I started my 25 microgram trial of Levothyroxine today and also received my private blood results back I decided to use as a baseline going forward.
My results:
Active B12 77.5 range 37.5 - 188.0
Ferritin 45.6 range 30.0 - 150.0
Triiodothyronine 5.7 (FT3) range 3.1 - 6.8
Free thyroxine 15.7 (FT4) range 12.0 - 22.0
Thyroid- 7.67 stimulating hormone (TSH) range 0.27 - 4.2
Thyroglobulin 30.3 antibodies (TgAB) range 0.0 - 115.0
Thyroid 182.0 peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) range 0.0 - 34.0
Thyroxine (T4) 109.0 range 59.0 - 154
The doctor that reviewed my results of course said they’re all fine, except the raised TSH and high antibodies. My iron is too low for my liking, I have some new supplements to take for that.
I don’t know much about the T3 or T4 levels but this private test says they’re in ‘normal range’
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EclipseMoon
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Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
You will need several increases in levothyroxine over coming year
If not ……get coeliac blood test BEFORE trailing gluten free diet
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
A trial of strictly gluten free diet is always worth doing
Only 5% of Hashimoto’s patients test positive for coeliac but a further 81% of Hashimoto’s patients who try gluten free diet find noticeable or significant improvement or find it’s essential
A strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential due to gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and may slowly lower TPO antibodies
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported
In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned
Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.
Similarly few months later consider trying dairy free too. Approx 50-60% find dairy free beneficial
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