Blood test results - what does it mean?

Nicci Sorry to hear this. Did your GP give an opinion as to thy your antibodies were raised? was blood drawn to check for other antibodies thyroid or otherwise?

Have u ever been diagnosed with glandular fever Nicci?

 There are artticles written by endocrinolists that one can google which mmay clarify things for your dr.

You are not alone in this- believe you me.

Are you in the UK?

 

I just sent a PM to you. 

I meant to ask if you have heard of thyroid UK or the patients advocacy service run by Sheila Turner .

There are rlots of peer reviews written by doctors on those websites.

Nicci, you won! (Even if it didn't feel like it). It's results that count and you got her to agree to a trial of thyroxine.

On your next visit, one course of action would be to draw her attention to the fact that you are at the top if the range (I'm presuming uour range is the same as mine 0.4-4.9) and that actually you don't know what the normal TSH level would have been for you prior to becoming poorly. Accept the trial and agree to a review in 3 months time (it will take that long for your body to adapt). To get the best out of thyroxine, take it in the morning 1 hour before food and don't take any medication containing iron or calcium within 4 hours.

Wheb taking the thyroxine, personally I would cut the tablet up and take a quarter of it on each of the first 3 days, then increase it to a half tablet for each of the next three days, then three quarters on each of the next 3 days. On the 10th day you will be up to the 25 mcg dose. (This is based on my experience if being on thyroxine and increasing/decreasing doses not on any medical knowledge). At some point it's worth getting iron, Ferritin, vitamin B12 and vitamin D tested. Ferritin needs to be 70+ for your body to process thyroxine properly. Calcium, potassium and magnesium if you can but this might be more difficult.

Hello Nicci:

Antibodies should not be over 34 for TPOA  and TSH is over 4.5 and that is not normal. I hate to say it, this doctor is plain wrong. 

Try the Levo and let's see how it makes you feel.  I am sure you will start to feel better as you build a level. Take it 1 hour before meals.

I had all the symptoms you listed back in 1987 when I was diagnosed. Keep up the fight, and if they do blood again and your TPO and TSH come down that is proof positive.

Shelly

Hi Cindy, My apologies for taking sometime to get back and thank you very much for taking the time to email me and for your kind support.. 

To answer your question, she didn't really give any answers, the two doctor's i've seen have not really given me any answers, just that there is a very high chance that i will develop something, very vague, the words hashimotos haven't once been said. Whenever I pointed out my results I was just told they weren't high enough to cause concern and just kept repeating that I shouldn't listen to people online. She was very annoyed I questioned her. I think I struggled to get my points across because I don't really understand it well myself so perhaps didn't sound very convincing. Next time I will ask as you say why are my antibodies raised then if there is apparently nothing to be concerned about? I don't understand why they have a 'normal' range, to then tell you when you don't fall in normal range there's nothing the matter! All very contradictory. 

As far as I know i've never had glandular fever, i'm sure i'd remember if i had?

I'm in the Uk. I have done a lot of reading up on this the last couple of weeks and am astounded at how this is so often ignored by doctors. 

I have also been watching the videos you recommended, very interesting, i think i'm on no.8 of 24. Thank you for recommending.

 

I've had a quick look at Sheila Turner on your recommendation and when I get through the videos I'm going to look into this further. Thank you. X

Hi Shelly,

I very much took on board what you said previously and stated these facts to the doctor, I stated that a nurse had advised me along with my own research. The doctor actually point blank refused to take my symptoms into consideration and basically said I couldn't have them as my readings weren't high enough! The crazy thing is I had never even heard of this until 3 weeks ago. I had been for acupuncture for something totally unrelated in january and the acupuncturist said i had a very purple swollen scalloped tongue and asked me numerous questions about my health and recommend I take floradix. I got home and did some research on chinese medicine and this lead me to thyroid symptoms, and when I saw the symptoms of under active thyroid i just couldn't believe it, it was staring me in the face, i just knew that was what was wrong with me. I never  generally self diagnose but there was no denying those symptoms.

I just need to find a way to get her to take me seriously, rather than just argue with me. Whilst she has said she MAY consider medication after my blood test next week, it would be nice to feel she was actually trying to be supportive and helpful rather than humoring me!

Do you find that the medication has worked well for you? 

Thank you once again Shelly for taking the time to support and share your experience.

Nicci

Hi Barbara,

Thank you for your very supportive email and I'm sorry ive taken a few days to get back to you.

Unfortunately she hasn't totally agreed to medication, it is based on my next blood test results. It sounds crackers but i'm half hoping they're worse so atleast i might get medication rather than have her tell me I couldn't possibly have symptoms as there is nothing wrong with me. The whole thing is crazy how so many doctor's just won't acknowlede symptoms if you fall within ranges or close to the 'norm'. 

Anyway, I have my test on Wednesday so probably won't know my results for a good few days. I will keep you posted . Thank you for your advice regarding taking thyroxine, that sounds like a good idea. 

My serum ferritin level was 88 on my last test in February and my B12 301 i'd been taking floradix for around 1 month at that point. I've noticed no chnges to how i feel for taking it but i'm sticking with it. Maybe i'm expecting to much...

Thank you and keep well.

 

Hello Nicci:

Oh yes, the medication helps you with what your body needs. Our thyroid is a hard working gland and makes us have energy, periods for us ladies, good core body temp, our metabolism and  our mood.  It does a lot and we don't think about it.

When I was young I was 12,  I had symptoms COLD all the time and badly constipated, and nobody tested me back then and my parents took me to the doctor and all.  I was told to eat prunes and raisin bran for constipation.  Later I had more symptoms and by 1987 I had a goiter develop from lack of thyroid treatment.

