Aa
High Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies, but normal TSH???
I have recently received (via a patient portal) the results to my blood work.
Most everything came back within normal ranges, except my TPO Antibodies were marked as "above normal/high".
TSH (mIU/L) 1.17 Standard range wasn’t listed with this but it was marked as normal in the "Result comments"
T3, FREE (pg/mL) 2.5 [2.3-4.2 Standard Range]
T4, FREE (ng/dL) 1.0 [0.8-1.8]
TG Antibodies (IU/mL) 1 [< or = 1]
TPO Antibodies (IU/mL) 93 [<9]
Most everything came back within normal ranges, except my TPO Antibodies were marked as "above normal/high".
TSH (mIU/L) 1.17 Standard range wasn’t listed with this but it was marked as normal in the "Result comments"
T3, FREE (pg/mL) 2.5 [2.3-4.2 Standard Range]
T4, FREE (ng/dL) 1.0 [0.8-1.8]
TG Antibodies (IU/mL) 1 [< or = 1]
TPO Antibodies (IU/mL) 93 [<9]
UPDATE***
Hello
I just got back blood work from my primary care physician from over a year ago (when I first started feeling quite poor).
The only thyroid tests she had done were for T4, T3 Uptake, T4 Free, and TSH (T4 Free and TSH are the only 2 that my internist also tested for). I again, have no idea how to interpret these and will post them below.
T4 my result; 7.5 ug/dL [Lab given Normal Ranges 4.5-12.0]
T3 Uptake 28% [22-35]
T4 Free 2.1 [1.4-3.8]
TSH 2.206 uIU/mL [0.350-4.500]
Hello
I just got back blood work from my primary care physician from over a year ago (when I first started feeling quite poor).
The only thyroid tests she had done were for T4, T3 Uptake, T4 Free, and TSH (T4 Free and TSH are the only 2 that my internist also tested for). I again, have no idea how to interpret these and will post them below.
T4 my result; 7.5 ug/dL [Lab given Normal Ranges 4.5-12.0]
T3 Uptake 28% [22-35]
T4 Free 2.1 [1.4-3.8]
TSH 2.206 uIU/mL [0.350-4.500]
****UPDATE****
Just got a copy of my ultrasound report of my thyroid (and pelvic as well)
It states:
Technique: Real-time sonography of the thyroid gland was performed
Findings:
-Right lobe measures 4.6 x 1.2 x 1.7 cm, which is normal in size. Heterogeneity is demonstrated throughout the right lobe with mild hyperemia, but no discrete solid or cystic nodules are seen.
-Left lobe has a similar appearance measuring 4.6 x 1.6 x 1.1 cm and is also heterogeneous, with prominent vascular flow. Again, no discrete nodules are demonstrated.
-Isthmus is not thickened at 4 mm.
To be completely honest....I haven't the faintest idea what most...or any of this means.
Just got a copy of my ultrasound report of my thyroid (and pelvic as well)
It states:
Technique: Real-time sonography of the thyroid gland was performed
Findings:
-Right lobe measures 4.6 x 1.2 x 1.7 cm, which is normal in size. Heterogeneity is demonstrated throughout the right lobe with mild hyperemia, but no discrete solid or cystic nodules are seen.
-Left lobe has a similar appearance measuring 4.6 x 1.6 x 1.1 cm and is also heterogeneous, with prominent vascular flow. Again, no discrete nodules are demonstrated.
-Isthmus is not thickened at 4 mm.
To be completely honest....I haven't the faintest idea what most...or any of this means.
4 Comments
Heterogeneous means different textures were found in your thyroid, which could indicate thyroiditis. There were no dominant nodules, which is good.
Is there an "impression" or "conclusion" at the end of the report? If so, that would indicate what follow up radiology recommends.
Your A1c looks good. The blood glucose would be part of a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel that would also include potassium, calcium, chloride, protein, carbon dioxide and others. Your doctor may not have ordered that panel.
You should start supplementing with a methyl B-12 to get your level up.
Yes, your ferritin is too low. Ferritin is the iron storage hormone and when it's low, it indicates you don't have enough iron in your body... since your doctor also ordered the iron panel, we can see that even though your iron level is in the normal range, it's low normal, so you should look into supplementing. I'll check into the best type of iron. You need to make sure it's one that's non-constipating and easily absorbable.
HS CRP looks excellent.
Is there an "impression" or "conclusion" at the end of the report? If so, that would indicate what follow up radiology recommends.
