis.

That TSH is telling us that you are under-medicated - it should come down to 1 or under when the dose is correct.

Doctors rarely tell patients what their exact levels are. They believe that we poor creatures are too stupid to understand what they mean! You have to go to med school to understand lab results. lol When the truth is, doctors themselves rarely know how to correctly interpret lab test results.

The ESR blood test is an inflammation marker. As you have Hashi's, it's not surprising you have high inflammation levels. But doctors rarely understand that, which is probably why they tested for anti DNA and rheumatology factor.

And, it's highly likely that your doctor pooh-poohed your question because he didn't actually have an answer!

I was told by the sonographer that my thyroid looked 'normal anatomically but very very small...

Which more than likely means you have Ord's Thyroiditis. Ord's is the same as Hashi's only without the goitre. The treatment for both is the same: thyroid hormone replacement (levo, etc.) And that's why your TPO antibodies are high.

[RabbitMum_1965 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you so much for explaining this. Your information is far superior to any GP's!

[greygoose in reply to RabbitMum_1965]

I don't suppose your GP knows that much about thyroid. They don't really learn about it in med school. They pick up one or two bits and pieces and invent the rest as they go along!