GP blood test results

[MsWhistledown]

These are the results I received from GP same day as my private blood results which I posted last week.

GP wants me to retest in 8 weeks however they are only testing my TSH. Should they test for antibodies every time now considering mine were off the scale and the main reason they finally started me on medication?

Many thanks.

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

NHS will only ever test thyroid antibodies once

As you will be getting full thyroid and vitamin testing yourself privately annually this includes both thyroid antibodies

Many people see TPO antibodies slowly reduce on gluten free/dairy free diet

TG antibodies tend to reduce as TSH drops as levothyroxine dose is increased over coming months

Ferritin deficient under 30

If not already on iron prescription

GP should be doing full iron panel test for anaemia

[MsWhistledown in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon, I will request full iron panel and am planning gluten free/dairy free diet. Have ordered vitamins including iron and including iron rich foods in my diet. Hoping things will start going in right direction now.

[greygoose]

Once you have had a positive TPO/Tg antibody test you know you have Hashi's so there is no point in retesting. Antibodies fluctuate all the time, and are highest just after an autoimmune attack on the thyroid, when they have a job to do. They also reduce in number as more and more of the thyroid is killed off, so there is less to attack. But, it is not the antibodies doing the attacking, so their level is not an indicator of the severity of the disease. Once you have Hashi's you have it for life no matter what the level of the antibodies.

[MsWhistledown in reply to greygoose]

thanks greygoose, that is very useful to know.

[greygoose in reply to MsWhistledown]

You're welcome.