Recent blood tests

[Nattycake]

Hello! I hope everyone is well. I've recently had a referral for allergy testing and have got a result of 578.8 for thyroid peroxidase (ref range of 0-9) all my other thyroid bloods have come back in normal range. I'm waiting for the consultant to get in contact but just wondered if anyone has any experience of anything similar 😊

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the TUK forum Nattycake,

So we can offer better advice, can you share blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:

TSH

FT3

FT4

Plus key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12) as these support thyroid health.

If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Even though your GP may say your results are normal/ within range, this may not be the same as optimal. The positive antibodies indicate an auto immune thyroid condition (Hashimotos) so you do need to keep monitoring your thyroid levels, as you may need medication in the future. Are you experiencing any adverse symptoms?

[Nattycake in reply to Buddy195]

HelloThank you so much for your reply.

I haven't had key Vitamin tests for a while. Guessing that might be next steps!

TSH 3.02 (0.27-4.2)

FT3 4.7 (3.1-6.8)

FT4 15.7 (12-22)

I have been experiencing vague symptoms for the last year such as aching muscles, digestive issues (I do have IBS), recently I have had some weight gain.

Its just come as a bit of a shock as I didn't realise they had even tested thyroid.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Nattycake]

I would 100% test key vitamins. It may be worth having a look at Medichecks, as they are offering 20% off at the moment.

TSH should be under 2 ( with most members reporting they feel best when significantly under 1) so this highlights your thyroid is struggling a little. However, it is very unlikely that you would be offered any treatment (Levothyroxine) until TSH approaches 10.

Getting key vitamins optimal will really help your thyroid health; so do share these levels with us once tested. Please don’t consider supplements until you have tested first.

Are you gluten free? Have you ever been tested for coeliac? Adopting a GF diet helps many people with auto immune thyroid issues. It is one of the best changes I’ve ever made!

Please keep posting if you need further support or advice. We are a friendly group! 🦋

[Nattycake in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you so much for your replies. I will see if GP will check vitamins if not I'll go down another route. I had coeliac bloods about 13 months ago and they were normal.

Not currently GF but will definitely consider it if it helps 😊

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Nattycake]

I would seriously consider trialling GF for a couple of months. I followed forum advice to do this and feel so much better. I’d never touch it again. It considerably reduced my antibodies/ improved my inflammation symptoms/ 100% resolved my gastritis issues.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

High TPO antibodies confirms autoimmune thyroid disease

GP should test for coeliac disease at diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

1.1 Recognition of coeliac disease

1.1.1 Offer serological testing for coeliac disease to:

people with any of the following:

persistent unexplained abdominal or gastrointestinal symptoms

faltering growth

prolonged fatigue

unexpected weight loss

severe or persistent mouth ulcers

unexplained iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency

type 1 diabetes, at diagnosis

autoimmune thyroid disease, at diagnosis

irritable bowel syndrome (in adults)

first‑degree relatives of people with coeliac disease.

politely but firmly request vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin tested too

[Nattycake in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you very much 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nattycake]

Get tested BEFORE considering trial on 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

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/296...

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

nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...

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

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

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

With loads of vegan dairy alternatives these days it’s not as difficult as in the past

Post discussing gluten

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Nattycake in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. My bloods about a year ago came back negative for Coeliac and I got diagnosed with IBS so I will see if GP will repeat it, if not I will buy a private test and take it from there. Thank you for all your helpful advice and information!

[Nattycake]

Helli i hope everyone is well. Just thought I would update on my recent blood tests Serum TSH 5.77 (0.35-4.94)

Free T4 12.6 (9.01-19.05)

Ferritin 19 (20-204)

Folate 4.2 (3.1-20.5)

Vitamin D 39.9 (50-150)

I'll need to book an appointment with GP to see what they advise.