TSH levels

[AMBF]

Hi in June my TSH was 3.1 and it’s now 0..7. Is it normal for thyroid levels to change this much in 5 months? My brother has underactive thyroid. The Dr tested thyroid again as I’m always either sweating loads or cold

Thank you

[pennyannie]

Hello AMBF-

Looking back I see that you had over range TPO antibodies 7 years ago so you do have a thyroid Auto Immune health issue -

most commonly called Hashimoto's and were you diagnosed back then and started on T4 - Levothyroxone - thyroid hormone replacement ?

This would present as erratic own thyroid hormone production and ' swings ' in symptoms as this AI disease systematically attacks and destroys your thyroid with your health becoming further compromised.

A TSH over 3 - years ago - was when treatment for hypothyroidism was recognised and treatment commenced.

Your TSH is likely jumping around as your thyroid isn't stable as this AI disease progresses.

If on T4 - Levothyroxine doctors are advised to keep the TSH under 2 -

Most important that we maintain optimal core strength vitamins and minerals -

those of ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D - so to assist any thyroid hormone replacement to work well and convert in the body into T3 - the active hormone that runs all our bodily functions :

Many forum members follow the research and suggestions of Dr Izabella Wentz - if you want to read further around this AI disease -

thyroidspecialist.com

[AMBF in reply to pennyannie]

Hi thank you. Yes I had antibodies in a private test years ago and went to the Dr many times with symptoms but have never been put on tablets. On my GP record it just states sub-clinical. This thyroid test was because I’m constantly sweating and GP wanted to check thyroid- but I’ve never had a low TSH result before.

[pennyannie in reply to AMBF]

So you have never been officially diagnosed on the NHS or been prescribed any T4 - thyroid hormone replacement ?

Unfortunately your results all fall into the NHS ranges - though your thyroid is struggling

and with your thyroid antibodies on a Private blood test and likely not acknowledged on any NHS blood test -

I doubt a referral to endocrinology will be sanctioned as your results are in the range -

What does the doctor suggest - other than wait and see ?

I'm sorry - but other than self medicate - I don't know what you do next :

[AMBF in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you. No Inhave never been diagnosed with anything thyroid wise or medicated. I asked for an endocrine referral a year or so ago as I had symptoms but the hospital declined and just said I was sub clinical so they wouldn’t see me

[AMBF in reply to AMBF]

Drs have always just said test every year to check really

[pennyannie in reply to AMBF]

Yes - as I suspected :

Other than going privately or DI Yourself - I'm not sure of your next step through the NHS system.

[AMBF in reply to pennyannie]

That’s what I thought, thank you for your replies x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

ESSENTIAL to also test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

Low vitamin levels are EXTREMELY common with Hashimoto’s

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test

This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

Monitor My Health (NHS private test service) offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Also, if not already on strictly gluten free diet……you need coeliac blood test BEFORE trialing Gluten Free

You should have been tested when your son was diagnosed as coeliac……were you?

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

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...

Recent research in China into food intolerances with Hashimoto’s

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

More interesting Chinese research on Hashimoto’s and leaky gut

nature.com/articles/s41598-...

[AMBF in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, yes I was tested and had a biopsy it confirmed we both have Coeliac disease so have been strictly gluten free since I think 2019. I take vitamin d as was severely deficient recently and iron too.