Your A1c looks good. The blood glucose would be part of a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel that would also include potassium, calcium, chloride, protein, carbon dioxide and others. Your doctor may not have ordered that panel.
You should start supplementing with a methyl B-12 to get your level up.
Yes, your ferritin is too low. Ferritin is the iron storage hormone and when it's low, it indicates you don't have enough iron in your body... since your doctor also ordered the iron panel, we can see that even though your iron level is in the normal range, it's low normal, so you should look into supplementing. I'll check into the best type of iron. You need to make sure it's one that's non-constipating and easily absorbable.
HS CRP looks excellent.
Barb135 you truly are a blessing and have given me information when I've been scratching my head dumbfounded, and unable to find answers to my questions anywhere else, thank you.
Ah! Yes, there is an impression at the bottom;
1. No thyromegaly. No solid or cystic nodule is seen.
2. Heterogeneous echo texture with prominent vascular flow noted in both lobes.
Also, do you know what "mild hyperemia" means?
Nope, no potassium, calcium, chloride, or anything of the sort--so it looks like he did not order a comprehensive metabolic panel.
That has always been a concern of mine for the idea of supplementing iron--the risk of constipation when I already have that problem.
Ah! Yes, there is an impression at the bottom;
1. No thyromegaly. No solid or cystic nodule is seen.
2. Heterogeneous echo texture with prominent vascular flow noted in both lobes.
Also, do you know what "mild hyperemia" means?
Nope, no potassium, calcium, chloride, or anything of the sort--so it looks like he did not order a comprehensive metabolic panel.
That has always been a concern of mine for the idea of supplementing iron--the risk of constipation when I already have that problem.
Mild hyperemia means there's excess blood in the blood vessels serving the organ. Okay, if there's no potassium, calcium, chloride, etc, your doctor did not order a Complete Metabolic Panel... Not sure why he would have ordered an A1c, along with all the other things and not that, but there must have a method to his madness. Perhaps he will order it next time around.
If constipation is a problem, you may have to take probiotics or digestive enzymes with the iron you take, but you should be able to find a non-constipating form, also. Constipation is a prime symptom of hypothyroidism...
If constipation is a problem, you may have to take probiotics or digestive enzymes with the iron you take, but you should be able to find a non-constipating form, also. Constipation is a prime symptom of hypothyroidism...
Unfortunately I'm unable to take probiotics rn as I'm doing a treatment for SIBO and yeast (well presumed SIBO, I have yet to get the results of the hydrogen breath test back yet), and my doctor had made the comment that while probiotics are great for a multitude of conditions they tend to fuel SIBO and worsen the overgrowth.
I'm just so....confused as to why I got phone calls saying my labs and sonograms were normal when, now that I'm looking at them they aren't inherently so. I'm interested to see what he will have to say at my follow up in May..
I'm just so....confused as to why I got phone calls saying my labs and sonograms were normal when, now that I'm looking at them they aren't inherently so. I'm interested to see what he will have to say at my follow up in May..
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oh, I wish I 'd known before you ordered the supplement... iodine is contraindicated for anyone with Hashimoto's as it can make the autoimmune reaction worse. Also, I'd doubt if the B-12 in it is the methylcobalamin, but it could be. I've never heard of B-6 helping with thyroid in my 10 yrs of research...hmmm. B-6 helps digest protein and all B vitamins are good for nerve function. I'm sure it does other things, as well.
Okay - HEMOGLOBIN A1c - that's related to blood glucose; what was that result?
Your Ferritin is too low, even though it's within the range; it needs to be around 60-70 to be optimal.
What was your actual iron level and your HS CRP?
Please, look in the CBC and see if there's a blood glucose, also...I can't bring myself to believe they would have ordered all those tests and not made sure there was a fasting blood glucose. :-)
Looks like there was no cholesterol testing? High cholesterol is very common with hypothyroidism, too.
Okay - HEMOGLOBIN A1c - that's related to blood glucose; what was that result?
Your Ferritin is too low, even though it's within the range; it needs to be around 60-70 to be optimal.
What was your actual iron level and your HS CRP?
Please, look in the CBC and see if there's a blood glucose, also...I can't bring myself to believe they would have ordered all those tests and not made sure there was a fasting blood glucose. :-)
Looks like there was no cholesterol testing? High cholesterol is very common with hypothyroidism, too.
3 Comments
Uh-oh, good to know about the iodine..and yes, I highly doubt that its methylcobalamin Vitamin B-12 also. Haha, oh well, guess I'll just end up returning that then!
