I would be grateful for some advice regarding the below results .
I always feel tired , and lack energy . Have symptoms of anxiety and depression . Have put on a little weight , especially mid section and cannot shift the bloating on my stomach and always feel bloated and constipated for about 3 months .
ferritin , folate and b12 were also checked and they were optimum . Except serum calcium a little high at 2.63 mmol/L ( reference 2.10 - 2.55mmol/L) Not sure how relevant this is to my thyroids
I don’t take any supplements , but on Dr’s recommendation I will take vitamin D .
Test was taken at 10am before breakfast., only drank water after waking up and before the test .
prior to this test my last blood test was similar for t3 but TSH has massively reduced as it was 19 , but antibodies were much much higher .
Then prior to this test in March and again end of April , I had a fully suppressed TSH but elevated T3 on 2 repeat tests . I should note it was done very close together.
I am waiting for a referral to see an endocrinologist, but I just don’t know what to make of these varied results . The current test is 6 weeks since last one . Only thing that has changed is TSH has reduced from 19 to
confused and feeling down about all of this , and wondering whether all this is the reason for my 2.5 years of infertility .
not sure what type of thyroid condition I have , if any .
Thank you in advance
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Yasmina_
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What dose of levothyroxine have you been started on
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
ferritin , folate and b12 were also checked and they were optimum .
please add actual results and ranges
High calcium and low vitamin D
GP should be investigating this
High calcium suggests a possible parathyroid issue
You need Calcium, vitamin D and parathyroid levels tested TOGETHER at large phlebotomy department as parathyroid test has to processed immediately after blood draw
Very common for autoimmune HYPOthyroid (hashimoto’s) to initially start with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms before becoming increasingly hypothyroid
Google the Nutrients Team Protocol. There is heaps of very good information. Their Bronze protocol is free. The problem here in NZ is getting the doctors to do the tests and then to understand the meaning when you get the results.
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.
You have both types of antibodies positive which means you have autoimmune hypothyroidism aka Hashimoto's. It often starts with a brief period of hyperthyroidism followed by hypothyroidism.
Treatment usually begins with 2x TSH results above range, 3 months apart on the NHS or one TSH result above 10.
Its probably because you had a period of being hyper that your GP is a little confused but you should be starting Levo by now. Usual starting dose is 50mcgs for an otherwise healthy person.
Exactly what were your optimal results for ferritin, folate & B12?
Thyroid problems can certainly cause issues of infertility. Does your GP know you're trying for a baby? TSH needs to be under 2.5 if trying to conceive.
How much vit D are you taking? Its recommended to take vit K2 also to help it go to your bones. There are supplements containing both vitamins. Most people need a minimum of 3,000iu to get results to optimal.
I have only just ordered 1000 iu vitamin d, having started taking it , since I only found out I was low today .
yes , GP knows I’m trying for a baby . Very slow with his referral , then mid day I changed GP’s in order to get progressing as it became frustrating working with the old surgery . Restarting the whole process as we speak .
In your opinion, based on the current results what can be done to help me please ?
The trouble with Hashimoto's in the early days, your levels can swing about quite a bit. That said, I would have thought a TSH of 19 would have triggered your GP to begin prescribing Levo, so that should be the starting point, to begin treatment.
Next is to work on low vitamin levels and all of yours are less than optimal.
As you already have 1,000iu vit D, start by taking 3 per day and restest in 3-4 months to check thats enough. You can buy a different product once you finish that one.
Ferritin should be around 90 - 100 for best use of thyroid hormone. Suggest increasing iron rich foods in diet and eating them often. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc
If anything, an infection would usually push TSH up a little.
Your FT4 is bottom of the range though so its still time to begin treatment but keep in mind you're in the early stages of hashi's and results can swing either way at any point.
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
Hi Yasmina, It is a struggle to get all levels optimum. You have been given some good advice. I would just add that before you begin the Vit D supplements please ask for your PTH , Calcium and vit D checked again. If there is anything going on with your parathyroid taking supplements could increase your calcium further.
Parathyroid uk is a really good website to have a look at.
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