Hypothyroidism, TSH results in the normal range, but GP won't budge

[Baloo1]

Hello everyone,


I recently had a thyroid function test and only TSH was tested. My results were 2.75, which the GP explained was in the normal range.

However, I have so many of the symptoms typical to hypothyroidism I can't even count: tiredness, thinning hair, pain and stifness in my joints, (complete) loss of libido, being lethargic.. After having the test results, I learned that actually 2.75 would be considered hypothyroid in e.g. the US and Germany, but in the UK the normal range goes up to 4.5.

I was wondering if anyone could advise me on this? I really want the GP to do further tests and start the meds if need be. This is really starting to affect my married life, as I haven't been "up for it" for two years now (I posted about this on the relationships-board).

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

[sashh]

Lots of other things have those symptoms too. If you have hypothyroidism your TSH goes up and your thyroxine levels go down.

Ask your GP for more blood tests, complete blood count, white cell count and look into vitamin D and B deficiancies.

[fridakahlo]

In order to get an accurate diagnosis on thyroid problems, having your tsh tested is not enough. You also need your T3 and your T4 looked at.
There is a great website about thyroid problems, something like thyroid.org.uk, if you google it should come up.
And you should get the other things tested as well.

[MrsZoidberg]

I sympathise. Same symptoms and my TSH is 3.7. Dr just dismissed it.

[HazleNutt]

Just checked my French results and apparently here the normal range is 0.390-3.5.
I agree with sashh, a lot of things can have similar symptoms, so ask for more tests.

[PostBellumBugsy]

This is a really good website to give you further information, so you can ask your GP for more tests: //www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

[RockinD]

It is quite possible that you are hypo with a TSH at 2.75. That may be within range, but it is higher than it should be. However, as someone else has already said, you need to have your FT4 and FT3 checked as well, together with TPO and TgAB antibodies to get a full picture.

While you?re there, you should also be asking for Vitamin B12 and folate to be tested, along with ferritin and Vitamin D.

All these tests are available on the NHS ? don?t allow your doctor to fob you off.

Useful websites include Thyroid UK on Health Unlocked and www.thyroid-disease.org.uk

Good luck, and keep posting and asking questions.

D

[Baloo1]

Hello everyone and many thanks for your replies!

I made a new appointment with the GP today and didn't get it until two weeks so should give me plenty of time to do some more research..

I basically had the TSH tested along with other tests, which so far as I can remember included iron and vitamin D-levels. I had gone to see the doctor, not only because of the symptoms that might indicate a hypoactive thyroid, but also because I have had a problem with my right elbow now for two and a half months where it hurts in certain angles and I cannot straighten my arm.

I queried the doctor also about the fact that I had a re-occurring uveitis (inflammation in the eye) for about a year and general joint and back pains. I have now been clear from uveitis for a year, but the joint stifness and pains still continue along with the other things like thinning hair, tiredness, difficulty losing the excess weight etc.

Apparently my test results were all normal. However, I will have a look on all the websites you have suggested and I hope I will be able to get to the bottom of this although I feel exhausted at the thought of having to fight my way through..

[ovariantryst]

Also look at hypopituitarism, especially if you had a bleed during or after your last birth. The symptoms are the same as the thyroid function is affected, but it also has some extra problems such as difficulty healing and inability to fight off infections, caused by low adrenal function...

[2old2beamum]

You have listed so many of the symptoms I have. Went to GP who thought it may be hypothyroidism who bless him arranged an array of blood tests.TSH and FSH came back normal but Calcium high and Vit d low which either way indicates parathyroid problems. I feel like crap, thinning hair . This can go undedected for yonks. As a nurse I recommend you google (TUTTUT)
HYPERPARATHYROIDISM the Dr Norman Mayo Clinic site as it stresses that under 0.05% is caused by cancer. On this site it gives a check list of symptoms I found it brilliant. If you think I am talking out of my arse please ignore.

[ScottOfTheArseAntics]

I am hypo. I have just been signed of by the Endo and will be 'looked after' by my GP from now on. I was in the other day for an unrelated issue but asked my GP what the practice approach was to managing hypothyroidism if results were in within the reference range but the individual was feeling symptomatic, was there any 'wriggle room' for upping the dose. Her answer was that they like to keep TSH levels at around 0.05 ie the very bottom end of the range. Levothyroxine tablets come in a range of small doses I believe which helps you edge closer to a lower TSH level without going hyper.

Perhaps find another GP?

[Baloo1]

Hello all again and thanks for your replies!

