Help with Medichecks thyroid results

[CherryRedShoes]

I've been feeling unwell for months, with weight gain, tiredness, dry, itchy, coarse patches of skin, hair falling out in handfuls (though that has reduced now), freezing fingers and feet, dark circles, bags and severe wrinkles forming under eyes. I've aged about 15 years in a few months.

I am early 40s, female, no other known health issues, besides mild asthma. Years ago, back in 2010, I had a routine blood test which showed above range TSH (5.3), normal T4. This was repeated 6 months later, and showed little change. I haven't been tested by my GP since. No action was taken and I was told there was nothing to worry about.

I decided to take a Medichecks advanced thyroid function blood test. Two markers failed (folate and ferratin - will be sent a retest). Vitamin D was low, CRP high, and Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies high, Everything else within range (though TSH high end of range).

Can you please help me to interpret these and understand what next steps should be, and what I should be asking a GP for (if anything!).

Results and ranges are below:

CRP HS: 6.27 (0-5)

B12 Active: 98.5 (37.5-150)

Vit D: 40 (50-200)

TSH:4.1 (0.27-4.2)

Free T3: 4.28 (3.1-6.8)

T4: 15.8 (12-22)

Thyroglobulin antibodies: 23 (<115)

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies: 280 (<34)

Thanks for your help

Sarah

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile - click image icon top right of screen, it helps members to understand your thyroid journey.

So with positive antibodies you have autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's where the thyroid is slowly destroyed over many years and can no longer make thyroid hormone. many people with hashi's benefit from a gluten free diet, a smaller portion of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to help symptoms.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Nice guidelines state that a diagnosis of thyroid disease can be made with 2 consecutive tests with TSH above the range. Your GP should have started you on treatment after that second raised test. Usual starting dose is 50mcgs.

What time of day was this test? For highest TSH test at 9am, fasting.

Vit D is low, needs to be around 100. Use thsi calculator to work out how much to take to get your level there. Buy vit D + K2 which helps it go to your bones.

[CherryRedShoes in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you. My test was at about 9.20.

How slow does Hashimoto's progress? It's been 13 years since those tests where my TSH was raised, and it was a bit lower on this latest test, though I think still above ideal. I am guessing a UK GP is unlikely to treat with the results I had in this recent test?

I'll get the Vit D+K2 and hopefully get the ferratin and folate retest results soon.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to CherryRedShoes]

Hashimoto's can progress very slowly as your has, think years. What has likely happened is your low vitamin levels are affecting your TSH. We need OPTIMAL vitamins for thyroid hormone to work properly. So raise the vitamin levels then retest thyroid.

The treatment for autoimmune thyroid condition is no different to non immune although the dietary changes help Hashi sufferers.

No GP would treat you based on this latest test but worth showing them the positive antibodies and pointing out your tests years ago with raised TSH. You may have to wait to get 2 raised TSH tests above reference range 3 months apart or one above 10 now to start treatment but working on your vitamins will help as they will be depleted after all this time.

[CherryRedShoes in reply to Jaydee1507]

This is really helpful, thank you. I think I already eat a mostly gluten free diet, as I eat a low carb diet, without any wheat or grains. I also stopped drinking alcohol four months ago, so no beer etc. I've eaten this way on and off (mostly on) for about 15 years. I do have a lot of dairy though, so will see if I can adjust anything there. I'll tackle the vitamins and then retest.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to CherryRedShoes]

Start a new post when you get the ferritin and folate results.The gluten free diet needs to be strictly gluten free to work.

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

welcome to the auto immune Hashi club! All your symptoms are so familiar.

You found the right place, well done for sorting a private blood test.

follow all the advice here and you will eventually feel better, it’s not a quick fix and you may go backwards before forward but believe me it does get easier 🌱🦋🌱

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Having optimal key vitamins is so important in supporting thyroid health. I’d also recommend trialling the FULL elimination of gluten for a couple of months to see if this eases any symptoms. Even a small amount of gluten has an inflammatory response in many of us with Hashimotos, so it’s definitely worth trying.

[CherryRedShoes in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you. Fully cutting out gluten shouldn't be too hard - I'll take a good look at all the stuff in my cupboard and see if there is anything that I need to avoid. Just looking at a list of products with hidden gluten; malt vinegar surprised me! I guess the clue was in the name, but it never occurred to me that this is made from barley.