Oh, haha I had no idea about the glucose, it came back as;
HEMOGLOBIN A1c (% of total Hgb) 4.9 [ <5.7 Standard Range]
Oh my gosh the Ferritin is too low as well....wow.
Iron level was;
RON, TOTAL (mcg/dL) 72 [40-190 Standard Range]
IRON BINDING CAPACITY (mcg/dL (calc)) 327 [250-450]
% SATURATION (% (calc)) 22 [11-50]
I just looked through the CBC and don't see anything that says "blood glucose" or the like. Would there be any sort of unusual acronym for it?
Yup no cholesterol testing at all (Guess I'll ask for that too next time).
Oh, haha I had no idea about the glucose, it came back as;
HEMOGLOBIN A1c (% of total Hgb) 4.9 [ <5.7 Standard Range]
Oh my gosh the Ferritin is too low as well....wow.
Iron level was;
RON, TOTAL (mcg/dL) 72 [40-190 Standard Range]
IRON BINDING CAPACITY (mcg/dL (calc)) 327 [250-450]
% SATURATION (% (calc)) 22 [11-50]
I just looked through the CBC and don't see anything that says "blood glucose" or the like. Would there be any sort of unusual acronym for it?
Yup no cholesterol testing at all (Guess I'll ask for that too next time).
HS CRP (mg/L) <0.2 [no standar range give]
Sorry, I skipped over this one!
Sorry, I skipped over this one!
And also, I have no idea if this is of any benefit what so ever, but a while ago (probably about 8 months ago really), I went to see a gastro about my digestive issues and she wanted to do celiac blood tests (even though I had been gluten free for well over a year at this point and I've heard if gluten isn't actively in your system the blood tests don't pick up on it?). The only thing that came back flagged in my labcorp patient portal was the Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum, which was marked as low (just slightly by their standard range);
Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum 86 LOW [Reference Range: 87-352 mg/dL]
Again, I'm not sure if this is too old to be relevant or not (and I'm also not sure if this is relevant AT ALL for Hashi's), but at this point I was still having many hypo symptoms (though not as many as I do now, and not at the same strength as they are now--it seems to have been a slow but steady decline in my health/how I feel).
Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum 86 LOW [Reference Range: 87-352 mg/dL]
Again, I'm not sure if this is too old to be relevant or not (and I'm also not sure if this is relevant AT ALL for Hashi's), but at this point I was still having many hypo symptoms (though not as many as I do now, and not at the same strength as they are now--it seems to have been a slow but steady decline in my health/how I feel).
Yeah I was considering getting a vitamin B-6 or B-12 supplement I had heard that both can be beneficial for thyroid, though I wasn't sure which would be more beneficial and I also had read somewhere that Vitamin B-6 seems to help with fT3 (I think I had found an article by Dr. Westin Childs and he had mentioned it there).
Thats super helpful about the sublingual or liquid methalcobalamin Vitamin B-12, and that its not something I can get too much of.
I did recently order a "thyroid supplement" that had selenium, iodine, and vitamin b-12 (as well as some other things) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M13NHFY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Well, I'm not surprised that my testosterone is on the higher end of normal, I've been a heavy weight lifter for the past 3 years (not that I've been doing much recently with my fatigue and these new recurring migraines that keep happening), so to be honest, I'd be more surprised if it was on the lower side.
The blood work that I had done was after my first appointment/consultation with this doctor and it was done in the office and then sent out through Quest. They didn't seem to do any other metabolic panels (and I absolutely was not fasted for this blood work)
Everything I was tested for was;
HEMOGLOBIN A1c
VITAMIN D,25-OH,TOTAL,IA
VITAMIN B12
FOLATE, SERUM
T3, FREE
TSH
T4, FREE
FERRITIN
INSULIN
THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES
THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES
HS CRP
CBC
TESTOSTERONE, TOTAL, LC/MS/MS
IRON AND TOTAL IRON BINDING CAPACITY
The Ferritin results were:
FERRITIN (ng/mL) 31 [10-154 Standard Range]
Its seriously unbelievable how difficult it is to find a doctor who listens....like a constant fight to try to get them to believe you and that your symptoms are real. But its YOUR body, you know when it doesn't feel right. Yet so many doctor seems so dismissive of these types of symptoms, its honestly scary..
Thats super helpful about the sublingual or liquid methalcobalamin Vitamin B-12, and that its not something I can get too much of.
