Thyroid results - help!

[MissisBoote]

I've had me/CFS for nearly 5 years and just got my annual blood test results back.

I'm not 100% convinced that there's not a problem with my thyroid despite results being in the normal range. I've also developed a goitre on one side of my thyroid in the last few years. It's had a needle biopsy and all fine so they're going to leave it unless it grows too big.

I've always been freezing cold since I've been a child. My fingers are often blue as soon as the temperature drops even a degree in the summer. I've also got the hideous fatigue and pain - hence CFS/me/fibromyalgia diagnosis

The photo shows my test results over the last few years so you can see for comparison.

I've also been taking 3000iu vit d for the last year along with a high strength multi vitamin and a sublingual vit b12 for three last three years. The b12 is slowly going up.

Any insight from you wonderfully knowledgeable people?

(Also posted in autoimmune board but not sure how much traffic it gets)

Have you ever had ft3 tested? That gives you a full picture along with thyroid antibodies. Your ft4 and TSH look fine but unless your ft3 is in range, you can't rule out thyroid.

No, I've never had ft3 tested.

You could have it tested by fingerprick tests. Medichecks or blue horizons. The tests you've had wouldn't pick up secondary hypothyroidism. Ft3 is essential to fully assess thyroid function if you are sympomatic.

Yeah I agree with the above you can't tell everything from TSH and FT4.

Great - I'll check them out.

Medichecks do quite a few thyroid tests.

They do a basic ft3 but then also do one that includes thyroid antibodies (thyroid plus)

I'm unsure which I've to go for.

I'd suggest the one that includes antibodies. Having that along with tsh, ft4 and ft3 will give you a full thyroid view.
Remember you can also request a referal to an endocrinologist - or go private/change GP if they wont do the referral.

Good luck.

That makes sense. Thanks I'll order today and post my results when I get them.

It would make such a difference if I did have secondary hypothyroidism - it might mean that with proper treatment I'd also recover from the me/CFS.

Ok - so here are my T3 and antibody results @wheretorun and @9amtrain

They're in range, but at the lower end.
Does this still mean no problems?

I'm not medically trained but it doesn't seem to indicate thyroid issues. I still think you should see an endo to check that though as you are so symptomatic. The thyroid uk forum have a list of good endos and could offer more advice. Like checking active b12. It's frustrating when your quality of life is being compromised and I'd definately keep trying to get to the bottom of it. Do you have reynauds syndrome? That's an autoimmune syndrome my friend has causing the cold hands.

Hmm nothing stands out to me as being a problem but I'm not an expert, especially not when all of them are within range (but the frees are slightly on the lower side of normal).

Wouldn't a growth on your thyroid itself be indicative of an issue though? I'd have thought so, but apparently not :s

Thank you both.

Yes to Raynaud's - although it doesn't seem as bad since I developed the me/CFS. My fingers do go bluer quicker than before. Or maybe it just happens more often?

I do have circulation problems that aren't helped by the me/CFS. I don't move as much so my blood slows down, but moving too much causes the Post Exertional Malaise from the me/CFS to be triggered.

The thyroid cyst is just a regular non cancerous cyst. So apparently not a problem. Just need to have it drained web it gets too big.

I'll have a look on thyroid UK. In a way I was hoping that the thyroid would be the issue, then I could get treated and start to live a normal life, rather than the current shell of a life.

I don't have the funds to see a private endo but I'm wondering if my gp would refer.

I thought me/cfs was diagnosed through elimination of other things, so an endo/other specialist referral would be helpful especially as you already have an autoimmune condition. Defininately try healthunlocked/thyroiduk and don't give up on trying to optimise your health😊

I have a genetic variation of the DIO2 gene which prevents me changing T4 into T3... I had a slight goitre and was symptomatic but my TSH was always perfect and other levels all in range... started taking Armour Thyroid a few months ago and I'm gradually starting to feel better.As far as I know the NHS doesn't test this gene but it's possible to have the test done privately

That's interesting @kingsleysbootlicker Where did you get tested? And is amour thyroid prescription only?

Thanks @wheretorun unfortunately I don't think gp's particularly explore other potential diagnosis' (is that there right word? Brain fog) if blood work is all 'normal'. I'm a classic post viral case that never recovered. Every now and again I have bouts of energy to explore things in more detail but I think I'm banging my head against a brick wall.

I got general genetic testing done privately years ago when I was looking into other health problems, this gene just happened to be one that was included then but isn't anymore. But Thyroid Uk have a link on their website to a lab that runs the test now.

Armour is prescription only and can be hard to get prescribed... my GP couldn't authorise it, it had to be an Endocrinologist. It is Natural Desiccated Thyroid which comes from pigs, and is a mixture of all thyroid hormones, not just T4

Thank you - I need to do a bit more reading up!