My first blood tests prior to taking medication were as follows
TSH 110.64 ref range 0.35-6.5
T4 2.3 ref range 10.5-21
T3 1.2 ref range 3.5-6.5
after 7 weeks of medication I have had repeat bloods and I’m now at the following
Same ranges
TSH 11.13
T4 15.9
T3 5.7
I’ve been told to have repeat bloods in 3 months as it’s borderline. Which seems crazy to me because 11.13 is not borderline.
I still feel ill. Tired, low mood, dry skin, no appetite and chest pain.
Can you give me some words of advice for the GP so I can go in prepared. Dr has not tested any vitamins, apart from ferritin which was fine. but I did do a private Vit D test which was low which I’m now on supplements.
I have very high antibody blood results.
thank you!
Written by
WallyOct1
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Hi. You are NOT borderline as you were severely hypothyroid initially ,autoimmune cause, and the aim is now to reduce your symptoms and help you feel better by getting your TSH down, T4 up . Your dose will be fine tuned once you get the TSH under 1 and the T4 up towards the top end of range. The 'borderline' quote is one that's sometimes used for patients whose TSH is creeping up from a normal in range level who isn't currently on levo and shouldn't be used here.. Some GPs won't treat initially until TSH is over 10. I had similar readings to yours before being treated. No T4 detected at all I was that bad.. It takes months to improve things , adjusting dose, ensuring iron and vits are optimal and I've gone gluten free in a valiant aim to reduce antibodies. I'd lost a lot of hair and all my body hair.My hair took 6-9 months to start growing back in a noticeable way when I started treatment. I find the clinical pharmacist if you have a good one at your surgery, more knowledgeable than the GP. I hope you feel better soon.
I’ve been told to have repeat bloods in 3 months as it’s borderline.
This is complete nonsense and it sounds to me as if whoever checked your blood results didn't read your notes properly and see your previous blood results, and that you have already started treatment.
I'd recommend making an appointment with your GP or at least getting a phone call and insist that you need a dose increase of 25mcgs. Your TSH is still way above range and you should be aiming to get it to 1 or just under where most people feel well.
While you're in contact with the GP, ask for blood tetss for B12 & folate.
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
thank you for all your comments all very helpful. I had my appointment today and the Dr agreed to up my dose to 75mcg although I really had to push her. She was concerned as I am having chest pain and my heart rate is 106 and has been since my last appointment. Still sent me on my way though without any further investigations!
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