I did recently order a "thyroid supplement" that had selenium, iodine, and vitamin b-12 (as well as some other things) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M13NHFY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Well, I'm not surprised that my testosterone is on the higher end of normal, I've been a heavy weight lifter for the past 3 years (not that I've been doing much recently with my fatigue and these new recurring migraines that keep happening), so to be honest, I'd be more surprised if it was on the lower side.
The blood work that I had done was after my first appointment/consultation with this doctor and it was done in the office and then sent out through Quest. They didn't seem to do any other metabolic panels (and I absolutely was not fasted for this blood work)
Everything I was tested for was;
HEMOGLOBIN A1c
VITAMIN D,25-OH,TOTAL,IA
VITAMIN B12
FOLATE, SERUM
T3, FREE
TSH
T4, FREE
FERRITIN
INSULIN
THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES
THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES
HS CRP
CBC
TESTOSTERONE, TOTAL, LC/MS/MS
IRON AND TOTAL IRON BINDING CAPACITY
The Ferritin results were:
FERRITIN (ng/mL) 31 [10-154 Standard Range]
Its seriously unbelievable how difficult it is to find a doctor who listens....like a constant fight to try to get them to believe you and that your symptoms are real. But its YOUR body, you know when it doesn't feel right. Yet so many doctor seems so dismissive of these types of symptoms, its honestly scary..
COMMUNITY LEADER
Your B-12 is well within the "normal" range, but the ranges are something of a joke. It's interesting to note that some countries, such as Japan, consider anything below 500 as deficient, so why would we, in the U.S. think it's okay to let levels get as low as 200 and still be okay? My lab puts a note on saying that anything under 500 may present symptoms of deficiency. In view of that, your level of 613 is nothing to write home about. I, personally, and I know of others, have to keep levels at the very top of the range in order to alleviate symptoms of deficiency - the main one being extreme fatigue... B-12 is water soluble, so it's not going to hurt you if you get too much - it just goes out in urine. I'd suggest that you supplement daily. Get a sublingual (under the tongue) type or liquid, which are better used. Also make sure you get a methylcobalamin, not cyanocobalamin, which is the most common/least expensive type since many of us don't absorb the cyanocobalamin.
Your folate level looks good.
Your testosterone is "high normal", but they're right that it's still normal. IMO, that doesn't necessarily mean you don't have PCOS, which is related to irregular menstrual cycles and blood glucose irregularities. I'm scratching head over them not testing blood glucose... did they not order a metabolic panel that includes fasting glucose?
There's a reason you have low insulin levels and they should be trying to find out why - is it because your pancreas isn't working properly? That's a rhetorical question and one your doctor should be answering...
What about ferritin? Did they by any chance order that? Ferritin is the iron storage hormone. Iron is necessary for the production of thyroid hormones; it's also necessary for conversion of the T4 storage hormone to the active T3 hormone. In addition, iron is necessary for the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen to our cells and helps produce energy.
You don't necessarily "need" an endo; you simply need to talk with this doctor and ask questions about these things so they can be followed up. If he refuses to follow up or take them seriously, then you'll need to look into getting another doctor. It's important to remember that not all endos are good thyroid doctors. I'm in the process of ditching one who is highly recommended and I wouldn't give you a plug nickel for her, because I've been seeing her for 2 years and I doubt seriously she has listened to more than 2 thoughts I've tried to convey to her in all that time... Don't be fooled by the title "specialist" - not all of them are so "special"...
Your folate level looks good.
Your testosterone is "high normal", but they're right that it's still normal. IMO, that doesn't necessarily mean you don't have PCOS, which is related to irregular menstrual cycles and blood glucose irregularities. I'm scratching head over them not testing blood glucose... did they not order a metabolic panel that includes fasting glucose?
There's a reason you have low insulin levels and they should be trying to find out why - is it because your pancreas isn't working properly? That's a rhetorical question and one your doctor should be answering...
What about ferritin? Did they by any chance order that? Ferritin is the iron storage hormone. Iron is necessary for the production of thyroid hormones; it's also necessary for conversion of the T4 storage hormone to the active T3 hormone. In addition, iron is necessary for the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen to our cells and helps produce energy.
