I am a bit scared because I received some alarming blood test results. Everything started a couple of months ago when I began experiencing severe episodes of itching all over my body. I went to see my doctor to investigate this issue, and they prescribed some general tests to check my overall condition.
The results showed a low TSH value and a borderline high T4, suggesting that I might have subclinical hyperthyroidism. My doctor ordered further tests, and I had to wait almost a month for an appointment. These latest results came in yesterday, and they are out of range, including my thyroid antibodies.
The focus has now shifted from my itching to my thyroid issues. Today I requested a phone appointment with my GP to discuss the results, but the earliest available slot is on July 3rd, which means I have to wait another 13 days.
This is causing me a lot of anxiety because I'm not sure what to think or expect ☹️
From the tests done at the beginning of May to the recent ones, my TSH has dropped even further, so something is really going on. I would really appreciate some comfort or clarification from anyone who is in the same situation or has more knowledge about this. The waiting time is frightening, and I'm not sure what else I can do.
Thank you for your help.
Here are the results of my tests:
8 May 2024
TSH 0.23 mU/L range 0.27 to 4.20
T4 18.8 pmol/L range 11.9 to 21.6
19 June
TSH 0.07 mU/L range 0.27 to 4.20
T4 20.8 pmol/Lrange 11.9 to 21.6
T3 5.5 pmol/L range 3.10 to 6.80
Serum parathyroid hormone: 3.8 pmol/L range 1.6 to 6.9
Thyroid peroxidase Abs: 77 IU/mL range 0 to 34
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Lunatika
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Absolutely nothing to be worried about. You have Autoimmune Thyroiditis but it's not a death sentence. Millions of us have the same.
Autoimmune Thyroiditis - aka Hashi's - is an autoimmune disease (hence the antibodies) that attacks the thyroid, slowly destroying it. Yes, I know that sounds horrendous but if you are correctly treated, you've nothing to worry about.
Hashi's starts off with a false 'hyper' period, which is what you seem to be going through at the moment. That means that the thyroid hormone levels - T4 and T3 are high - althouugh yours are really not all that high - and therefore the TSH is low.
Don't worry about the TSH. It doesn't do anthing much except roughly indicate your thyroid status. I don't want to bog you down with too much information at the moment, but if you want more details, just say.
The most important number is the FT3 level, because it's T3 that causes symptoms - like itching - when it's too high or too low. Yours isn't too high right now, so you are probably coming out of your hyper phase, which is only temporary, and levels go down by themselves. The TSH takes longer to regularise, but it will eventuallyl. So, for the moment, there's proably nothing to be done.
With time, however - maybe years, who knows - the thyroid will become less and less able to make thyroid hormone, and you will become hypothyroid, and need thyroid hormone replacement. But you're probably not quite there, yet. Just keep up regular testing to stay on top of it.
And don't worry about the antibodies. They are just an indicator of the disease, not the disease itself. They fluctuate all the time but the actual number doesn't mean anything once you know they are positive. So, no point in re-testing them.
It's very unkind of the medical system to keep you in the dark for such a long time, not knowing what is going on. But that's the state of the NHS at the moment. When you do see your doctor, please be aware that he will probably not understand your results himself. Doctors are not trained to deal with thyroid problems and have very little understanding of it all. So, whatever he says, please check back here for confirmation. We are the patients that live with the disease, and therefore the specialists! Although I doubt your doctor would agree.
But, above all, don't worry, you're going to be alright. And you're not alone, because you've got all of us, and we've got your back! Let us know how you get on. x
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and for your reassuring message. It's comforting to hear from someone who understands and has experience.
I really appreciate your explanation. I'm still learning about this condition, and your insights have been incredibly helpful.
Could you please share more about how you were able to determine that it's early Hashimoto's instead of Graves' disease based on my test results? I jusy want to understand more about the differences and what to look out for in the future.
Could you please share more about how you were able to determine that it's early Hashimoto's instead of Graves' disease based on my test results?
