Query re hashimoto symptoms compared to other causes of hypothyroidism.

[BlueDaisy22]

Hello again everyone. I have had results back from private medichecks test.TSH 3.27 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.2) 76.3%

Free T4 (fT4) 11.8 pmol/L (12 - 22) -2.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 3.2 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 2.7%

T4:T3 Ratio 3.688 

Vitamin D 87 nmol/L (50 - 250) 18.5%

Ferritin 55 ug/L (30 - 332) 8.3%

These don't look great but are following dose change from 25mcg per day TO 25mcg/50mcg every other day from 26th March, so I think that means I am on 37.5mcg per day. (Increase was allowed by Advice to GP from endo. when I pointed out how low my levels were on March blood test).

I realise it is only 13 days from dose change to bloods, but I wanted the antibodies done and have gp blood test in 6 weeks.

The antibodies test are in a different unit to the calculator so I'm entering them here:

Thyroglobulin ab 16.8 (0-115) kIU/L

Thy. Peroxidase ab 12.7 (0-34) kIU/L

I think this means I am negative for antibodies at this time so no evidence of Hashimotos.

I felt that my strange symptoms over last 2 years did fit with Hashimotos but wonder if they also happen with other causes of hypothyroidism?

Sorry long list symptoms; tired, cold, pins and needles in head hands feet, alcohol intolerance, sensitivity to nightshades, digestion problems, constipation, intermittent puffy ankles R more than L, dry skin, flaky nails, scalloped tongue, broken sleep, night sweats and palpitations at night(long before starting any levo but continuing after hrt changes -actually seem lessened since starting my tiny dose levo), missing half moons nails.

Does anyone get these symptoms with other causes hypo?

And or could it possibly be auto immune but still developing?

Sorry so long, trying to include relevant info. Thank you in advance for any thoughts.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

following dose change from 25mcg per day TO 25mcg/50mcg every other day from 26th March, so I think that means I am on 37.5mcg per day. (Increase was allowed by Advice to GP from endo. when I pointed out how low my levels were on March blood test).

Could easily have had increase to 50mcg per day

see what GP results show in 6 weeks

Which brand of levothyroxine are you taking

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

Look at getting ultrasound scan done

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue too.

Request coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

no retest of folate and B12?

exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking

B12 and folate were too low

18.10.24 Test results below.

TSH 6.2 mIU/L (0.35 - 4.94) 127.5%

Free T4 (fT4) 12.4 pmol/L (9.01 - 19.05) 33.8%

Folate - Serum 3.9 ug/L (3.10 - 20.50) 4.6%

Vitamin B12 389 nmol/L (187 - 883) 29.0%

Vitamin D 43.7 nmol/L (50 - 150) -6.3%

Ferritin 47 ug/L (20 - 204) 14.7%

[BlueDaisy22 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hello and thank you, I am taking vencamil. The gp felt unable to increase dose until heard from endocrinologists,who only allowed the tiny increase. I had managed to miss the info that 20% Hashimotos never have raised antibodies (brain fog! also forgot to put that on symptom list!!)🙄

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BlueDaisy22]

endocrinologists,who only allowed the tiny increase.

So likely a diabetic specialist

You may need to see different endocrinologist privately

Levo doesn’t “top up” your own thyroid output, it replaces it

You need dose increased as fast as tolerated until Ft4 and Ft3 at least 50% through range

Roughly where in U.K. are you

Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists

Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations so that might eventually transfer to NHS

thyroiduk.org/contact-us/ge...

[BlueDaisy22 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, I couldn't understand why they find it so hard to give me even a small amount given the T3 and T4 results they had been shown but unfortunately my TSH has been only just out of their range, then went back in range (but high) so I think they are really just looking at that.Bizarrely the endocrinologist also commented that she didn't think the levo wd help my symptoms.

I have the thyroid Dr list from the thyroid UK info pack. I am in Buckinghamshire.

[BlueDaisy22 in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry did also have folate and b12 but they are in different unitsFolate 33.7 (7-35) nmol/L

B12 >150 (37.5-187.5) pmol/L

I am taking igennus super b complex 1x day and have also used b12 drops from nature provides in effort to create high circulating b12 in case I'm deficient. So these levels look OK.

My d3 and k2 (nature provides) doesn't seem to have helped vit d level and eating extra iron rich food not helped ferritin yet.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BlueDaisy22]

so B12 and folate now excellent

Vitamin D has doubled

Aim to maintain 100-125nmol

Now

Vitamin D 87 nmol/L (50 - 250) 

Previous

Vitamin D 43.7 nmol/L (50 - 150) 

Ferritin is creeping up

Now

Ferritin 55 ug/L (30 - 332) 

Previous

Ferritin 47 ug/L (20 - 204) 

[BlueDaisy22 in reply to SlowDragon]

I will definitely keep up with the supplements. I had got a bit confused in comparing the results with different units/ ranges to work out what was OK. So thank you for the above🙂

[greygoose]

Hypo is hypo, whatever the cause. And the symptoms are caused by the low FT3.

T3 is needed by every single cell in the body to function correctly, and every body has different priorities when it comes to which cells will get the T3 and which won't. Which is why every hypo has their own individual and personal symptom list.

So, all hypos can get any of those symptoms whether Hashi's or not. Except for the missing half-moons, I believe. The explanation I heard for those is that they are caused by the occasional 'hyper' swing you get with Hashi's causing pressure on the nailbed, or something. It was all very vague.

[BlueDaisy22 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for those thoughts greygoose. I hadn't realised each individual body would prioritise T3 differently. It is all quite tricky to unpick. Interesting about the half moons.🙂

[greygoose in reply to BlueDaisy22]

You're welcome.