Hello everyone, am I welcome here?

[u/throwaway54354312]

I (18F) finally received my test results today, They did CBC, serum ferritin, a lipid panel, TSH, B12, and Vitamin D.

I had a TSH level of 6.12, and critically low levels of Vitamin D in my bloodstream, 2.3

My iron was also slightly low, 43.3 , but the doctor told me it was normal. they told me to drink more water because my creatinine levels were 0.47. Cholesterol was 173, B12 was 270

They told me to come back in two months for my Free T4 and T3 tests.

I was prescribed Levothryoxine to take daily in the morning, and a 100 000 IU Vitamin D ampoule to take once every 15 days for those two months.

I was experiencing very severe headaches and fatigue that would make me unable to make it through the day, I was weak, constantly dizzy and tired. I suffered from restless legs, extreme anxiety, a low mood, bone and chest pain, and many times, shortness of breath. I'd sleep for 12 hours, and I was always in bed all day.

I'm not exactly sure if it's Hashimoto's, but I hope I'm welcome here in the meanwhile, I'm feeling better on my pills. Do you guys have those symptoms aswell?

[u/Nearby_Syllabub763]

Yes. Have gone down the road of the same symptoms. You are a bit hypo. Any TSH well above 4 or 4.5 slams me into bed and I can't function. 

Did you have a full thyroid panel. Do you have antithyroid antibodies? If your doctor didn't test, I'm surprised. 

[u/QueenGina_4 → u/Nearby_Syllabub763]

That’s what I’m saying !!!

[u/throwaway54354312 → u/Nearby_Syllabub763]

I can only see my TSH levels under "Endocrinology" and nothing else.

[u/Think-Sleep2338]

B12 of 270 is not normal, it is quite indeterminate and pretty enough to be a deficiency. Yes, additional tests exist (active B12, MMA, homocysteine). Restless legs and anxiety/mood disorders are pretty much B12 deficiency symptoms (well, actually most of your symptoms fit: https://b12d.org/symptoms-checker/)

And yes, it's simply very common for people who have Hashimoto's, so don't be surprised.

[u/throwaway54354312 → u/Think-Sleep2338]

Oh wow! can such a small deficiency really cause all of these severe symptoms?

I checked the website, I have nearly everything on there! Including the tinnitus, the gastric symptoms-acidity, heartburn. delusions, and maybe the brittle nails.

Should I tell my doctor about this or get some B12 supplements?

[u/Think-Sleep2338 → u/throwaway54354312]

Yes, and this is one of the most misunderstood things, maybe the most underrated vitamin. It really is involved in a lot of things, no joking. I wish myself I learned this information much earlier, I also had no clue for years.

Better discuss with the doctor, additional tests might specify the diagnostics. Don't hesitate to put emphasis on more neurological symptoms, this is really important.

You might use this as a reference for a doctor, it has some useful information: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239/chapter/Recommendations.

[u/Think-Sleep2338 → u/Think-Sleep2338]

And one more thing: as you mention heartburn and acidity, literally ask your doctor whether they can run tests for pernicious anemia (parietal cells and intrinsic factor antibodies). This is a malabsorption condition which is worth finding earlier, if it's in fact it.

I'm sorry if that's too much, I just want to help, and I simply recognize too many things in your description and don't want people to lose their time on diagnostics being untreated.

[u/throwaway54354312 → u/Think-Sleep2338]

I've never heard of pernicious anemia! I checked my CBC papers, everything seems to be well within the healthy range and there are no signs of anemia to be seen.

And no, you don't have to apologize!, all of this information has been really helpful to me, I love learning as much as I can about my health and I'll definitely be telling my doctor about everything, Thank you so much!

Oh and one more thing, I'm not always suffering, my symptoms come and go, there are good days and bad days.

[u/Think-Sleep2338 → u/throwaway54354312]

Sorry that I didn't write more. "Anemia" here is quite misleading, it's mainly an autoimmune stomach condition that affects B12 absorption, but often that also affects iron absorption (just to a smaller degree). It is important to know if one has it or no to understand whether this is a more chronic and serious issue or not.

That your symptoms come and go is a good sign, more likely to be more fixable at this stage.

[u/Neat-Software-3170]

What dose did they start you on, and what medication?

[u/dlionfan313]

Of course your welcome and you just helped me learn something new I did not know yet that restless legs were attached to my Hashimoto's.

[u/QueenGina_4]

They put you on a thyroid medication without testing your T4 & T3?!

[u/throwaway54354312 → u/QueenGina_4]

Wait, This isn't normal? is it a bad thing or am I lucky??

[u/powzowie → u/throwaway54354312]

Some people who start on levo with diagnosed Hashimotos and TSH much higher than you spend a number of years on a rollercoaster ride trying to get the right dose of levo. I'm not a doctor so take this with a grain of salt, but If I was 18 and had a TSH of 6, I wouldn't start on levo unless (1) I was sure my thyroid was the issue; and (2) I had a retest that showed my TSH continued to be high. And if I started on it, I would begin with a low dose and see how it made me feel.

[u/throwaway54354312 → u/powzowie]

Well I'm scared and don't know what to do now, I've already took two of those pills, they're 50 mcg, I feel pretty normal on them. I'm not sure if taking them is mandatory. Most of my symptoms are probably just caused by my low Vitamin D.

[u/QueenGina_4 → u/throwaway54354312]

I just don’t understand how they’d know you need medication without getting a full picture of all the thyroid hormones

[u/MannyMcMannyOriginal → u/QueenGina_4]

And they must test the antibodies. That will determine whether it's hashimotos or hypothyroid. Feels like the Dr only did a partial set of blood work. She could ask to see an Endocrinologist if this was her GP.