I finally have the blood results that caused the doc to refer me to endocrinology and prescribe Carbimazole and Propranolol.
There is a lot on this form. Please can you tell me what is relevant to diagnose thyroid issues and possibly Graves disease?
I am happy to share any results but far too much was tested to include it all - it has:
Urea and Electrolytes,
Liver Function,
Full Blood Count,
Differential White Blood Cell Count,
Thyroid Function.
The ones out of range appear to be:
(Liver function)
Serum alanine aminotransferase
64 iu/L (0.00-33.0) above
(Thyroid Function)
Serum free T4 37.3 (11.1-22.0) above
Serum TSH <0.01 (0.27-4.2) below
(Full blood count)
Red blood cell count 4.93 10*12/L
(3.8-4.8) above
Thank you so much
ETA - I do not drink or take illegal drugs, so the liver result is concerning. I do have a history of DVT and PE, so the red blood cells may be due to that.
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This shows an overactive thyroid, I think they usually do a TRAb antibodies test to confirm it is Graves rather than a Hashi flare... did they do a TPO or TPA test?
We need to see readings / ranges for thyroid antibodies :
probably written as TPO : or TgAB - or TRab or TSI - plus a range and which is/are and over range and the medical proof of a diagnosis and why the drug is prescribed.
Might also read as a Thyroid Receptor or TSH Receptor blocking or stimulating antibody -
It may have come through a day or two after this full blood test result ?
I don't have that. Everything pertaining to the thyroid is posted above.
I had another set of tests in January that have been uploaded in a different format, and another set done today that has just come through. I will post pictures.
I think you need to be going back to around the time of diagnosis to see the anti body blood tests - so think we're looking at October time last year ?
What is printed below the thyroid function test on this first screen shot ?
Carbimazole can affect liver function and if thought necessary you should be switched to the alternative Anti Thyroid drug - Propylthiouracil - PTU - for short :
Ok then - what about sending an email to the Endo's secretary asking for confirmation of diagnosis detailing which antibodies were found positive and over range in your bloods at diagnosis ?
I'm so grateful, I'm just frustrated that everyone else seems to have the same tests done and mine are different. Plus I'm one of the few who got fat from an overactive thyroid! Though the medication is also having the opposite effect and I seem to be losing it now. I feel... utterly backwards!
Thanks for all your advice. I'll wait to hear back to my email.
Just try not to worry - I was diagnosed at age 57 back in 2004 - told I had Graves Disease and that I couldn't die from ' it ' and that my white blood cell count was very low and that if I experienced any side effects from the Carbimazole to go directly to A & E :
I had no other reference, no internet nor Google and simply followed instructions -
Thankfully my crippling insomnia was resolved which was the reason for my going to the doctor back in 2004 - I had been verbally abused and physically threatened by a man I employed as my assistant manager a few months earlier but thought I'd dealt with all that and moved on and on reflection had also experienced the loss of my only brother, mother and father all within a few years of each other !!!
I only started my research into my health some 10 years post RAI thyroid ablation for Graves - when more ill than ever - and now we have research backing up my ill health consequences caused by the RAI throid ablation, but still the NHS deny the research and RAI is still the first line , and sometimes only treatment option offered.
Anyway - as for the weight - don't worry - your metabolism is running slow / fast/ slow and Graves antibodies can block or stimulate metabolism - at any given time - and all the AT drug does is try to minimise the extremes of symptoms this immune system malfunction can throw at you.
I believe I have been udiagnosed hypothyroid all my life - I experienced a brief spell of ' wellness when on the AT drug ' if by that you mean I ate for England and lost weight - but once I'd drunk that toxic substance I was primary hypothyroid and over weight as I had been all my life -
You deserve to know your antibody results at diagnosis - and who wouldn't be frustrated - it's a simply question and just needs a simply 1 line answer :
P.S.As your thyroid levels fall back down into range the AT drug is generally titrated down again - as otherwise you risk your thyroid hormones continue to fall too far through the ranges leaving you with a ' too slowed metabolism ' with you experiencing the equally disabling symptoms of hypothyroid.
My gosh, what a terrible time you've been through! I'm so sorry you had to suffer all that. Good for you for taking control. It's so hard to advocate for yourself without the right knowledge.
And thank you. I really appreciate the time you've taken to reply.
I have just had a very long call with the endocrinologist, and they were very helpful. They apologised that so little has been explained to me, and that the antibody test wasn't done earlier but confirmed it was done during my blood tests this morning. Apparently this goes to a different lab and will take a few weeks to show on my results. It sounds like he firmly believes it is Graves due to eye symptoms.
My liver function was being hurt by Thyrotoxicosis, as was everything else, and has come back normal from today's tests.
He has sent my GP a letter to change the Carbimazole to PTU, and to swap the Propranolol for a different beta blocker. He thinks most of my current symptoms are actually a side effect of the Propranolol because my blood pressure is far too low.
I feel heard for the first time today. He said I can email anytime and he will endeavour to call me.
Thank you all for your support. I would not have emailed had I not been reading the advice on here.
Ok the PTU may read as a bigger dose than the Carbimazole - don't worry these are very different drugs and the Propranolol also tends to slow T4 to T3 conversion -
I've never needed to take a beta blocker but do read you need to come off Propranolol slowly -
so if not sure just start a new post when you get the new drugs along with your results from today and hopefully forum members can talk you through this switch of drugs.
So guessing there was still no Free T3 reading on these new results ?
How are your eyes - are you using any preparations - as previously mentioned - please ensure all are Preservative Free even those prescribed and check out where your nearest TED outpost clinic is - tedct.org.uk
Yes, he said I'll be taking 100mg twice a day for now (of the PTU).
Propranolol I am cutting in half, then moving to the new one (which I have now forgotten the name of. I'll blame my symptoms!)
I got a bit emotional and forgot to ask about T3 but I will take notes to my appointment. If everything else is improving and they're confirming the Graves diagnosis, I'm a lot less worried.
My eyes have been sore and watery for years. I didn't have any idea it was related until I Googled Graves disease. They are super sensitive to light, and my Fiancé jokes we may as well live in a cave because I will only permit soft lamps! Knowing this is Graves is very new, so I will do more reading and discuss further with the endocrinologist at my appointment. Thank you for the link. I have some dry eye drops, but they have never really helped, so I rarely bother with them. I do also wear glasses already and am due an eye test soon.
I will ensure I check anything I use for preservatives, thank you again.
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