I went to the doctors last October with symptoms of hypothyroidism and having had a private test. I was told that it would probably be a good idea to start me on Thyroxine but that I should have a further blood test to check - my TSH had gone down again and so I wasn't given it. I've since had a further private test and its gone up again.
I'm going back to the GP next week to have a further blood test - should I be pushing for Thyroxine based on my results (see picture). I do have several symptoms.
Thank you so much in advance of any help given.
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Catface123
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Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start. Fill out the free text box at the top.
Do you have the reference range for each of the tests, particularly TSH? This is important as ranges vary between labs.
What time of day was each test? Recommended timing is to have blood tests at 9am or earlier when TSH is highest.
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.
Which private lab did you use? The NHS will sometimes accept results from Monitor My Health which is an NHS lab.
Your latest TSH looks above range. You need 2 TSH results above range, 3 months apart by the NHS to get a diagnosis and begin treatment.
You could try and push for treatment but some GPs are sticklers and they may want to retest in a few months to check this isn't a one off result caused by something else.
Have you also had key vitamins tested - ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? If so what were the results?
When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins.
Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...
There is also a new company offering walk in& mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...
Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.
Its good to also test thyroid antibodies. There are 2 types, NHS only tests TPO but provately you can also test Tg antibodies.
You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.
Wow! That was so helpful. Thank you. My private tests were done through Monitor My Health and my next doctor's test is first thing on a morning so I will make sure I go fasted.
I'll update my profile and digest all the information you've given. Thanks so much.
Thats very useful that your results are from MMH. Take along your previous results to show the pattern and you might be lucky and GP will accept the previous results although the January result might just be within range. Drive home to them that MMH is an NHS lab so results should be accepted.
Last thing. If they should start you on Levothyroxine, push to start on 50mcgs which is the starter dose for otherwise healthy people.
Sometimes GPs are super conservative and offer 25mcgs as a starter dose which can make symptoms worse as its not enough to replace what your thyroid is already putting out. Levo replaces your own thyroid hormone, it doesn't top it up.
Your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid 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
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
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
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
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