Thyroid results, any advice please?

[gladhoc]

After thinking I was depressed and generally sickly for years, I've realised I seem to be hypothyroid. I've read lots of threads on here which have been incredibly helpful - thank you all! And I started the ball rolling with ordering some tests myself.

I'm seeing an endocrinologist soon, and wonder if anyone might have have any insights or advice please so I can be extra prepared. I am TTC, but have put this on hold for the moment.

I have raised prolactin - 737 (this is what alerted me to potential issues)

I did have a vitamin D deficiency (been dodging the sun due to facial pigmentation), which I corrected with drops - now at 143 (it was 20)

T4 67.2 (58-154)
TSH 3.98 (0.4-4)
FT4 11.5 (10-22)
FT3 5.30 (2.8-6.5)

FT4:FT3 ratio 2.2 (2-4.5)

rT3 0.30 (0.14-0.54)

TG 20 (0-40)
TPO 10 (0-35)

Iron 12.4 (6.6-26)
TIBC 63 (41.77)
Transferrin Saturation 20 (20-55)
Ferritin 53 (13-150)

Red cell folate 503 (158-1099)

Any thoughts at all? Many TIA

Can I jump to on the bandwagon for advice please?
Had my tsh tested 3 weeks ago and it was 4.9
GP said to wait 3 months for retesting but at the end of my tether I got some private tests done.
The results are:

TSH 2.94
Thyrogloblin antibodies 512.3 (0-115)
Thyroid peroxidaise 212.8 ( 0-34 )

The others seem all well within range..so I don't know what to make of the results.

Background is I'm generally feeling terrible..I'm 34 and have a 16 yr diagnosis of cfs/ me and various other random symptoms most recently wierd neurological symptoms and dizziness for 9 months.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated..I'm confused

OK - different assays can produce very different results, which is why the NHS won't accept private tests. However, if you've had private tests done and can wave them at your GP, you should be able to get him to do the same tests on the NHS.

Also, your TSH could be swinging a bit, because that would be entirely typical of Hashimoto's Disease.

Now I'm not a medical person, but because you've had private tests, you've had your antibodies checked and they are both way above range, so even I would feel confident in diagnosing you with Hashimoto's Disease, in which case, as you are heavily symptomatic, your GP should seriously consider treating you.

You are under serious attack at the moment, given the high levels of antibodies, which may explain why you are not feeling well. With any luck, you will be able to use the private test as a lever to get the GP to test on the NHS. Once you've had your antibodies tested on the NHS, look into starving them out by removing gluten from your diet.

Weird neurological symptoms suggest you may need your B12 and folate checking and supplementing as well.

Cynical me, who had a CFS misdiagnosis, wonders if your thyroid has been your problem all along. You might want to enquire about, and get copies of, previous thyroid tests, with the reference ranges. If there is a misdiagnosis here, that's another lever to use with your GP.

The Thyroid UK forum on www.healthunlocked.com is a good place to get back up and information.

Thanks RockinD, I will!

awaywego I experienced what was thought to be chronic fatigue after glandular fever many years ago, and never really bounced back. Now I wonder. If your GP isn't happy to rely on the private tests, they should repeat them asap.

Thanks guys! Rockin that's super helpful really. Have crafted a letter to my gp which I'll send with the results. If needs be I'll go private at this point but I still need a referral from gp I think. I've never bought into the cfs diagnosis..for a long time I wondered if it was psychological but all the therapists have seen have discounted this and encouraged me to to continue investigating physical answers. I've never really wanted to 'push' it but at 34 wanting to start a family and on the verge of loosin and my job I think I need to take action myself!

Just to update the GP has been supportive and has referred me to an endo..I've opted to go private despite not being able to afford it as she said it could be along wait to be seen on the NHS. I have an appt in 2 weeks.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Hello all, nearly 3 weeks on the medication and I'm feeling much better - just, sort of, more like myself if that makes sense?

I felt rather pleasantly sleepy at first, but that's subsided now. I've been taking B vitamins, sublingual B12, iron (at night), selenium, zinc and vitamin C. And fish oils. And starflower oil, as I read about it helping with the hair loss - I don't seem to have lost any more.

I've also given up caffeine and dairy products (except for a bit of greek yogurt every now and then), and am avoiding wheat. And alcohol.

All in all, I feel much better able to get on with things. And I've lost weight. Just hoping it all continues!

How was your appointment awaywego?

Sorry for delayed reply..thread had disappeared.
So had 2 appts with endocrinologist, had bloods done again and tsh gone up to 6.8 and ft4 is 13 so along with high antibodies he explained my thyroid will most likely stop working and is giving me a trial of thyroxine 75mg. Vitd is also still low despite me supplementing so I need to sort that out. Being transferred back to nhs and will have a follow up in 2 months (which is a good job as I can't afford any more appts)
I'm really hoping that I get at least some relief from my symptoms with thyroxine..im not expecting a miracle but these last few weeks have been awful and I'm barely functioning.