I was diagnosed later in 1987( by a GP ) who knew more than an ENDO. You need a smart doctor you can talk to.  Your doctor has to be supportive or else you will not get better.

In UK you have NICE Guidelines and TPAUK also can help with doctors I am told.  I am in the USA, but you do have these NICE guidelines which can help get you the medication you need.

Not all doctors are as smart, some know but others are not educated enough about the  thyroid.  It happened to me in my teenage years and if they do not go  by symptoms then the  thyroid will struggle hard to make enough hormone and things will get worse. So fight for your health and if needed can you switch GP's?

Keep us all posted and we care about you. Any questions just ask,

Shelly

Nicci, if you don't get any joy with this doctor on Wednesday, make an appointment to see another doctor at the same surgery. Doctors do disagree with each other and this can work to your advantage.

Hello Maggie:

Some doctors will go by symptoms and place great weight on that.  Others really rely on TSH, T4 and T3 levels or TPOA and TGab tests for antibodies. If the tests are off or abnormal most will treat you.

If your symptoms are any of these, feeling cold, weight gain, bruising, headaches, hair loss, low body temp, low pulse, brittle nails, dry skin and scalp, constipation, mood problems or depressed feelings, muscle aches, etc...that may be the reason. 

If you feel good or do not feel have thyroid problems, then ask why you were placed on it.

Shey

 

Thanks Shelly,

So it's not just the THS levels that they go by?

Yes, I do have many of these symptoms.

Ok, well do you know how long it will take to feel results from thyroid medication. Does it start working immediately ?

Thank you,

Maggie

Hello Maggie:

Our bodies are slow and it can take 6 to 12 weeks to feel better.  It takes most people around 5 to 6 weeks to see some changes in symptoms and since we can all be different it can take longer in some of us.

It does get into the blood stream fast but to build a good level it can take a bit of time. 

No not just TSH which can go up or down in a given 24 hour day. The doctor should listen and if you say your symptoms they are to take that into account. 

In our fast paced world we want a quick fix but our bodies need time to adjust and build a level.  Take a good multivitamin with iron with food as we want good vitamins in our blood and our body needs iron and ferritin a component of iron to make our thyroid meds work.  Take a vitamin about 4 hours after your thyroid med.

Any questions just ask,

Shelly

Thank you so much for all the information you provided.

Yes I do take my vitamins. Someone on this site mentioned taking thyroid meds at night before bed. So I started doing that.

I must say, I don't know if it is from the thyroid meds , but I never slept better in a while.

Thanks again,

Maggie

Hello Maggie:

You can do that.  Some find it better at night, there is no right or wrong, just make sure you take it without food.

I take mine at night  as I have other pills in my  morning to take. I sleep okay and some take it first thing in the morning as they like to do. We are all a bit different and as long as you are okay with it take it at night.

Keep getting better, any questions just ask.

Shelly

Shelly,

Why is it so important to take without food?

That is something I really don't think about.

I mean at night, I might have popcorn, candy or a snack. Will that interact with the meds in a negative manner?

Maggie

Hello Maggie:

Our meds go through our stomach and enter the small intestines or bowels. In the bowel we have receptor sites and food blocks the medication from attaching to these receptor sites and getting into the blood stream.  Food can be in your stomach for up to 30 mins after you eat and then it goes into the small intestine.  There food is absorbed and can be there for a while more so after 1 hour the food should be out of there and that is why they say wait 1 hour.

Some meds need food.  Snacks are food, so just take it without food.

Great question by the way, and if you have any more just ask.

Shelly

Good Morning Shelly,

Will I lose weight on this medication. Which I do welcome.

Will I be on this medication forever? Or is it just until my body stabilizes.

I am also on HRT. And Wellbrutrin.

Your a Godsend,

Maggie

Hello Maggie:

After the body has the right amount of Thyroxine (thyroid hormone) and gets used to it, it should be easier to lose weight as long as you do some exercise like walking.  Also do watch carbs and dairy items and sweets as they do not help with any diet plan. Avoid gluten also.  Eat fresh fish, lean meats, chicken, good vegetables,salads, etc...

I do simple walking and lost 32 pounds and I watch carbs and dairy and sweets. 

Wellbutrin is for depression and it has a "weird side effect" of making you not want sex.  You may want to switch if this is a problem for you.  You can look it up online.

Prozac and Zoloft are for depression also and they have a side effect for reducing appetite so if you can ask your doctor for either Prozac or Zoloft. 

Thanks for your kind words, I appreciate it. If you have a question just ask,

Shelly

 

Your wonderful Shelly,

Thank you for taking the time to help me.

I was not one to even like taking aspirin !

But my dear cousin took her life September a year ago, I have had an awful time of it. I am recovering slowly.I needed help Badly.

Now look I'm on HRT, (which have helped immensely ). thyroid meds, and yes, Wellbrutrin .

Your absolutely right, forget sex!!!!

I will ask about Prozac and Zoloft .

Do you think it would e hard for me to adjust to these meds replacing Wellbrutrin?

Thank you again my friend,

Maggie

Hello Maggie:

I understand your need for the medication.  The only antidepressent pill that has that side effect with your sex drive is Wellbutrin. Others do not do that.

Prozac or Zoloft are both anti-depressents and they should be about the same for you.  They do not cause any problems with the sex drive which is good.  Ask your doctor for it and explain the lack of sex drive, I am sure the doctor will understand.

They are safe as long as you follow the prescibed amount. Most people do not see any real differences except for the sex drive problem that only occurs with Wellbutrin.  Some people lose weight on antidepressents since they can curb your appetite.

HRT will not bother these meds at all.

Always a pleasure to help someone, any questions just ask,

Shelly