Thyroid results - are they likely to treat?

[BramblyHedge]

Anyone know much about thyroid tests? I have lots of symptoms of hypothyroidism and a few years ago asked for a blood test. GP said I obviously just ate to much (ignored the other symptoms) but did order one anyway. I was told I was normal. Symptoms have got worse so I paid for a private test. I also have hereditary diastolic hypertension. My vitamins were all fine. I’m in the 35-40 age bracket.

TSH 8.07 (>4.3)
FT4 16.3 (12-23)
FT3 3.41(3.1-6.8)
TPO 106 Kiu/l (>34)
T4 92.6 (66-181)
Tgab 334 ku/l (>115)

It’s a bit mixed and despite googling I can’t get a feel for if this ‘needs’ treating. The TSH is obviously a bit high as are the antibodies but the t4 is normal.

Thanks!

In the US you would not be treated by most doctors. The antibodies should be monitored.

Your tsh is high. I'd feel rubbish with that tsh. They might say lets monitor and retest in 6 months. You could try arguing for a trial of thyroxine as you are symptomatic though. Maybe see a different GP this time!

TSH over range, positive antibodies and you're symptomatic. The Clinical Knowledge Summary from NICE says this:

If TSH is between 4 and 10 mU/L and FT4 is within the normal range
In people aged less than 65 years with symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism, consider a trial of LT4 and assess response to treatment 3–4 months after TSH stabilises within the reference range.

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroidism#!scenario:1

You might want to wave that at your doctor.

I am hyperthyroid and the research I've done suggests you should be asking my thyroxine to get your tsh under control. Your antibodies being high also would raise questions. My antibodies were at that levels so I have now been diagnosed with graves disease. It might be you have a touch of hashimotos. Id go to your gp though!!

Thanks for the comments. That NICE guidance is very useful. Will go see what they say!

Definitely Hashimoto's Disease aka auto-immune thyroiditis. Both sets of antibodies are positive, so double whammy.

Any other auto-immune disease in the family OP?

They should absolutely treat. Your TSH is raised and above range, your frees are low, your antibodies are high and you're symptomatic! Any doctor with even a slight understanding of thyroid function should treat.

You have hashimotos by the looks of it.

And when you say your vitamins are fine, can you post the full results?

You should be treated, although the GP may want to do their own blood test rather than accept the private results

Yes, I thought I would need to ask to be tested again within the NHS and just try to persuade them with these ones!

I agree it looks like you have auto immune hypothyroidism, TSH is too high at 8 and you are positive for both antibodies. I would feel dreadful if my TSH was 8, I take thyroxine to maintain TSH of 1. Ask your Dr to start you on 25mcg of thyroxine.

My other result were
B12 135 (25.1-165)
Ferritin 22.9 (13-150)
Follate 6.86 (8.86-60.8) - actually a bit low

I hope you do get taken seriously and they sort this for you. Can I ask the cost of the private test please? I am in the middle of this at the moment and if I can afford a private test I will maybe try Nuffield.

Your ferritin and folate are low, people can lose their hair around ~50 for example. They need to be at least halfway through the range.

I would’ve thought that you need treatment.
I’m still getting the hang of this hashimoto/hypothyroidism crap.
I know I felt awful when my TSH was 6

Losing hair was r.e. ferritin levels btw.

Ok - good to know. I think I just saw the b12 and thought yey - all ok!

Yeah your B12 is good. Given the narrow range it's Active B12 rather than total B12 which the NHS tests. Active is more accurate. 😊

Which company did you go with op? I'm thinking of getting mine done as I'm in range (3.8) for RSG but feel rubbish. Gp won't do full screen.

It was thriva. I already do their baseline test which is why I went with them. I'll obviously have to go with whatever the NHS finds but thought this would help.

OP have you ever used Medicheck at all? I'm unsure which of the tests to go for whichever company I choose. My gp tests were apparently within range though I haven't seen them but I'm certain something is amiss.

@Therealme56 get a copy of your GP results, you're entitled to them :)

So NHS results came back 'normal, no action'. When i asked for details I was told TSH 2.97, abnormal antibodies, abnormal ferriting, didn't test T4. Not really sure what to do now. From reading it looks like TSH can fluctuate with hashimotos but who knows. 😐

Go back and bang the table. You clearly have active auto-immune thyroiditis.

Christ. :(

They say no action yet abnormal antibodies and Ferritin?! Huh?

What time did you have the test done? You do have hashimotos by the looks of it despite your TSH not being as high as before.

Well I think the moral is to ignore the receptionist. I saw the doctor this morning and he says antibodies and symptoms are enough. Referral to endo and on levo.