Help, guidance!?

[ConverseSiren]

Hi, I'm just starting on my Thyroid path. Having been suffering with fatigue, headaches, weight gain etc. I approached my GP and had full bloods done. Unsurprisingly, results where within NHS ranges.I paid for a private Thyroid test as the 1st test only went as far as TSH, as within ranges!

TSH 3.2 range 0.35-5.5

FT4 17.5 range 11.9-21.6

FT3 5.24 range 2.8-6.5

Anti-TPO 9 range <14

Anti-TG 301 range <115

I would be interested if anyone has any insight into the high anti-TG?

My GP has now ordered another Thyroid blood panel including the antibodies. If this confirms the private results they will refer to Endocrinology.

BTW I'm a 50y male. Thanks for any advice

[GlowCoach Administrator]

Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey. Click on your image icon to start.

Thyroglobulin antibodies are not tested for by the NHS. If positive, as yours are they are an indicator that you have Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune thyroid condition.

Antibodies wax and wave over many, many years and are the result of an attack on your thyroid. Over time the thyroid is slowly destroyed and you will be required to take thyroid hormones for life.

The NHS will not diagnose and treat hypothyroidism until you have had 2 consecutive NHS blood tetss showing TSH above the reference range or one above 10.

What time of day was this test taken? TSH is at its highest at 9am so book bloods for 9am or as close as possible. Also fast for the test for consistency.

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test.

[ConverseSiren in reply to GlowCoach]

Thanks for replying. My private test was at 11am and I had eaten. Vit results from GP blood test wereFerritin 60

Vit D 82.6

Folate 8.2

B12 920

Will look into gluten free as I know too much definitely upsets my stomach.

Thanks

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to ConverseSiren]

You have less than optimal vitamin levels, particularly your folate. You haven't given the reference ranges for each test though which is important as they vary from lab to lab.

It may help some of your symptoms and possibly also help to raise your TSH if you supplemented.

Vitamin D should be around 100 - 150. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150. wildatlantichealth.com/vita...

Ferritin should be around 90 - 100 for best use of thyroid hormone. Suggest increasing iron rich foods in diet and eating them often. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc

Folate - aim for a level of 20. Recommend taking an active/methyl (should say on label) B complex which contains 400mcgs folate (also B12). This B complex has all the right vitamins at a not unreasonable cost for 90 days supply. amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...

[martinajane]

Some of you may be interested in Dr Myhill talking about the thyroid. If you go on her website and in the search bar type thyroid.She has a page on persuading the GP to do a thyroid test, how the UK TSH range should be changed, and other information such as some people need to run at the higher normal range.

You may be told by your GP your TSH is within range so they won't test the T3 or T4. But don't listen to the symptoms you experience. She talks about this.

There is more than one page, so make sure to read all pages by searching "thyroid".

She can do the tests and let you know her opinion, which is charged for. She can suggest what dosages, and I suggest this reading because she seems to look beyond what a GP is willing to do. If anything you may be interested in the reading and find out more, it's free information.

[ConverseSiren]

Hi, I finally found someone who listened to my symptoms and was willing to trial me on Levothyroxine at 50mcg. The symptoms have been improving ever since alongside going Gluten free and improving vitamin levels.I have just had results of a blood test and would appreciate any thoughts. Especially T3 which seems to have dropped?

Thanks for any feedback 🙂

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