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Blood test results - what does it mean?

Posted , 9 users are following.

nicci74
nicci74

Hi, I recently went to my doctors complaining of feeling over tired for the last few years but in particular the last few months. Depression, was and is something i've suffered for years. Before going to the doctors I started doing my own research on line (putting off going to my new docs) as i've known things just aren't right with my body for some time. All of my symptoms pointed to an underactive thyroid. I'm generally not one for self diagnosing so felt a bit embarrased to say to my doctor my symptoms pointed to an under active thyroid. Anyway she carried out some blood tests and I have the results. The doctor said i was borderline and should have tests once a year. I've read tests arent so accurate, something to do with T3/T4? I just hoped someone might help me understand as i know i dont feel right and the doc said diet would make no difference and theres nothing i can do. Surely not the case😕?

I'll just give test results which are above/below range, (i presume thats all thats needed).

SERUM TSH LEVEL 4.9mlU/L above range

TPO states above range (no result figures given)

MEAN CELL HAEMOGLOBIN LEVEL 32.9pg

NEUTROPHIL COUNT 1.9 10*9/L below range

SERUM TOTAL BILIRUBIN LEVEL 37 umol/L above range

Any advice would be very much appreciated please, I'm sick of feeling like I do.

1 like, 114 replies

114 Replies

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  • nicci74
    nicci74

    Posted

    Hi everyone, i'm back with some new results (although not what i was expecting) and wondered if anyone could advise me please before speaking with a 3rd doctor on Friday.

    So this was my second blood test (previous in Feb) and the results show;

    Serum vitamin D level below range at 31 nmol/L. From my own research i believe this isn't too low that i should be particuarly concerned?

    T4 13.8 pmol/L normal i believe.

    I requested T3 but it hasnt been done.

    Bilirubin is still up but lower than last results at 28 umol/L.

    Then the TPO which I thought would be the main reason for the test has not actually been carried out. The receptionist called the doctor when I questioned this and then fed back to me that because my test in Feb shows there are antibodies present that they dont need to test this time because they know there are antibodies present. Surely the whole point is to see if my reading has changed for better/worse?

    Can anyone advise if i'm wrong here and that in fact it isnt necessary to have the reading 3 months from my last? I just don't understand what the test was for if not that?

    Any views or advice would be much appreciated.

    Nicci 😕

  • nicci74
    nicci74

    Posted

    Oh i forgot;

    TSH is still at 4.9 mlU/L

    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 nicci74

      Posted

      Do get treated for vitamin D deficiency. My doctors range is 50-?. So on this level you would be deficient. A deficiency reportedly can't be corrected by diet alone. Two of the symptoms are depression and fatigue. You never know, if you get this corrected, you might find the thyroid antibodies improve. What's your calcium level like? If you are low in vitamin D you are likely not to be absorbing calcium properly. Also check Ferritin, potassium and magnesium if you can.
    • nicci74
      nicci74 barbara98940

      Posted

      Hi Barbara,

      Thanks for getting back. When i speak to the doctor tomorrow i will ask about this. Can i ask what your views are on re testing my TPO which was purposefully missed out this time? Do you think this is right?

      Many thanks

    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 nicci74

      Posted

      Doctors tend not to retest TPO once they know you have the antibodies.  If you are in the UK, at my lab the range for TSH is 0.4-4.9 so you are just on the upper limit.  The TPO reading means your body's antibodies are attacking your thyroid.  So it looks like you are starting to develop Hashimotos Hypothyroidism and retesting won't really tell you anything at this stage unless you have taken action to get the antibodies down.  There are a number of things reported to help, such as cutting out gluten (it is said there's a protein in gluten similar to that in the thyroid and the body can get confused and attack the thyroid), cutting out junk food and eating healthily (no ready meals!)  May be worth taking a multivitamin to ensure you are getting sufficient Selenium as this is reported to be essential to thyroid health, as is iodine (though Iodine is toxic to the thyroid if too high).  I really like the writings by a phamacist who reportedly cured herself of hashimotos hypothyroidism and is helping others 'find your root cause', if you sign up, she gives loads of useful information free, all backed up by research articles.
    • nicci74
      nicci74 barbara98940

      Posted

      Hi Barbara,

      Thanks again for getting back. The doctor has prescribed me with vitamin d for which i collect my prescription today, i'm not yet sure what dose. I spoke of hashi's to him which i feel fell on deaf ears slightly. He stated if i feel no better in 3 months after my vit d then i will have further blood tests and reluctantly stated he'd consider levothyroxine. In your opinion do you think this is the best option for me or should i be taking levothyroxine now? Many thanks once again for being so kind in taking the time to help me, nicci

    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 nicci74

      Posted

      Hi Nicci, as two of the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are fatigue and depression (also both symptoms of hypothyroidism) it's a really good idea to fix the vitamin D deficiency first and see what symptoms remain. It isn't a good idea to start any medication unless it necessary. Lots of things affect thyroid health and it may be that it will resolve itself once your body is no longer under the stress of having a vitamin D deficiency. To absorb vitamin D one also needs magnesium so look up which foods are high in magnesium and eat more of them. All the best, let us know how you get on.
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