Blood test results , help please ? : Hello, I... - Thyroid UK

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Blood test results , help please ?

Yasmina_ profile image
26 Replies

Hello,

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 .

Thyroid Antibodies

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies

>600

TPO Interpretation

POSITIVE

( there was no reference range for this )

Thyroglobulin Antibodies

312 IU/ml

Thyroglobulin 48.6 ug/L. - reference 0.00 - 0.10ug/L

Serum free T3 level - 4 pmol/L

(Reference : 3.10 - 6.80pmol/L)

THYROID FUNCTION TESTS

Serum TSH level - 6.22 mU/L

(Reference : 0.27 - 4.20mU/L)

Serum free T4 level - 12.2 pmol/L

(Reference : 11.90 - 21.60pmol/L)

25-OH VITAMIN D

Serum total 25-OH vit D level - 44 nmol/L

(Reference : 51.00 - 250.00nmol/L)

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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26 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

welcome to the forum

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 .

With TSH over 10, GP should have immediately started you on levothyroxine

Starting levothyroxine - flow chart

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...

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

parathyroid.com/high-calciu...

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

Serum total 25-OH vit D level - 44 nmol/L

(Reference : 51.00 - 250.00nmol/L)

Yasmina_ profile image
Yasmina_ in reply toSlowDragon

Thanks very much for your reply . Interesting what you said about parathyroid, I hadn’t heard of that before but just reading about . It makes sense .

I have to date never been on my kind of medication . This journey on began back in March , it was just a routine test .

Then it flagged hyperthyroid . Was asked to retest and thyroids antibodies were tested .

The initial tests and back in March were as follows :

TSh < 0.01 miu/l ( 0.27 - 4.20)

free thyroxine 30.1 pool/l ( 12.0 - 22 )

The repeat test was a couple of weeks later :

TSH < 0.01 ( 0.27-4.20 mU/L )

T4 19.8 ( 12.0-22.0 pmol/L)

Anti-TPO Anti-TG

1129 H ( < 25 ) IU/mL SH Anti-thyroid peroxidase

(TPO)

473 H ( < 40 ) IU/mL

The 3rd repeat test was done about 4 weeks later

Free Thyroxine (FT4) 9.8 ( (10.9 - 25.3)

(FT3) 4.69 (14.26 - 8.10)

(TSH) 19.37 ( 0.40 - 4.05)

The 4th repeat test is the figures on this post, which were done 6 weeks later .

I’m very confused by all of this , and not getting any medication or an actual diagnosis

On what’s going on with me. Overall become so overwhelmed and I know my anxiety isn’t helping the situation .

Other results on recent blood test :

Serum vitamin B12 - 462 ng/L ( 160.00 - 925.00ng/L)

Serum ferritin 63 ug/L ( 14.00 - 148.00ug/L)

FOLATE - 7.7 ug/L ( 2.90 - 50.00ug/L)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toYasmina_

Very common for autoimmune HYPOthyroid (hashimoto’s) to initially start with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms before becoming increasingly hypothyroid

Important to maintain good vitamin levels

GP should test for coeliac too

Yasmina_ profile image
Yasmina_ in reply toSlowDragon

I should probably also add that in between these tests I had a chest infection and I was prescribed with antibiotics.

CharlieChurch profile image
CharlieChurch in reply toSlowDragon

Make sure it's vit D3 you take along with vit k2

Yasmina_ profile image
Yasmina_ in reply toCharlieChurch

Ok thank you

redhead41 profile image
redhead41 in reply toCharlieChurch

Need to rule out parathyroid issues before taking any vit d.

Yasmina_ profile image
Yasmina_ in reply toredhead41

Thank you , what test do I need to ask for please . To rule out parathyroid

redhead41 profile image
redhead41 in reply toredhead41

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.

Yasmina_ profile image
Yasmina_ in reply toredhead41

Thank you very much !

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator

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.

