Hi all,
Just a quick question. When you have a private test, why do the results vary so much from the GP tests? My TSH tests when done privately come back in the 6 and 7s but when I go to GP and they run them it comes back in the low 5s and therefore ‘normal’. I feel like I’m just wasting money on the private ones as I achieve nothing. I take the tests under the same circumstances regarding times etc.
Have you looked at the lab ranges? I expect the lab ranges are different - mine always are but I tend to look at whereabouts my results are within the range and go from there.
My previous private test: 6.22 mu/L (0.27 - 4.2 mU/L). GP test: 3.18 mIU/L [0.3 - 5.5]
Private test: 6.59 mu/L (0.27 - 4.2). GP test: 5.10 mIU/L [0.3 - 5.5]
My latest private test is: 7.23 mu/L (0.27 - 4.2 mU/L) but to be honest, I don’t know if I have the energy to go back to my GP again to be told it’s ‘normal’
such a big difference between private/ GP is a bit unexpected with a TSH test, (TSH test's have been fairly well standardised nowadays .. well, better than fT4 / fT3 tests have been anyway)
were they taken same day ?
what time were the tests ?
however .. putting that issue aside for now , there is a clear rising trend in GP's TSH. and this trend is matched by the private ones..... so even if we can't decide which set of numbers we believe , it's clearly going in an upwards direction, and since private one has now gone up to 7.23 it's a fair bet that a GP test would be over-range now , since it was pretty close to top of GP's range last test (when private one was 6.59)
i'd get it done .
previous posts
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
High TPo antibodies confirms hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s
GP should be retesting thyroid levels and coeliac blood test if not had this yet
Extremely low B12
Has GP tested for pernicious anaemia yet
Are you now on B12 injections or daily B12 supplements
And daily vitamin B complex
Ferritin also far too low
ESSENTIAL to improve all four vitamins to optimal levels
Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH
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
Thyroid Levels Variation and Circadian Rhythm
What is a 'normal' variation in TSH levels? NHS chart needed!
Variations in lab ranges for TSH receptor antibodies
The lab ignored the doctor's test request
When to do blood test
