Anaemia

[Stockton68]

I have graves disease but GP only tests TSH levels and T3. When I saw GP due to rapid heartbeat, breathlessness and muscle weakness he did full blood test and said I was anaemic. I take 5mg of carbimazole- could this medication cause anaemia? Is this common in graves? I used to have thyroid blood tests 4 times a year but since covid been reduced to twice a year. Would like to know how often other people have their bloods tested?

[Qwerty12345]

When I had active graves and on treatment my bloods were checked regularly. Each time the dose was altered my bloods were checked after a period of time to check levels were still ok. Once off treatment I was checked twice a year for a couple of years and now only once a year. If I had any symptoms of graves I know I can ask for a blood test

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Hi Stockton68,

I would ask your GP/ endo for a print out of your thyroid blood tests and share them with us (with ranges, as these can vary between labs).

I re read a post you wrote 4years ago when pennyannie asked ‘Do you have a diagnosis of Graves Disease and tested positive for either the TSI or TRab antibodies ?’ This information is very important.

I was actually misdiagnosed as Graves when I actually have Hashimotos (with TED). This forum encouraged me to investigate my test results and ensure I had the correct tests going forward. I, like many other members, choose to do this privately (as FT3 rarely tested via NHS if FT4 within range).

Please also share the actual readings for your key vitamins (ferritin, folate, b12 and vit D). Remember you are legally entitled to copies of all your results. Also, be mindful that when GPS say ‘normal’ or ‘within range’ this is not the same as optimal.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

When Graves’ disease is suspected you should always have TSI or Trab antibodies tested at least once

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once for Hashimoto’s (autoimmune hypothyroid disease)

It’s possible (but rare) to have Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease at same time

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.

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)

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

If taking too much Carbimazole likely to have low vitamin levels, especially iron

Recommended that 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)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[pennyannie]

Hey there again :

Are you still on Block and Replace or just the Anti Thyroid drug now - we need time lines and facts to help better answer your question.

Graves can cause a multitude of symptoms and it takes great skill monitoring and treating a patient with either B & R or just Carbimazole - and blood tests somewhat limited as to ones mental, emotional, and psychological well being when Graves is raging and the body's metabolism unstable.

If just on the Carbimazole - this is simply blocking your daily own thyroid hormone production - a relatively low dose - and guesing the first phase of your Graves now over -

is there is talk of coming off the AT drug or staying on a small dose longer term ?

When metabolism is running too fast as in hyperthyroidism or too slow as in hypothyroidism the body struggles the extract key nutrients through food no matter how well and clean you eat - and low levels of core strength ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D will compound your health issues further.

It is not that the AT drug in itself has caused the anemia but your overall health and wellbeing durng all this time has likely not been maintained at optimal levels.

Graves is an auto immune disease and can ravage the body - and generally diagnosed when it starts to attack the thyroid causing your metabolism to go ' haywire ' and considered life threatening if not treated.

Something triggered your immune system to turn and attack your body rather than defend it - quite why this happened is a whole other chapter -but you can come back from this and hope you are now over the worst of what Graves can cause.

You can read further around Graves on elaine-moore.com

If you wish to reread all your previous posts and replies - just press the Profile icon above right.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Sometimes doctors test TSH & FT4, or just TSH but it’s unusual drs test TSH & FT3.

You do need TSH & FT4 & FT3 tested together to see what is going on, & you also need to obtain your results to see what the actual results are. Can you test privately?

Graves / carbimazole isn’t known to cause anaemia. Do you have your iron results? Ferritin levels.

I have hyper from another cause & initially has blood test 6 weekly. This is usually due to having dose adjustment. Once consistently stable I am tested every 3 months but if dose adjusted again I am tested 6 weeks later. GP often need prompting. Im occasionally told due a blood test yet. but I’m insistent & there’s usually previous notes about it.