Latest Private Test: Hi there, I'm still waiting... - Thyroid UK

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Latest Private Test

Ciri profile image
Ciri
16 Replies

Hi there, I'm still waiting on a telephone app with my GP, but my new private antibody test results have come back. I get these done myself as we know GP's and the Endo situation is pretty poor for most of us, as our symptoms often get dismissed. The last endo appt said I may be at risk of developing Hashi's but didn't feel the need to medicate, this was approx a year and a half ago.

In this latest test, the FT4 is now showing as abnormal as well as the antibodies, which would make sense for the weight I've put on and cannot seem to lose, even in calorie deficit for some time now.

I'm just worried that the GP will dismiss me and decide its not worth another referral to Endo. I'm attaching the results for you guys to see.

I just need respite from these symptoms, and to know I'm not going mad.

I'd appreciate any advice

Ciri x

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Ciri
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16 Replies
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator

Was there also a TSH result and what was it?

What time of day did you test?

Did you follow the recommended protocol?

Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)? Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day.

Have you also tested key vitamins ferritin, folate B12 & D3? We get low levels due to low stomach acid.

Have you tried a strictly gluten free diet? This helps many with Hashi's.

Ciri profile image
Ciri in reply toJaydee1507

Hi, yes I did follow protocol and did the test first thing, I'm attaching the full lab report.The GP has the results from the NHS test, done in a few days of each other

Results
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toCiri

So what were the vitamin results? These are essential.

Supplementing low vitamin levels can improve symptoms both before and after diagnosis.

Have you had any above range TSH results? Sometimes thats all GP's Endo's will look at and usually you need 2x TSH results above range 3 months apart tested on the NHS.

That said, depending on the opinion of your GP/Endo you might get treatment with a below range FT4.

Ciri profile image
Ciri in reply toJaydee1507

From my NHS app it looks like he hasn't requested tests for vit levels, but this is the NHS thyroid test result, gp comment said 'normal'

Test
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toCiri

Strangely the NHS TSH at 1.3 isn;t bad at all but you could have whats called secondary hypo where the FT4 is below range.

Low vitamin levels can keep your TSH from raising properly. Suggest you get some private tests run and post results in a new post.

Ciri profile image
Ciri in reply toJaydee1507

Thank you very much Jaydee

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

next step get GP to do blood test for coeliac disease - as per NICE guidelines

And ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

Are you vegetarian or vegan

Male or female

Pre or post menopause

Ciri profile image
Ciri in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you, I will talk to him this week, and request vits done. I've emailed the private tests over to him.I'm female, post menopause, on HRT and not vegetarian.

The weight gain over the last few months is ridiculous, and I can't seem to shift it even with calorie deficit and exercise. My diet is healthy, vitamin enriched, protein and plenty of fresh veg and very low fat.

Test
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

dieting can make things worse

And we need plenty of good fats

Nuts, avocado, olive oil etc

Ciri profile image
Ciri in reply toSlowDragon

Yes, nuts, seeds and good fats I have incorporated into my nutrition.Fresh greens juiced.

If I don't keep a low fat diet, I will continue to gain weight and become at risk for all kinds of nasties.

This has been going on for about 3 to 4 years now

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Get GP to check oestrogen and progesterone levels too

What HRT are you using

Estrogen dominance as trigger for hashimoto’s

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic....

Ciri profile image
Ciri in reply toSlowDragon

The HRT is Femoston, it's both estrogen and testosterone.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toCiri

Buddy195 may pop along and comment on HRT

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator

By the way there are much cheaper private tests available that also check vitamin levels for a cheaper price.

Popular with members are Monitor My Health (NHS lab), Medichecks and Blue Horizon. See link for discount codes offered by Thyroid UK for a further 10% off.

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

Ciri profile image
Ciri in reply toJaydee1507

Ok thank you very much.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

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

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 as per NICE Guidelines

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

Or buy a test online, about £20

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...

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