I have recently had blood tests prior to joining a clinical trial.
They gave me feedback that said my TSH levels were lower than the normal range (0.17) but that I had normal T4 levels which may suggest subclinical hyperthyroidism.
I would have thought low TSH levels indicated hypothyroidism but I have no idea.
I also had high blood pressure (I thought I have white coat syndrome) but they seem to think that it should be looked into-my GP is not bothered.
I also have chronic Urinary tract infections- 12 in 18months, that required antibiotics-again my GP surgery does not seem to think that is a problem either.
The Clinical Trial team have asked me to reach out to the GP, which I have done, and have an appointment in the New Year. But I feel I need to be prepared in order to ask for appropriate help.
Can any of these things be related?
Thanking you in advance
Written by
Fluffy01
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Ok, sorry to pry, but thought it might be directly relevant to your queries…suppose they have to have baselines to measure, especially if rather anecdotal reports of mental health progression might be involved. You have lots of good questions to ask your GP at the appointment: the bloods and BP results tend to be the type that gets monitored over a few months to see if results are consistent , or not oddities caused by the likes of your UTIs and treatment. If you have a home BP monitor keep a diary daily at home am and pm results before your appointment, any other symptoms record too.
as you have Pernicious Anaemia it’s more likely that you may have other autoimmune diseases too
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
As you have B12 injections are you currently taking a daily vitamin B complex too?
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue B12
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
NHS only tests TG antibodies if TPO are high
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results (lower TSH) and possibly symptoms …..before becoming increasingly hypothyroid
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older
For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels
What vitamin supplements are you taking apart from B12
VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
I am taking the antibiotic nitrofuratoin- my 12th time in 18 months and more frequently recently. I am only taking mannose currently, no other supplements.Thanks for any help you can give me.
I read only yesterday (due a friend's daughter in similar situation re UTIs) and there is a link to problems with the liver and recurrent UTIs. I think I would push for your GP to look at the medical research regarding this link. There's lots of research evidence with papers on Pubmed, Science direct.com, Kings College, London's Portal - so don't be fobbed off! If that particular GP won't help, is there another in the practice who may be more enlightened - or be willing to be more enlightened?
I will dig out the information and let you know. You have to pay it's private the lab sends you all the details of what to do to collect your sample you then post it back. It is studied in their lab until they find the bacteria or whatever is causing your many UTI's then they send back the results including the correct antibiotic to treat it. I will private message you the details tomorrow.
No, high TSH indicates hypothyroidism because the pituitary is signalling for more thyroid hormones to be produced because they are inadequate, but nothing or not enough is happening so it tries even harder and the tsh keeps rising as the pituitary clamours for more to be made. The proportion of T3 the thyroid makes rises at the cost of T4 because the body is trying to keep T3 levels within close parameters above all else. This is why T3 is not a good diagnostic measure for hypothyroidism.
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