Hi all - I previously posted the below and looking for any additional advice - particularly on private thyroid specialists in the UK and best way forward following advice from others on the group, many thanks.
Hi all, it would be great to obtain your advice regarding my blood test results below (Thriva finger prick test) done on Sat 27th March 07.30am prior to thyroxine, caffeine and breakfast. I am currently taking levothyroxine, 10 days 150mg, 5 days 125mg, plus a vitamin D supplement and super B complex (Igennus). Test results:
Active B12: 138pmol/L - normal (range- 37.5-188)
Ferritin: 86 ug/L - optimal (30-200)
Folate: 23.1nmol/L - normal (normal = 8.83-30, optimal=30-60.8)
FT3: 5pmol/L - optimal (optimal=3.1-5.0, normal = 5-6.8)
TSH: 2.32mlu/L optimal (optimal=1-2.5)
Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAB) 29.2ku/L - normal = 0-115
FT4 = 20.7pmol/L - normal (optimal = 12-17, normal = 17-22)
Vitamin d = 107nmol/l - optimal (optimal = 75-120, normal = 120-175)
Note - I have detailed the Thriva ranges as per the results charts given. Symptoms are still not good at all - sore muscles, fatigue, poor concentration, low mood. Thriva recommendations include taking magnesium (200-300mg) and going gluten free for 2-3 wks. I would very much welcome your thoughts and advice as my symptoms are still very challenging. Also recommendations on private specialists in the UK would be great as my GP cannot add any further value, many thanks.
Hi all, thanks again for all of the comments and feedback. My blood test results don't look too bad (can obviously be improved), but my symptoms are far from good. Would going gluten free help with conversion of T4 to T3 / with muscle aches and pains and wider symptoms ? I have been quite a high caffeine user in the past (4-5 teas / coffees per day) and have read that this can increase inflammation, cause tiredness, and can irritate the thyroid. I have also suffered obtaining a good nights sleep which may be in itself be related to having an underactive thyroid. Essentially, outside of taking thyroxine in the prescribed way and optmising vitamin levels, I am looking for any advice that can help me related to diet, caffeine intake, exercise, sleep etc. Also, would you have any recommendations for private thyroid specialists in the UK given my results above, many thanks in advance.
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Mjpp84
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You can send for the list of thyroid friendly endos from Dionne at ThyroidUK then ask on the forum for members to send you a private message if they have any information on any that you can travel to.
Your high TPO antibodies confirms autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s
Hashimoto's frequently affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function with Hashimoto’s can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Important....BEFORE considering cutting gluten
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
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.
Thanks for the advice. Yes I stopped B complex 7 days before. I take Igennus 1 tablet daily and a vitamin D supplement. I really need to focus on going gluten free for a month and see how I feel. Do you really think gluten free can be the answer ?
I was utterly astonished to find I am severely gluten intolerant.....I thought I had cast iron stomach....zero gut symptoms....just inability to be well on levothyroxine
Had two negative coeliac blood tests
I only cut gluten as a trial out of desperation ....More on my profile
Endoscopy showed damage as if coeliac....gastroenterologist was astonished I am not coeliac
Strictly gluten free diet has been utterly life changing.
Slightest speck of gluten eaten by accident causes severe joint pain (one bonus of lockdown.....not eating out....I don’t get accidentally glutened!)
It’s much easier than you might think to be gluten free
But it does need to be absolutely strictly gluten free to be effective....watch out for cross contamination. Don’t share butter, cutting mats etc
Separate toaster for gluten free bread...or get toaster bags online
That's very interesting. I have been on levothyroxine for a number of years and also not felt well throughout this period and at the point of desperation as you have said. I need to find the discipline but sounds like the rewards could potentially be well worth it. How long was it before you started noticing a difference ?
Thanks for all of the previous advice. My diet is improving and I will continue to focus on going strictly gluten free. Are there any other foods or drinks that I should be avoiding ? I have read in certain articles that in some cases coffee can cause inflammation and irritate the thyroid and increase levels of cortisol which isn't good for autoimmune diseases. Do you have any thoughts on this ?
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