You don't necessarily "need" an endo; you simply need to talk with this doctor and ask questions about these things so they can be followed up. If he refuses to follow up or take them seriously, then you'll need to look into getting another doctor. It's important to remember that not all endos are good thyroid doctors. I'm in the process of ditching one who is highly recommended and I wouldn't give you a plug nickel for her, because I've been seeing her for 2 years and I doubt seriously she has listened to more than 2 thoughts I've tried to convey to her in all that time... Don't be fooled by the title "specialist" - not all of them are so "special"...
2 Comments
Yikes... I posted my response about 40 minutes ago but for some reason it doesn't exactly seem to be showing up (even though under my activity I can see it was posted).....
Weird.
What I said basically was I was considering getting a vitamin B-6 or B-12 supplement I had heard that both can be beneficial for thyroid, read on a page somewhere (I think Dr. Westin Childs, maybe?), that B-6 can help encourage raising Free T3. I had found a supplement on amazon called titled "Thyroid Support Supplement with Iodine - Metabolism, Energy and Focus Formula - Vegetarian & Non-GMO - Vitamin B12 Complex, Zinc, Selenium, Ashwagandha, Copper, Coleus Forskohlii & more 30 Day Supply" it came up as I was searching for Selenium..
I absolutely will have to look for some of the sublingual/liquid Vitamin B-12 as I'm thinking your probably right, I probably do need to be in a much higher region of the reference range.
As for my testosterone being in the higher side of the normal range, I'm not surprised in any way shape or form as I've been an avid heavy weight lifter for the past three years (thought I haven't been able to much recently with my extreme fatigue and recurring evil migraines). I don't necessarily believe that I have PCOS...I do have somewhat irregular menstrual cycles, as well as acne, and facial hair (upper lip/unibrow). But none of it is hormonal hair (its super soft), my father is hispanic and Italian decent, I've always had super dark hair even as a child.
Weird.
What I said basically was I was considering getting a vitamin B-6 or B-12 supplement I had heard that both can be beneficial for thyroid, read on a page somewhere (I think Dr. Westin Childs, maybe?), that B-6 can help encourage raising Free T3. I had found a supplement on amazon called titled "Thyroid Support Supplement with Iodine - Metabolism, Energy and Focus Formula - Vegetarian & Non-GMO - Vitamin B12 Complex, Zinc, Selenium, Ashwagandha, Copper, Coleus Forskohlii & more 30 Day Supply" it came up as I was searching for Selenium..
I absolutely will have to look for some of the sublingual/liquid Vitamin B-12 as I'm thinking your probably right, I probably do need to be in a much higher region of the reference range.
As for my testosterone being in the higher side of the normal range, I'm not surprised in any way shape or form as I've been an avid heavy weight lifter for the past three years (thought I haven't been able to much recently with my extreme fatigue and recurring evil migraines). I don't necessarily believe that I have PCOS...I do have somewhat irregular menstrual cycles, as well as acne, and facial hair (upper lip/unibrow). But none of it is hormonal hair (its super soft), my father is hispanic and Italian decent, I've always had super dark hair even as a child.
Ugh....haha now my original post is visible again haha, I'm so sorry I jumbled this up!!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Reverse T3 is a mirror image of Free T3. It docks in T3 receptors so Free T3 can't get in. It's, typically, more important for those of us that are already on thyroid medication, because we're usually put on T4, only, med and a lot of us don't convert adequately. Many times the T4 is converted to rT3 instead of Free T3. rT3 can be a way to prevent T4 from converting to too much Free T3 so in a sense it can be a way for the body to protect itself.
Most doctors don't test rT3, except naturopaths or functional medicine doctors. rT3 is generally considered the best way to tell if one has resistance to thyroid hormones.
It won't hurt to test it if your doctor is willing to order it.
Yes, your vitamin D is too low. It needs to be at least 60-70 and can be as high as 100 - even 40 is not optimal.
Since your insulin was marked as low, what was your blood glucose? They work in tandem. Often if insulin is low, glucose would be high. Insulin is made by the pancreas, which like the thyroid is an endocrine gland. All of the endocrine glands much work together in order for us to feel well. If one isn't working well, it can throw off the others.
B-12 is, typically, the only B vitamin that's routinely tested, other than folate, which works with Vitamin B-12. The others are only done with special panels that are, typically, not paid for by insurance and are very expensive. They are usually not needed unless one has malabsorption other problems.
Isabella Wentz is a fair source of information. There are a lot of others that are similar. I've been at this for 10 yrs, so I can rattle off stuff pretty easily. :-)
I'm glad you understood my typo. I figured you would, but thought I should clarify.
