I could do with some advice from others in the thyroid mess! I'm seeing an endocrinologist in a few weeks (been waiting since April to get appointment) and my most recent blood results from last month are attached.
The first signs of thyroid dysfunction was hyperactive results, put on neomercazole and one month later the bloods showed everything had swung to hypo. On 150mg eltroxin since then and the GP is doing regular bloods, but doesn't want to change the meds as "they're not experts and the results show things are going the 'right way'"... However, I'm trying to make sense of the results they emailed me from last month's tests - I'm to get another set of bloods next week in prep for cons appointment.
So, basically: can someone read these results and give me a layperson's synopsis of what I'm looking at and what it all means?
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
I've had full blood work up done recently (I get it done at least annually without fail to keep check on everything) - ferritin, folates, vitamin D all in normal range. I already get B12 injections every 3 months due to autoimmune deficiency discovered 9 years ago, so that's also sitting in the range every blood test.
FT3 was done but results never returned on report - probably because the GP didn't request it!
TPO has been done twice now and will be done again next week - I'll ask them to include FT3 as well.
I expect the endocrinologist will have a fuller approach to all of this (she comes recommended so fingers crossed).
The earliest I can get bloods done here with my GP is 9.30am! I see the patient to patient tips though, and will definitely follow that - GP advised there was no need to fast for Thyroid tests.
I felt like a million dollars when on the neomercazole for hyper results, like I had rediscovered my true self again and inches literally disappeared from my body. But once I stopped and went onto eltroxin, I started feeling like crap again. Exhausted, hair loss has eased, sore all over (I have fibromyalgia as well), extreme stiffness, brain fog, no motivation, excessive weight gain - not even just the inability to lose weight, but MORE went on. I spoke to GP about this but they are keen for the endocrinologist to take over fully and manage my situation as the specialist rather than change anything.
I am so so sick of feeling this rubbish, though. Counting down the days to endo appointment at this stage in the hopes that there'll be some direction forward from there.
I'll get the full blood count results sent to me. I can't recall if both TPO and TG have been tested. I think so, but I cannot be certain. I shall ask.
Not taking any supplements at present - I usually take Revive Zest but after the last few months of system being all over the place, I stopped taking everything other than prescribed meds (Prozac, Lanzoprazole, Eltroxin, Naltrexone).
Coeliac was tested for years back around the same time as Fibro diagnosis. GP recommended I go gluten free after it came back negative as I had signs of intolerance for years. I've noticed the sensitivity to gluten has reduced significantly lately, though.
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