Climbing TSH What should I expect to happen treatment wise

[CarolineCaroline]

I have had a variety of thyroid blood tests done over the last 12 months. The First few showed subclinical hyperthyroidism. Then one test recently showed subclinical hypothyroidism.

I don’t feel like myself. I have no get up and go at all. I’m either uncomfortably hot or uncomfortably cold. I’m very anxious and now starting to feel quite low in mood. I usually do weights classes regularly and walk 3 miles every couple of days. My exercise is how I look after my mental health and keep it upbeat and healthy.

Now that my exercise has all stopped as I haven’t the energy.

Today I’ve just had the next set of blood results back. These were taken at 0830 and I had only drank a little water, to keep the results accurate.

These are the results

TSH 6.09 (0.34 - 5.6)

T4 10.5 (7.5 - 21.1)

T3 4.8 (3.8 - 6.8)

Vitamin D3 61 (60 - 150)

Serum Ferritin 53 (10 - 180)

B12 631 (110 - 914)

When I saw my Gp and explained that my energy levels are poor and I don’t feel myself at all. He said I need to wait and have these tests done again every 8 weeks and see if it settles out. Then potentially I may be medicated with Thyroxine.

I appreciate in my previous posts after detailing my historic results , that others have advised this is likely to be Hashimoto’s.

Im also awaiting ENT consultation about a nodule on my left lobe Thyroid.

What treatment if any should I be expecting with these results ?

Is my GP correct. Will I simply have to be patient and wait this out.

[GlowCoach Administrator]

Doctors don't like to begin treatment for hypothyroidism until they are really sure that your thyroid isn't going to recover and your raised TSH isn't caused temporarily by being ill with something else.

NICE guidelines state that you can be diagnosed and treated with 2 TSH raised results 3 months apart or one above 10.

There is variation in when treatment begins depending on who's making the decision. Some doctors are far more cautious than others but you could now begin pushing to begin Levothyroxine at 50mcgs a day.

Did they test your folate level?

Supplementing low vitamin levels caused by low stomach acid can improve some symptoms in the mean time.

Vitamin D should be around 100 - 150. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Many members like the ‘Better You’ range of mouth sprays that contain both bit D & K2. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150.grassrootshealth.net/projec...

Ferritin should be around 90 - 100 for best use of thyroid hormone. Suggest increasing iron rich foods in diet and eating them often. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc

Your result for B12 is a serum B12 test. Your result looks OK but privately you can test active B12 which is a more accurate reflection of your B12 status. See link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost.thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

There is also a new company offering walk in (includes free blood draw) & mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

Have you tried a strictly gluten free diet yet?

[CarolineCaroline in reply to GlowCoach]

Thank you for answering my numerous questions. I can now understand that the doctor would need to see the full picture.

When you say raised TSH, do you mean above range ? Sorry I’m new to the complexities of our Thyroid blood results and the conditions.

They did test my Folate level which looked okay.

Serum Folate 20 (3.1 - 19.9)

I am going to arrange a private blood test to get exact details on B12 and get hold of some of the Vitsmin D & K2 Better for you spray.

I haven’t tried a gluten free diet yet. But I am planning to try this next. I’ll try anything to my mojo back.

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions and advice I’m so glad I found this forum, everyone is very helpful. 😊

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to CarolineCaroline]

When you say raised TSH, do you mean above range ?

Yes, thats what I mean.

Your folate is good.

Prbably best to use Medichecks or Blue Horizon for the B12 test. Monitor My Health is an NHS lab so only offers serum B12.

[Wua13262348 in reply to GlowCoach]

Hi Jaydee. It seems to be the anaemia test you need to do with Monitor My Health to bet B12 checked, but it is active b12 they test. It is very rare indeed for the NHS to test active B12, practically always serum total B12 is done. You get active b12 if you are paying for it, it would seem!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous posts show you have Hashimoto’s (high thyroid antibodies)

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Work on improving low vitamin levels

Retest thyroid again in 2-3 months

With two tests with TSH over 5, symptoms and high thyroid antibodies you should be started on levothyroxine

Starting levothyroxine - flow chart

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...