Went to GP about these since I was informed by receptionist they were abnormal and to make appointment and she didn't have a clue. Can anyone please tell me what these are thanks
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Laurenjay
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Hi, did the Gp order the tests ? Seems odd she would and then not have a clue what it’s about.
High antibody levels are suggestive of an autoimmune condition. Specifically with thyroid peroxidase you are most likely looking at being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s (autoimmune thyroid disease and the most common cause of hypothyroidism in western world).
Did they not check any other tests? Such as TSH and free T4? These are required (&others) to determine how your thyroid is functioning - most likely you will need levothyroxine medication daily to supplement it.
It might sound scary but rest assured it’s quite common - and there are ways of dealing with it. Low thyroid can bring about a host of problems namely fatigue/joint pain/brain fog/depression/slow metabolism etc
Are you on any medication atm? Or trying to conceive?
Well, now you'll be able to inform her! But, beware of this doctor, she won't know how to treat you correctly, either. You are terribly under-medicated. Have you been on 50 mcg since 2013?
As I said, she does not know enough about thyroid to be able to treat you! Levo should never be reduced by 100 mcg at a time! It should be done by 25 mcg every six weeks.
Do you have the results that caused her to slash your dose like that?
OK, so she panicked about the suppressed TSH, and had a knee-jerk reaction. Typical!
The TSH is totally irrelevant once you are on thyroid hormone replacement, unless it goes high. It doesn't matter how low it goes. It is low because your FT4 is in a good place. But, you're still feeling bad because you're not converting it very well, and your FT3 is too low. Very few doctors know anything about conversion - or TSH, come to that.
Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.
You are undermedicated to have TSH 6.2 while taking 50mcg Levothyroxine, FT4 is low and FT3 below range. Ask for a dose increase.
The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.3 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email dionne.fulcher@thyroiduk.org if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.
You should have a follow up thyroid test 6-8 weeks after increasing Levothyroxine dose. Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood draw when TSH is highest, and take Levothyroxine after your blood draw.
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