PCOS often goes hand in hand with hypothyroidism. Do you have a copy of your thyroid ultrasound? Do you have any nodules?
Most doctors don't test rT3, except naturopaths or functional medicine doctors. rT3 is generally considered the best way to tell if one has resistance to thyroid hormones.
It won't hurt to test it if your doctor is willing to order it.
Yes, your vitamin D is too low. It needs to be at least 60-70 and can be as high as 100 - even 40 is not optimal.
Since your insulin was marked as low, what was your blood glucose? They work in tandem. Often if insulin is low, glucose would be high. Insulin is made by the pancreas, which like the thyroid is an endocrine gland. All of the endocrine glands much work together in order for us to feel well. If one isn't working well, it can throw off the others.
B-12 is, typically, the only B vitamin that's routinely tested, other than folate, which works with Vitamin B-12. The others are only done with special panels that are, typically, not paid for by insurance and are very expensive. They are usually not needed unless one has malabsorption other problems.
Isabella Wentz is a fair source of information. There are a lot of others that are similar. I've been at this for 10 yrs, so I can rattle off stuff pretty easily. :-)
I'm glad you understood my typo. I figured you would, but thought I should clarify.
PCOS often goes hand in hand with hypothyroidism. Do you have a copy of your thyroid ultrasound? Do you have any nodules?
1 Comments
Hmmmm interesting about the rT3. Wow, okay so according to what you said my Vitamin D really is low. I just double checked my blood panels and actually my Vitamin B-12 and Folate were tested (see below), however my glucose was not..
VITAMIN B12 (pg/mL) 613 [200-1100 Standard Range]
FOLATE, SERUM (ng/mL) 15.8 No Standard Range given
Haha well I absolutely appreciate your wealth of knowledge that you've been sharing with me.
So at this rate, would you recommend seeing an endocrinologist? Or at least I suppose if this doctor does not take my autoimmunity seriously. My current doctor is an internist in the area and really the first doctor out of 5 to take any of my symptoms seriously.
I unfortunately do not have a copy of my thyroid ultrasound but I absolutely but will be calling in and asking for one when their office opens again after the weekend though--even though I got the call saying the results were "normal" I'd rather be able to see it for myself as well...especially after I was called saying my blood work all came back "normal" (minus the vitamin D being low) when in reality I had the TPO antibodies.
However he did test my Testosterone (presumably for the PCOS) and the results were;
TESTOSTERONE, TOTAL, LC/MS/MS (ng/dL) 35 [2-45 Standard Range]
VITAMIN B12 (pg/mL) 613 [200-1100 Standard Range]
FOLATE, SERUM (ng/mL) 15.8 No Standard Range given
Haha well I absolutely appreciate your wealth of knowledge that you've been sharing with me.
So at this rate, would you recommend seeing an endocrinologist? Or at least I suppose if this doctor does not take my autoimmunity seriously. My current doctor is an internist in the area and really the first doctor out of 5 to take any of my symptoms seriously.
I unfortunately do not have a copy of my thyroid ultrasound but I absolutely but will be calling in and asking for one when their office opens again after the weekend though--even though I got the call saying the results were "normal" I'd rather be able to see it for myself as well...especially after I was called saying my blood work all came back "normal" (minus the vitamin D being low) when in reality I had the TPO antibodies.
However he did test my Testosterone (presumably for the PCOS) and the results were;
TESTOSTERONE, TOTAL, LC/MS/MS (ng/dL) 35 [2-45 Standard Range]
COMMUNITY LEADER
Wow, you have a ton of hypo symptoms. Have you talked to your doctor about them? Oh silly me, of course, you have and s/he's given you some crazy response about how they have to be something else... right?
Yes, studies have shown that selenium will reduce TPOab levels, but nobody knows how many antibodies it takes to destroy the thyroid, so if you reduce them by 20%, you still have 80% left. Not to sound like a pessimist, it "can" help, but it's not going to be the cure you're looking for. The only thing that replace thyroid hormones is thyroid hormones. If you have enough, you have to replace them.
You didn't post your vitamin D level so I don't know what that is... Vitamin D is necessary for production/synthesis of thyroid hormones, but it isn't going to stop the attack on your thyroid or repair damage that's already been done.
If you're gluten and lactose intolerant, you should be on a gluten/dairy free diet, as well as sugar and soy free. It's not an easy diet to be on - I know, I'm supposed to be on it, too, but it does help.
