Are you currently on any replacement thyroid hormones?
Levothyroxine, which brand and dose
Just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate
Are you currently taking any vitamin supplements
If yes what exactly
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before 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
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
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 separate B12 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70:
As you have Hashimoto’s you need coeliac blood test at diagnosis
Get GP to do so if not done yet 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
So as you have Hashimoto’s it’s ALWAYS worth trying strictly gluten free diet …..ideally 6-12 months
Vitamin D, folate and ferritin need testing
once tested folate
As you have B12 injections it’s recommended also to supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.
This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and may help maintain B12 levels between injections
Igennus B complex popular option. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose and may need 2 per day and/or may need separate methyl folate couple times a week
Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) Thorne can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay
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)
No evidence of this, according to this Vitiligo site:
Can a Gluten-Free Diet Help Manage Vitiligo?
Research into the effects of a gluten-free diet on vitiligo has been inconclusive and incomplete. One case study was published, which showed that a gluten-free diet helped a woman partially reverse her vitiligo and achieve repigmentation of vitiligo lesions when other treatments did not work. However, this single case is the only published evidence supporting that claim. More research into the effects of a gluten-free diet on vitiligo is needed. Currently, there is no specific recommended diet for those with vitiligo.
[Edit] to add: Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, so does occur in some people with autoimmune thyroid disease. Some of these people may visit this forum. I would not like these people to be misled into thinking that a GF diet will help both their thyroid symptoms and their vitiligo.
Here's another link cautioning against recommending a GF diet to people with Vitiligo (and other non-coeliac skin disorders).
A Critical Appraisal of Gluten in Skin Disorders, the Evidence So Far, and Updated Recommendations journals.lww.com/ijd/fullte...
Well, you've very under-medicated, for a start! (If you are on any medication?)
FT4: 9.4 pmol/l (Range 7.9 - 14.4) 23.08%
Your FT4 should be at lease over 50% through the range. And if your FT4 is too low, your FT3 - the active hormone - will be even low, and that's what's causing your symptoms.
So, your results are very far from 'normal'! A 'normal' (euthyroid) TSH would be around 1. Over 2 would suggest your thyroid is struggling. But what time of day was the blood draw for this test? Because TSH is highest before 9 am and at its lowest around midday.
And, of course, as you have Hashi's we have to bear in mind that numbers are going to jump around a bit, because that's the nature of the disease. Is this your first test? Or do you have other results?
For the ataxia, I find the best thing is CBD oil. There was a time I couldn't stand up straight let alone walk in a straight line! But I'm much much better since I started taking CBD oil.
Yes, it's often said on here that the amount of biotin in a B complex isn't enough to worry about.
So, although your TSH Is not 'normal' - too high - it's not high enough for doctors to believe you have a problem. And your FT4 would have to be below range for them to take any interest - they just don't know that much about thyroid, I'm afraid. But, as I said, that still doesn't make your results 'normal', because they aren't.
Why did your doctor treat you for Hashimoto Encephalopathy? Do you have that? What is the treatment? What you really need is thyroid hormone replacement to make you well.
I suppose from my tests and symptoms although I didn’t think that was the problem . Although I’m not in any pain. He treated with a short course of steroids which had no effect. There is inflammation on my thyroid picked up by ultrasound but he said not enough to effect my hormone levels.
A short article about how and why biotin can affect blood tests. Includes information about how to avoid any problems and how much biotin some foods contain.
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