Hi 👋

[Mummybear0213]

Hi everyone 😊

This is my first post, been researching lots about thyroid health the last few days as I had some bloods done a few weeks ago that came back abnormal so I had more done yesterday and I'm just waiting to hear back about those. Been feeling extremely tired and achy, I started taking Sertraline a couple of months ago as I've been struggling with awful anxiety since I had my 4th child 10 months ago via (a very traumatic) emergency C-section. Long story short I was very unwell afterwards and lost almost 4 litres of blood, had 3 blood transfusions and half an iron infusion (started to react to it half way through!).... basically my health has been down the toilet ever since December.

Anyway I'm here now wondering what's going on with my thyroid as the GP is concerned about my levels.

I'll attach a screenshot of the results I got. Still waiting on the latest bloods and I also ordered the Advanced thyroid home test from Monitor my Health which arrived today so I'll be doing that and sending it off tomorrow. Will probably get those results before the GPs blood results 🙄

[greygoose]

Hi Mummybear0213, welcome to the forum.

First question (and there are likely to be a lot more!):

What time of day was the blood draw for that test?

N° 2: do you have any sort of thyroid diagnosis - hypo or whatever - and are you taking any thyroid hormone replacement?

I'm here now wondering what's going on with my thyroid as the GP is concerned about my levels.

So, given the information you've given us, could be one of two things - or both of them!

1. Very often after childbirth, women develop an autoimmune thyroid condition commonly called Hashi's. Doctors call it Autoimmune Thyroidits. As the name suggests, it's an autoimmune disease where the immune system slowly destroys the thyroid mistaking it for the enemy. Has anybody tested your antibodies? If not, they want testing now!

2. Severe blood loss during childbirth can have a negative effect on the pituitary. The pituitary produces lots of hormone, including TSH, as tested above. This looks like it might possibly be your problem because your TSH does not correspond to your FT4 result - one would expect it to be higher. I don't know how much you know about thyroid, so don't want to get too complicated straight off, but with low thyroid hormones - T4 and T3 - the TSH gets higher. As the thyroid hormone levels rise, the TSH drops. But yours isn't that high anyway, and would make anyone who knows their thyroidology suspect a pituitary problem.

But, as I said, you could possibly have both conditions at the same time, given that you've just had a baby.

Your doctor is right to be concerned about that FT4, it's under-range and therefore far from normal - you are very hypo! But I doubt she suspects the significance of the relatively low TSH and probably considers it 'normal' as it's still within range. But, it is not in any way 'normal'. And needs further investigation.

[Mummybear0213 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for your reply.

I'll try to answer as much as I can, I'm half asleep at the moment 😆

The blood test for those results was taken just after 9am. My bloods yesterday were also taken at the same time. I do intent to take this home test first thing tomorrow before breakfast and then drop it off to the post office straight after (it's the Monitor My Health thyroid + antibodies test).

Really appreciate all this info, thank you 😊

[greygoose in reply to Mummybear0213]

OK, so your TSH really is that low, and does not correspond to your very low FT4. Pretty certain it's your pituitary at fault. Ask your GP if she knows about Secondary Hypo, where the problem lies with the pituitary rather than the thyroid.

As I said, you could also have Hashi's, but in this case, it's the Secondary Hypo that is most important because the pituitary makes many other hormones and they could all be low. You need to be referred to an endo for further testing of pituiatary hormones: ATCH, HGH, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone and leutinising hormone. GPs cannot do all that.

[Mummybear0213 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks so much for this I've put it in my notes so I don't forget when I go back to see the GP.

[greygoose in reply to Mummybear0213]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Sheehan syndrome is the condition after traumatic birth, especially significant blood loss

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheeh...

Rarely diagnosed….rather than rare

Similarly with Hashimoto’s pituitary response can be sluggish

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Advanced thyroid home test from Monitor my Health which arrived today so I'll be doing that and sending it off tomorrow.

If doing test on a Wednesday…..Make sure to pay extra for Guaranteed delivery Thursday

Are you currently taking any vitamin supplements, if yes ,…..what exactly

all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Mummybear0213 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for all this it's very useful.

I'm not on any meds (except the Sertraline) or been diagnosed with anything (yet). No vitamins either (I know I'm not doing myself any favours)....

My vitamin D also came back low. And I'm not sure if it's relevant at all but my red blood cell distribution width was also high. Google tells me it's either cancer or thyroid related 😬

Sorry if ive missed anything x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mummybear0213]

High blood distribution widths

Likely low folate or B12 or iron

healthline.com/health/rdw-b....

What’s your diet like

Do you eat plenty of red meat, liver once a week or liver pate……washed down with orange juice (vitamin C ) to improve iron absorption

How low was vitamin D

How much vitamin D are you taking

[Mummybear0213 in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry for the delay I didn't realise I had a new reply.

Good question about the vitamin D, I have no idea I can't seem to find the actual results but GP left a message to say I am low and to buy some from the chemist!

I'm not taking any vitamins at the moment, I was but kept forgetting. Not helping myself I know.

I've attached the most recent blood results from the GP below.

[Mummybear0213]

Update.....

I had my GP test results back today and I'm as confused as ever now 🤦🏻‍♀️

Now I'm wondering if there is anything wrong with my thyroid or not.

I sent off the Monitor My Health blood sample this morning so hopefully I'll hear back from that soon, it'll be interesting to see what those say.

Anyone have an idea what could be going on?

I've been absolutely shattered the last few days. Feeling very fed up.

Test results

[Mummybear0213 in reply to Mummybear0213]

TSH and free t4

Test results

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mummybear0213]

Ft4 is rock bottom….Ft3 too low

Likely very low vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

See what MMH test results show

Vitamin D

if Vitamin D is under 50nmol GP should prescribe 1600iu daily for 6 months

If under 25nmol should prescribe loading dose

Details here

NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required

ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...

GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol.

Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...

But with Hashimoto’s, improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing

vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.

There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7.

One spray = 1000iu

amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...

It’s trial and error what dose we need, with thyroid issues we frequently need higher dose than average

Vitamin D and thyroid disease

grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...

Vitamin D may prevent Autoimmune disease

newscientist.com/article/23...

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Interesting article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium

drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

[Mummybear0213 in reply to SlowDragon]

Amazing thank you, plenty of reading for me! Hopefully the GP takes me seriously when I speak to her, not feeling very optimistic if I'm honest.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mummybear0213]

Request thyroid antibodies tested, plus folate, B12 and full iron panel including ferritin

[Imaaan]

Mabrook on your new baby. If I were in your shoes I'd ask for prescription vit d3 from your doctor at 10,000IU to bring your levels up. Pls make sure you're taking the cofactors (magnesium and k2)at the right dosage. Secondly I could almost bet my bottom dollar that you're feeling anxious because of your b12/folate/iron and you may not necessarily have needed the anxiety pills. So I'm going to be a mother hen since I'm older and give you some tough love. I can understand and appreciate that you're exhausted but only you can help yourself. Meaning you MUST get on a supplement regimen and be consistent with it. If you arent already begin a diet that includes red meat, liver etc. Lastly, arm yourself with knowledge and be your own advocate.