I've been reading up on all the information on the websites everyone suggested and feel quite overwhelmed now. First off, I'm now determined to get the T4 and T3 levels checked as well along with the antibodies and I also hope to have a discussion with the GP about my symptoms. As I'm writing this, I am exhausted even having slept 10 hours last two nights and a two hour nap yesterday with DS. I will soon start losing money with this, as I need to work evenings and DS naptime:(..

I was just wondering, I read on one of the websites about this "natural" medicine (desiccated thyroid hormone) Armour, which was previously prescribed, before the synthetic hormone replacement medicines became available. I was wondering if anyone had been prescribed this instead of the Levothyroxine e.g? And when do doctors prescribe this instead?

Also I was wondering, if instead of me falling within the reference range on all the tests the GP starts medication due to me being symptomatic, does anyone know if this might interfere with breastfeeding? Of course, I will discuss all this with the GP and to be honest, I would be surprised if she even listens to me long enough to get to this point in the discussion, but I'm just curious..

[RockinD]

Welcome to my world. You don't need to be a biochemist, but it certainly helps!

People on NDT swear by it, and yes, it is available on the NHS on a 'named patient' basis, but most docs don't know about it and/or won't prescribe it and of course most people do fine on either synthetic thyroxine, synthetic T3 (liothyronine) or a combination of the two. The internet forums are inevitably full of people who have problems, not the ones who do fine on the standard treatment.

See what tests you can get and go from there, although everything mentioned on this thread is (a) available on the NHS and (b) relevant to your symptoms.

D

[Baloo1]

Hm, yes I have decided not to became hysterical with the discussions going on on the various forums I have read. I realise that even with the vast amount of information available, I am still not a trained doctor and would not like to go too far in my self-diagnosis:).. But it is reassuring to see that despite my "normal" test results, this might actually not all be in my head..

[Baloo1]

I will try.. Actually, the doctor, who saw my results was not the same one, who ordered them in the first place so I have now made an appointment with the first doctor I saw, but I'm not very hopeful, as she only ordered the TSH to be tested, so I guess she didn't care to be very thorough..

When you were first prescribed the treatment how long did it take to start feeling better? I understand from what I have read that it can take several months to find the dose that makes you feel normal again.. Also, if anyone has been strugling with weight issues, did the medication help with trying to lose the weight? I've put on about 40-50 pounds over the past 4 or 5 years and find that no matter what I do, I really struggle trying to get rid off it:(.

[Baloo1]

*of it :)...

[Beckymedic]

Totally fed-up with being fobbed off by GP. TSH 4.1 (upper end of range 4.5 in UK) so NORMAL! So why do I feel SO tired, blah blah all of the time?!
Symptoms seem to be irrelevant it's almost rage computer says NO approach!

[clarella]

It's a mine field, you have my sympathies.

I agree with rockin - vit d, b12, folate and ferritin check needed. These need to be decent - mid to upper ranges - for you to feel ok.

Buy the bmj thyroid book by Anthony toft and show him the page where it says "most patients feel better with Tsh in bottom end of range and t4 in upper" and ask to trial an extra 25 or at least 25 alternate days.

Double check how your taking your meds - consistently and apart from any vitamins etc.

Check nice guidelines re ttc - I think tsh has to be below 2 or 2.5. Print off and show.

[clarella]

You'll be fine re bf

[clarella]

Ummmmm - uveitis - Ankylosing spondylitis?

Would explain aches and pains and tiredness. Autoimmune too. Look at the national AS society.

I only suggest it as I'm waiting for s rheum appt to rule it out for me - I've not had uveitis but it's classically linked.
Un mn hugs

[InanimateCarbonRod]

2.7 is not in the normal range. Anything above 2 should be treated. I spent nearly ten years trying to get a doctor to listen to me. Go back and fight!

[Beckymedic]

Not been diagnosed yet so not on thyroxine but TSH 4.1 and GP won't prescribe anything

[clarella]

Have you had antibody check becky?

[clarella]

Baloo1 they order Tsh, then if that's out of range they automatically test the t4

[clarella]

Baloo, yes it can take a good while, plus you do need good ferritin etc to help with all the muscle regrowth and kick starting your system.

I'd focus on some mild cardio to improve getting oxygen to everything and even some light weights. It'll be tough at first though. A gentle swim perhaps. I have found over the years regular exercise is really necessary to keep everything ticking over at its best, plus recovery from any dips is easier. Weight might take a while - it can often be partly oedema too hence why cardio is helpful.

But it's REALLY hard to do that without everything at the right level. it takes time. T3 is much quicker but more volatile. Lots more people are managing to get it but afaik they often prove their t3 doesn't change with a t4 increase via a sympathetic endo.