Hi all, I've been on Levothyroxine for half my life, I'm 35 years old. Diagnosed with hypothyroidism. My levels across all these years have never been stable. Finally, I was referred to Endocrinology who has tested my bloods and here are the results.
I have always thought I had hashimoto's disease. I've been plagued with pain and minor ailments all my life. Now Diagnosed with fibromyalgia and CFS but I've read that fibro & CFS can often be Hashimoto's Disease but misdiagnosed as the other conditions.
I'm currently taking 150mg Levothyroxine which I know lowers TPO.
My brother has Graves Disease and there's a paternal and maternal history of hypothyroidism within my family.
I cannot make head nor tail or the results and I haven't heard back off the doctor yet but if possible I'd like to have some idea of what the results mean now.
Thanks in advance
[ ] tTG IgA Antibody (Serum) (Celiac Disease Test)
Normal range: 0.0 - 14.9 kU/L
Value <0.5
[ ] TSH Receptor Antibody
Normal range: 0.0 - 0.4 IU/L
Value 0.4
[ ] Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies
Normal range: 0 - 34 IU/mL
Value 21
[ ] Free T3
Normal range: 3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L
Value 4.4
Written by
WitchneyPrincess
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
It would appear from these limited results that these are all negative for celiac, Graves and Hashimoto's -
The T3 doesn't say much - but that it looks a little low at around just 35% through its range - but without a TSH and T4 result from the same blood sample I can't put this T3 reading into any context.
Once on any form of thyroid hormone replacement we generally feel best with the TSH kept under 2 -
with many of us preferring our TSH to be towards the bottom end of the range and under 1 - with a T4 at round the top quadrant at around say - 75/80% through its range with the T3 tracking just behind at around 70% through its range.
You may still have Hashimoto's as the NHS routinely do not run all the necessary antibodies eg - TgABs.
I'm not aware T4 Levothyroxine lowers any antibodies -
Hashimoto's is an Auto Immune disease that systematically attacks and disables the thyroid gland leaving the patient with reduced thyroid hormone production and dealing with symptoms of hypothyroidism and ultimately needing thyroid hormone replacement - T4 - Levothyroxine.
Considering you are taking 150 mcg daily - your T3 looks much too low and I'm guessing that you probably have trouble converting the T4 into T3 in your body.
No thyroid hormone replacement works well until the core strength vitamins and minerals - those of ferritin, folate, B12 an vitamin D are up and maintained at optimal levels - do you have any results there for these ?
I'm with Graves and post RAI thyroid ablation and primary hypothyroidism and know I need to maintain my ferritin at around 100- folate around 20 - active B12 125 ( serum B12 500++ ) and vitamin D at around 100.
With Hashimoto's there are often gut and absorption issues leading to low levels of core strength vitamins and minerals, pernicious anemia, and intolerance to certain food stuffs even though a negative for celiac.
You might like to start reading around on the research and suggestions of Dr Izabella Wentz who writes as thyroidpharmacist.com
Do you have any readings there from this same blood sample showing your TSH and T4 and possibly readings of your ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D ?
Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine at each prescription
Which brand?
No Ft4 result?
Was test early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Free T3 (fT3) 4.4 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8)
Ft3 only 35.1% through range
Next step more thorough testing
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
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
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
You will need to test TG (Thyroglobulin) antibodies privately
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)
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
Exactly what vitamin supplements are you currently taking
For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels
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
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
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
need help understanding my results pls!
Antibody test results
Just want to check Thyroid Test Results (against Fibromyalgia diagnosis)
What to do now? unexpected TSH results