Yasmina_ profile image
Yasmina_ in reply toJaydee1507

Thanks so much for your reply :) much appreciated

results for :

Serum vitamin B12 - 462 ng/L ( 160.00 - 925.00ng/L)

Serum ferritin 63 ug/L ( 14.00 - 148.00ug/L)

FOLATE - 7.7 ug/L ( 2.90 - 50.00ug/L)

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 ?

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toYasmina_

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

Link with ideas for dietary iron:

dailyiron.net/

Serum B12 needs to be 500+, also its a less sensitive test than active B12 test so your active B12 level may be lower.

Folate - aim for a level of 20. Recommend taking an active/methyl (should say on label) B complex which contains 400mcgs folate (also B12).

B complex suggestions: Slightly cheaper options with inactive B6:

amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...

Contains B6 as P5P an active form:

bigvits.co.uk/thorne-resear...

healf.com/products/basic-b-...

Explanation about the different forms of B6:

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

B complex comparison spreadsheet:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Yasmina_ profile image
Yasmina_ in reply toJaydee1507

Thanks very much ; that’s all very helpful :) really grateful

Yasmina_ profile image
Yasmina_ in reply toJaydee1507

I should probably also add that in between these tests I had a chest infection and I was prescribed with antibiotics.

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toYasmina_

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.

Yasmina_ profile image
Yasmina_ in reply toJaydee1507

Ok thank you , that makes sense as the tsh was fully suppressed before the chest infection. Then it Jumped to 19 and now

Latest one is 6.22

Yasmina_ profile image
Yasmina_ in reply toJaydee1507

I have to date never been on my kind of medication . This journey on began back in March , it was just a routine test .

Then it flagged hyperthyroid . Was asked to retest and thyroids antibodies were tested .

The initial tests and back in March were as follows :

TSh < 0.01 miu/l ( 0.27 - 4.20)

free thyroxine 30.1 pool/l ( 12.0 - 22 )

The repeat test was a couple of weeks later :

TSH < 0.01 ( 0.27-4.20 mU/L )

T4 19.8 ( 12.0-22.0 pmol/L)

Anti-TPO Anti-TG

1129 H ( < 25 ) IU/mL SH Anti-thyroid peroxidase

(TPO)

473 H ( < 40 ) IU/mL

The 3rd repeat test was done about 4 weeks later

Free Thyroxine (FT4) 9.8 ( (10.9 - 25.3)

(FT3) 4.69 (14.26 - 8.10)

(TSH) 19.37 ( 0.40 - 4.05)

The 4th repeat test is the figures on this post, which were done 6 weeks later .

I’m very confused by all of this , and not getting any medication or an actual diagnosis

On what’s going on with me. Overall become so overwhelmed and I know my anxiety isn’t helping the situation .

Other results on recent blood test :

Serum vitamin B12 - 462 ng/L ( 160.00 - 925.00ng/L)

Serum ferritin 63 ug/L ( 14.00 - 148.00ug/L)

FOLATE - 7.7 ug/L ( 2.90 - 50.00ug/L

redhead41 profile image
redhead41 in reply toJaydee1507

Taking vit d when there is a parathyroid problem will cause terrible symptoms.

Yasmina_ profile image
Yasmina_ in reply toredhead41

Ah really ! Ok thanks so much for letting me know . I will not take it , in that case .

HealthStarDust profile image
HealthStarDust

You’re swinging between hyper and hypo. You need a referral to endocrinology particularly due to preconception.

StippyStappy profile image
StippyStappy

Hi Yasmina,

I had bloating issues last year and was very confused buy it all.

Turned out it was a wheat intolerance and rice intolerance.

Now make my own 50/50 gluten free bread (50% bread flour / 50% spelt) to keep the gluten down and only have gluten free rice.

Yasmina_ profile image
Yasmina_ in reply toStippyStappy

Hi, thanks very much. I will will try that too

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

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

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

Or buy a test online, about £20

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet 

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially) 

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/296...

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

nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...

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

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

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

Post discussing gluten

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Shellian profile image
Shellian

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.

Good luck.

Yasmina_ profile image
Yasmina_ in reply toShellian

Hi Shellian , appreciate that thank you for the advice .

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