Well, for a start, your blood test results:
TSH 0.23 mU/L range 0.27 to 4.2
T4 18.8 pmol/L range 11.9 to 21.6
It's typical of the present thyroid-treatment lunacy to call results like that 'subclinical' hyperthyroidism, when you are nowhere near hyperthyroid! The TSH is only slightly below range and the FT4 is still well within range. If you were hyper, your TSH would be unreadable and your FT4 up to 10 x over-range - certainly with Graves' it would be that high.
On your second lot of results, The TSH has dropped again, but is still readable and your FT4 is still in-range. And the FT3 is only 64.86% through the range. With Graves' it would be much, much higher than that. 64% is only slightly above euthyroid (no thyroid problems).
Then, we have the antibodies. Whilst you can have high TPO antibodies with Graves', if you take that result in conjunction with the other three readings, it's obvious that you don't have Graves' but Hashi's.
You cannot take one reading and base a diagnosis on that - although that is exactly what doctors try to do! You need to look at all four readings and understand how they effect each other. And the sum-total of your results is Hashi's.
If doctors do suspect Graves it’s important to test TRab or TSI antibodies. Positive TRab or TSI antibodies supports Graves diagnosis. TPO & TG are often positive in both autoimmune conditions (Hashi & graves)
Graves does tend to present with very high FT4 & FT3 and severe symptoms developing quickly, but there’s no rule with thyroid. Sometimes levels build slowly or do not reach what’s considered typically high enough for Graves.
Any continuous FT4 / FT3 elevation from over production would require treatment. It’s too soon to begin any sort of treatment now. Monitoring over time will tell.
These results - as they stand - suggest you are dealing with Hashimoto's - a thyroid Auto Immune Disease -
Your T3 and T4 are both in ranges in all the blood tests -
However you have over range and positive TPO antibodies -and this the medical evidence and proof of disease - and that is autoimmune thyroiditis - commonly referred to as Hashimoto's.
You might like to read around and many forum members find the research and suggestions of Dr Izabella Wentz useful - thyroidpharmacist.com
If Graves were suspected the T3 and / or T4 would likely be much higher and out of range -and a further blood test run for TSH - Thyroid Receptor antibodies - generally written as a TRab.
I want to express my gratitude for the useful explanations you have provided to help me understand my situation better. You are all so kind and knowledgeable 😊
The part that confuses me the most is understanding how to act now, what I can do myself, and the lifestyle changes I can make to try to minimize symptoms and support my body. From what I understand from your explanations, it is premature for me to consider medication at this stage.
Currently, my symptoms are those of an overactive thyroid: weight loss, heat sensitivity and hot flashes, nervousness, constant feeling that my eyes are tired and irritated. etc. I am uncertain where the itching fits into all this because I find conflicting opinions; some say thyroid dysfunctions can cause this issue, while others say it is not related at all.
Moreover, if I study the history of my blood tests, I see a pattern starting in 2021 where my TSH has progressively decreased over the years, while on the other hand, T4 has gradually increased (while staying within the limits)
Therefore, on one hand, I see this trend and have the mentioned symptoms; on the other hand, as you say, I am dealing with Hashimoto's disease.
Now, what kind of changes do you recommend to try to improve my condition and possibly prevent escalation and worsening? Is there anything I can do now? What direction should I follow, considering my current symptoms are somewhat opposite to Hashimoto's (I do not have any symptoms of this disease yet)?
Hello Lunatika and welcome. This forum is so supportive and helpful. Just keep asking like I did when I first found the site and had been told I had Hashi's, but no explaination or help from the medical staff.
You ask what you can do now - and I would recommend getting a full test of vitamins, and iron. You may find you are low in one or two and getting these right now helps your whole body and supports your thyroid. Itchy skin can be low Vit B or D. You can ask your GP to do this, but it is unlikely they will do Vit D, so you may have to do a private test. Lots of info on that here. You can have a very good diet but still be lacking in one or two vits, and most of us are low in Vit D because of the lack of sunshine here.
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