I'd strongly suggest that you ask to get vitamin B-12 tested since you have that never ending fatigue. Although fatigue is a common symptom of hypothyroidism, the "I feel like I'm going die" type is often a vitamin B-12 deficiency which also often goes with hypothyroidism.
Your doctor seems to be doing you a disservice and if they refuse to take autoimmunity seriously, you might want to think about finding a different doctor.
Yes, studies have shown that selenium will reduce TPOab levels, but nobody knows how many antibodies it takes to destroy the thyroid, so if you reduce them by 20%, you still have 80% left. Not to sound like a pessimist, it "can" help, but it's not going to be the cure you're looking for. The only thing that replace thyroid hormones is thyroid hormones. If you have enough, you have to replace them.
You didn't post your vitamin D level so I don't know what that is... Vitamin D is necessary for production/synthesis of thyroid hormones, but it isn't going to stop the attack on your thyroid or repair damage that's already been done.
If you're gluten and lactose intolerant, you should be on a gluten/dairy free diet, as well as sugar and soy free. It's not an easy diet to be on - I know, I'm supposed to be on it, too, but it does help.
I'd strongly suggest that you ask to get vitamin B-12 tested since you have that never ending fatigue. Although fatigue is a common symptom of hypothyroidism, the "I feel like I'm going die" type is often a vitamin B-12 deficiency which also often goes with hypothyroidism.
Your doctor seems to be doing you a disservice and if they refuse to take autoimmunity seriously, you might want to think about finding a different doctor.
4 Comments
Sorry, reading back over my response: "If you have enough, you have to replace them. " should read: If you *don't* have enough, you have to replace them...
Hahah yes, I indeed do seem to have textbook hypo symptoms, and my roommate had suggested Hashimoto's (her old roommate had it, but I had never heard of it before).
That is also the same way I felt about the selenium. And I want to get the whole picture here. I had read online to suggest getting Reverse T3 tested also, would you think this would be of significance?
Sorry, my Vitamin D results were;
VITAMIN D,25-OH,TOTAL,IA (ng/mL) 35 [30-100 Standard Range]
They are also in the "normal" range but my Dr said that he likes all of his patients vitamin D levels to be 40, preferably 50 (hmm....so he likes Vitamin D at optimal levels but not Free T3 or Free T4 it seems...)
My Insulin was also marked as low (I have no idea if this is relevant in any way shape or form..)
INSULIN (uIU/mL) 1.8 [2.0-19.6 Standard Range]
Yeah, I'm entirely GF and have been for probably...2.5-3 years now. I definitely limit dairy but there are some things that I know still have dairy so I think you're right, if I do have Hashimoto's, as my results and symptoms really seem to suggest, I think I'm absolutely going to have to do the jump of full dairy free, soy free :( , and sugar free---I obviously feel as thought (thanks to my using my resources with the patient portal and your informative responses) I've caught this early enough to try to prevent more damage.
Vitamin B-12 (or any of the Vitamin B's) were not tested at all either. So I will absolutely ask for that when I go back in early May (soonest follow up I could get), as well as the Reverse T3 if you think that is important or any other blood tests you might suggest. And yes, if when I see him he refuses to take this autoimmunity seriously, I will have to seek out another professional to help, obviously seeing those results were a little shocking, and especially when the practice called and only mentioned Vitamin D levels..
Thank you again for all of your answers and information! You are the first person who has really given me any information to go off of, (besides Dr. Isabella Wentz' article on the stages of Hashimoto's) I had been finding trouble getting any information for my particular situation.
That is also the same way I felt about the selenium. And I want to get the whole picture here. I had read online to suggest getting Reverse T3 tested also, would you think this would be of significance?
Sorry, my Vitamin D results were;
VITAMIN D,25-OH,TOTAL,IA (ng/mL) 35 [30-100 Standard Range]
They are also in the "normal" range but my Dr said that he likes all of his patients vitamin D levels to be 40, preferably 50 (hmm....so he likes Vitamin D at optimal levels but not Free T3 or Free T4 it seems...)
My Insulin was also marked as low (I have no idea if this is relevant in any way shape or form..)
INSULIN (uIU/mL) 1.8 [2.0-19.6 Standard Range]
Yeah, I'm entirely GF and have been for probably...2.5-3 years now. I definitely limit dairy but there are some things that I know still have dairy so I think you're right, if I do have Hashimoto's, as my results and symptoms really seem to suggest, I think I'm absolutely going to have to do the jump of full dairy free, soy free :( , and sugar free---I obviously feel as thought (thanks to my using my resources with the patient portal and your informative responses) I've caught this early enough to try to prevent more damage.
