Thyroid

[Goldieowner]

Hi. TPO 49 today. Anyone with thoughts. I have classic symptoms of Hashimoto .

[Lalatoot]

Welcome to the forum. Antibody levels vary. A normal person may have some antibodies. A hypothyroid person may have a low level of antibodies. And antibody levels do change.What we really need are the results of a thyroid blood test and the results of any vitamin levels you have had tested.

[Goldieowner in reply to Lalatoot]

This is in my test results today. That is the important level I'm asking about as my TSH levels are normal. This was highlighted in a long search surrounding I'll health and nearly dying from VRS back in January.

[GlowCoach Administrator]

Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start.

What is 'normal' in a thyroid test may actually give an indication that your thyroid is struggling.

What time of day did you have your blood test?

Do you have a copy of your latest blood results that you can share with us? You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.

With positive TPO antibodies you are in the early stages of Hashimoto's. Thyroid levels can fluctuate a lot in the early stages which can last years so having regular thyroid tests to keep an eye on where you're at is a good idea.

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...

There is also a new company offering walk in & mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

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.

Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process). Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day.

[Goldieowner in reply to GlowCoach]

I'm in France. I had the test this morning. No medication would interact and I went 'dry'. I'm only asking for this specific line of my results. I know my history and the reason this kick started potentially. I'm only after replies from those that have had this initial indicator. I have nodules and its physically palpable. I see an endo next week. I wondered if anyone has had this level and what they were told when TSH is normal.

[Lalatoot in reply to Goldieowner]

If your tpo antibodies are over range then you have autoimmune thyroiditis often referred to as hashimotos.With autoimmune thyroid disease the thyroid is seen to be a foreign body by the immune system and it attacks it. Antibodies tidy up the mess from the attack.

Eventually these attacks damage the thyroid so much that it can no longer produce the necessary levels of hormones and symptoms occur.

An average normal person will have a tsh of around 1.

[Goldieowner in reply to Lalatoot]

I thought so. I have terrible breathlessness and horrific rapid weight gain for no other reason. Sleep impaired, hair loss, ( I've cut it short now). All cardiac and pneumology explored because of history. Excellent GP. Endo appointment next week Friday.

[Lalatoot in reply to Goldieowner]

Good luck with the endo. What it boils down to is the word normal. Doctors often say results were normal but this doesn't mean they were the right levels for you. Each testing lab has a range for the results. My lab has a range of 10 to 22 for ft4. The doctor would tell me my result was normal if it was 11 but he would also say normal if my level was 20. So which normal is right?It's like a rail of normal sized clothes. The doctor says get dressed with anything from that normal rail. So you pull out a blouse. Doctor says it's normal size so it will fit. It's a 38 . However you are a size 42 which is also a normal size. You have to go about all day bursting out of this blouse because it was the wrong normal for you.

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to Goldieowner]

What’s the range on TPO antibodies

Were TG antibodies tested too

Please add TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 results and ranges

Low vitamin levels extremely common as result of being hypothyroid

Breathlessness and hair loss frequently low iron/ferritin

Hairloss can be low zinc

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

[Goldieowner in reply to SlowDragon]

TSH 1.42 T4 1.32 T3 3.25

[Goldieowner in reply to Goldieowner]

Iron levels are fine. I have COPD and Asthma and twice this year collapsed lungs as a result of VRS.