Blood results back

[Agho]

I posted a few weeks ago about an issue I was having with my thyroid. Had a visit to a new endo who requested a battery of tests and the results are back. I have been off Eltroxin since August when my TSH went low.

Aug results when on 12.5mcg levo 5 days a week:

TSH 0.21 (0.35- 4.95)

FT4 12.2( 9- 19.1)

Oct results, same lab ranges:

TSH 1.22

FT4 12.3

FT3 4.4 (2.4 - 6)

Nov results:

TSH 0.79

FT4 12.7

FT3 4.5

So, while TSH initially rose after stopping levo as expected, it has now dropped again and would appear to be heading downwards. I've apparently had thyroid tissue regrowth and it seems to be functioning to some degree. I'm getting worried that I may be heading for hyper again and facing further surgery. RAI is contraindicated as I have thyroid eye disease. Further bloods in January to check where it's headed. Still have occasional palpitations and am a bit tired. Has anyone else had a situation like this where TSH went down after stopping levo? FT3 & FT4 never seem to change regardless of dosage.

All vits were in range

B12 484 (187 - 883)

Folate 12.2 (3.1 20.5)

Ferritin 79.2 (4.6 - 204)

D3 80 (50 - 125)

PTH 54.1 (<68.3)

All antibodies negative

Would appreciate opinions on what's likely happening.

[Batty1]

You should add the ranges for your thyroid test.

[Agho in reply to Batty1]

lab ranges included in above post. TFT ranges haven't changed since August

[Batty1 in reply to Agho]

Did you have a thyroidectomy ?

[Agho in reply to Batty1]

Yes thyroidectomy in my teens almost 55 years ago. Had Graves Disease.

[Batty1 in reply to Agho]

Hopefully someone familiar with graves will come along

[pennyannie]

Hello Agho :

Well considering the following research paper why would anyone want RAI thyroid ablation if they were aware of the longer term consequences.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/338...

Graves is an auto immune disease for which there is no cure and simply flipping the patient from hyper to hypo - somewhat simplistic - but that's the system currently in place in the UK.

I have read of the thyroid regrowing though doubt it would totally regenerate -

and would think close monitoring advised and adjusting your T4 medication accordingly and consider taking the AT drug if you find yourself with excessive thyroid hormones.

For all things Graves Disease - elaine-moore.com

I'm with Graves and post RAI thyroid ablation 2005 and now self medicate as I found no help with my worsened ill health in around 2014/5 and having been refused both T3 and NDT on the NHS in 2018- take NDT and am much impoved.

Were the TRab or TSI antibodies rerun as with Graves it does tend to wax and wane throughout one's life. ?

[Agho in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you for your reply pennyannie. Elaine Moore's site looks very informative. I will spend time reading all the relevant articles.

I've never come across anyone who had a thyroidectomy and thyroid regrowth with a functioning thyroid when not on replacement therapy.

Endo is suggesting a radioactive iodine uptake scan, is the radiation involved in that as bad as RAI ablation?

I'm so confused.

[pennyannie in reply to Agho]

I think it's generally run to check thyroid function and it's absorption rate / ability of the small amount of RAI that you will need to swallow - and obviously prior RAI thyroid ablation.