Vitamin B-12 (or any of the Vitamin B's) were not tested at all either. So I will absolutely ask for that when I go back in early May (soonest follow up I could get), as well as the Reverse T3 if you think that is important or any other blood tests you might suggest. And yes, if when I see him he refuses to take this autoimmunity seriously, I will have to seek out another professional to help, obviously seeing those results were a little shocking, and especially when the practice called and only mentioned Vitamin D levels..
Thank you again for all of your answers and information! You are the first person who has really given me any information to go off of, (besides Dr. Isabella Wentz' article on the stages of Hashimoto's) I had been finding trouble getting any information for my particular situation.
And haha, yes I figured you meant "If you *don't* have enough, you have to replace them. "
Also, I forgot to mention that I had a thyroid sonogram (as well as pelvic because my Dr was pretty certain that I had PCOS), but was told that both ultrasounds came back normal.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'm sorry I didn't see your post sooner. Your elevated Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) indicates that you have Hashimoto's, which is an autoimmune condition that seeks out and destroys the thyroid. The autoimmune process can happen for years before the thyroid actually stops producing thyroid hormones. Yours is still producing some but, apparently, not enough hormones. The decline in production will continue until, eventually, your thyroid will produce nothing.
Both your Free T4 and Free T3 are in the lower part of their ranges, indicating that your thyroid is not optimal.
What, if any, symptoms do you have?
Both your Free T4 and Free T3 are in the lower part of their ranges, indicating that your thyroid is not optimal.
What, if any, symptoms do you have?
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Wow...this has been more eye opening than my doctor's response so far. After my blood work came back in, the only thing my doctors office called me about was being low in Vitamin D (the antibodies weren't even mentioned at all) and when I inquired about it further all he said was that my other thyroid panels were stated to look "ok", and just that we should "watch it" and that I "could" take selenium and it "can" help with TPO levels.
I actually have started having MANY symptoms since the beginning of 2017. Recurring constipation (regardless of fiber/water in take) and an overall sensation of slow digestion, weight gain (went from 113lbs to 131lbs), dry skin and dandruff, always cold (even in upper 70's F), raynauds phenomena, gluten and lactose/dairy intolerances, weak fingernails, orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure), recently I've noticed my heart rate (via my fitbit) to be in the 50's often, overactive bladder, within the last two weeks recurrent migraines, acne, random joint and muscle aches/pains, feeling of numbness in fingers, heart palpitations (I've had these as long as I can remember though), this weird pain or soreness at the front of my neck, dry eyes and throat (always, no matter how much water I drink), irregular menstrual cycles (often lasting 8-10 days in length), terrible "brain fog" and inability to concentrate, vertigo/dizziness sensation of weakness and an EXTREME sense of fatigue...I'm sleeping like 9-10 hrs a night and feel like I can barely make it through the work day (I used to go to the gym every morning before work but I haven't been able to do this the past 3 weeks I've been so fatigued.
Thank you for your response Barb135!
I actually have started having MANY symptoms since the beginning of 2017. Recurring constipation (regardless of fiber/water in take) and an overall sensation of slow digestion, weight gain (went from 113lbs to 131lbs), dry skin and dandruff, always cold (even in upper 70's F), raynauds phenomena, gluten and lactose/dairy intolerances, weak fingernails, orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure), recently I've noticed my heart rate (via my fitbit) to be in the 50's often, overactive bladder, within the last two weeks recurrent migraines, acne, random joint and muscle aches/pains, feeling of numbness in fingers, heart palpitations (I've had these as long as I can remember though), this weird pain or soreness at the front of my neck, dry eyes and throat (always, no matter how much water I drink), irregular menstrual cycles (often lasting 8-10 days in length), terrible "brain fog" and inability to concentrate, vertigo/dizziness sensation of weakness and an EXTREME sense of fatigue...I'm sleeping like 9-10 hrs a night and feel like I can barely make it through the work day (I used to go to the gym every morning before work but I haven't been able to do this the past 3 weeks I've been so fatigued.
Thank you for your response Barb135!
This was my first time getting a thyroid panel done and I'm a little confused by the results here, especially since, according to the reference ranges given with my lab work, everything is within "normal" levels EXCEPT for my Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (although my symptoms do seem to correspond with those of hypothyroid). Just a little confused and if anyone can explain what these can potentially mean.
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