Any guidance would be much appreciated please… this is all new to me. I managed to persuade my GP that I have symptoms of hashimotos and to humour me a TSH test , T4 /T3 and anti TPO blood test was done. However the bloods were done at 10:30am, I’ve been having biotin in my multi vitamin and drank coffee before the test (not realising the above have an effect on the test result).
My results are TSH are 4.0 ml/Ul (0.3-5.5)
T4 level is 10.4 pmol/L (10.0-22.0)
Triiodothyronine is 4.1 pmol/L (3.1-6.8)
Anti TPO test 603 (normal 0.0-24.9).
I’ve been really ill since January subsequently got diagnosed with pernicious anaemia , long story short have had way over the normal loading doses for B12 deficiency and have been taking multi vitamins, magnesium and potassium tabs.
My biggest debilitating symptom is lethargy , being cold (have to have 40c baths to warm body) and joint and muscle pains.
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Karenedawson
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GP should retest thyroid again in another 6-8 weeks
Book 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)
Free T4 (fT4) 10.4 pmol/L (10 - 22)
Ft4 only 3.3% through range
Free T3 (fT3) 4.1 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8)
Ft3 only 27.0% through range
Ft4 is absolutely rock bottom and Ft3 far too low
Likely low vitamin levels
Request GP tests folate, vitamin D and full iron panel including ferritin NOW
And as per NICE guidelines you need coeliac blood test too
Multivitamins are NEVER recommended on here, especially for Hashimoto’s
Most contain iodine, which can make hashimoto’s worse
Stop multivitamins
Get tested and then supplement GOOD QUALITY separate vitamins as required
As you have PA and B12 injections you should be taking daily vitamin B complex. This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and may help improve B12 levels between injections too
Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) Thorne can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
Given the consistancy of results, I would say yes - although I balk at saying 'subclinical' because that means 'without symptoms', and you have symptoms - because it would be unusual for the biotin to make every result wrong.
And your TSH is too high - unfortunately not high enough for a doctor to diagnose! - but a euthyroid (normal) TSH would be around 1, so that is high and hypo.
Your FT4 is only 3.33% through the range! Should be around 50%. And your FT3 is not much better at 27.03%. Should be around 50% but slightly lower than the FT4. And the fact that is is higher than the FT4 suggests that the thyroid is failing, because that's what it does when the thyroid is failing.
And, of course, antibodies don't lie, and they are screaming 'Hashi's' - or Autoimmune Thyroiditis, and they say in the UK.
Drinking coffee would only have affected the TSH, not the other results. Also, it would have been higher if the blood draw had been before 9 am. So, next time you test - and you much keep testing until you get results that interest a GP - make sure you get the blood draw before 9 am and only drink water until afterwards.
Multi-vits are never recommended on here, for many reasons. One of them being that they usually contain iodine and that is an absolute no-no for people who are hypo - especially with Hashi's. So, if I were you, I'd get my vit D, folate and ferritin tested and just take what is needed to optimise them - we can help you with that.
As you are having vit B12 shots, are you taking a daily B complex to keep the Bs balanced? Because they all work together.
Hypothyroidism is a common co morbidity of PA. You have Hashimoto's. You have symptoms are consistent with Hypothyroidism and you are unwell. Your thyroid panel results are all close to demonstrating Hypothyroidism. Your GP should have started you on a trial of levothyroxine to see if you respond thereby confirming or refuting the diagnosis. You could ask them - a trial always sounds better.
Karen, I have nothing of value to add except to offer you some moral support. I have been in your shoes and it’s not a fun place to be. I have had Hashimotos for about 8 years although I didn’t even realize it was Hashimotos until joining this group. It’s hard to be your own advocate when you feel so unwell but you are in the right place, and there is light at the end of the tunnel!
Can you take someone with you to help fight your battle with your GP+advocate for you? Get all the info you can get here prior to the appt+sock it to yet another ignorant GP!! 😁
"Be your own Thyroid Advocate" book by Rachel Hill is packed full of useful advice, she also has a great website to take a look at. I found the information easy to digest as written by a fellow patient rather than a medical professional xxx
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