Thyroid uptake scan results

[Hungryallthetimes]

hi folks,

In February I was diagnosed as hyperthyroid.

My T4 was high at 38 (ref range 11-22). TPOAb high at 178 (range 0-35). TRAb negative at 3 (ref 0-3.3).

I was referred recently for a thyroid uptake scan to conclude Graves diagnosis. Findings:

The thyroid gland is not enlarged however there is a diffuse uptake activity within both lobes of the thyroid gland in a slightly asymmetrical distribution L>R. The thyroid uptake function is calculated at 5.2% (normal range 0.4-4%).

Conclusion: scan findings are suggestive of underlying Grave’s disease.

I would love to hear anyone’s opinion on these results. In specific,

Is 5.2% very high? How does this compare to others?

Does this 5.2% correlate somehow to T4 amounts?

NB. Last bloods came back euthyroid. Carbimazole reduced to 10mcg and I feel ok, was concerned I’d return to hyper but my heart rate has remained in the mid 60s and I’ve even started to go for long distance runs again.

Thank you in advance! X

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change in Carbimazole

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once for autoimmune HYPOTHYROID also called Hashimoto’s

Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms before becoming increasingly hypothyroid

Your mildly raised TPO could be Hashimoto’s, rather than Graves’ disease, especially with negative Trab

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with either Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease autoimmune thyroid disease

Have you had cholesterol levels tested

High cholesterol suggests hypo

Low cholesterol suggests hyper

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[Hungryallthetimes in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks. I was definitely hyper, without a doubt. BMI 16, heart racing, etc. TSH none existent and hasn’t yet emerged from 0.01.

Carbimazole has rectified my hyperthyroidism quickly and I continue to be on a good path on 10mcg of the ATD.

The question is more around if it is actually Graves or not. Like how significant is a thyroid uptake scan of 5.2%?

[Hungryallthetimes in reply to SlowDragon]

I have one more question, if I may!

How long would transient hyperthyroidism last?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hungryallthetimes]

Can be few weeks, can be several months

Small by steady number of Hashimoto’s patients turn up on this forum, initially misdiagnosed as hyperthyroidism.

If TSI or Trab antibodies are negative for Graves’ disease, looks more likely Hashimoto’s, especially with raised TPO

Graves’ disease patients can have mildly raised TPO, but would normally (always?) have high Trab /high TSI antibodies too

Could be a “hot” nodule chucking out excess Ft4 and/or Ft3 regardless of low TSH

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[Hungryallthetimes in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for sharing SlowDragon

I don’t have any lumps and the RAIU scan didn’t seem to pick up any nodules…

You may be onto something with the Hashimotos diagnosis. I guess time will tell.

Dr Google can’t seem to tell me if 5.2% RAIU result is significant or not either 🤷‍♀️

Ultimately today I feel good. So I won’t wish my life away and I’ll just have to go with the flow…

I’m on Vit D, selenium, magnesium and B12. Have a thyroid premium test waiting to be done as soon as I book in the blood test, to see how my vitamin panel is doing. Will let you know!

Thanks 🙏

[PurpleNails Administrator]

If it were transient hyper from Hashimoto’s then the elevated levels are caused from damaged thyroid cells, not from an over producing thyroid. The uptake would show as normal or low if the damage has developed.

The uptake scan show increased activity ie the thyroid is producing too much hormone.

A hot nodule would also be clear detected because the concentration is focused in 1 area, your scan shows it is diffuse (even uptake throughout both lobes)

Dr has noted asymmetrical distribution (L>R) so one side seems more active than the other, but that might be how your thyroid has always functioned or you may have had some autoimmune damage (Hashimoto’s) occurring and you have both autoimmune going on.

That could explain the “mild” version of graves’

The uptake is above the range. Uptake ranges are same principle as thyroid ranges. They will vary depending on which machine is measuring o4 calculating what’s set as normal.

How regularly are levels checked? 6 weekly seems fair to monitor for fluctuations. It may be a case or carefully tweaking carbimazole for a long as you need to.

[Hungryallthetimes in reply to PurpleNails]

Interesting, this could well be the case! I suspect some sort of Hashi going on, although I don’t have any hypo symptoms at all. Only suspicion arises out of high TPOAb. I almost think I had a mega bout of postpartum thyroiditis and I’ve just never managed to find my equilibrium since then. (I’m now 2.2 years postpartum).

Next blood test is 21st, 4 weeks after my Carbimazole reduction. I anticipate will review once the data is in and then set on a regular path, if all is well.