Boderline thyroid result what next ?

[Lonelybunny]

I've had my thyroid tested due to having a lot of hair loss . My test has come back borderline. I had this a few years ago but the GP said no need for treatment of its borderline. Now I need to go back and discuss this result with a GP. However after looking up symptoms for interactive thyroid I have a lot of them . I am always tired , feel cold, I've had terrible depression and anxiety which has led to panic attacks and also weight gain . What do I do if the dr refuses me meds again as it's borderline ? I can't go on mainly the hair loss is scaring me. Anyone have any experience with a borderline result ?

[ghostonthecanvas]

I have the same. No meds but tired. Cold. Thin hair. I have low iron too so that is treated rather than the thyroid. Similar symptoms. I wonder if its common practice to just keep aneye on levels? I get a blood test every tthree months. Been borderline for a long time. I miss my hair . Very thin now.

[Lonelybunny]

I can't believe they haven't given you anything , I'm going to demand something ! I'm not staying like this , the depression too is no fun or the panic attacks :(

[Lonelybunny]

My iron levels came back fine

[RockinD]

‘borderline’ is a fairly meaningless term as your GP is very unlikely to know what an optimal result would be for you.

Can I suggest that you ask for a copy of your results, together with the reference ranges. Then you will be able to see where your results come in the range. Ranges differ from area to area, but as a rule of thumb, your TSH needs to be below 2 and your FT4 and FT3 (if they’ve been done) in the top third of the range. If antibodies have been tested, TPO or TgAB, any positive result is an indicator of autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s Disease) which should be treated whether or not any of the others are actually out of range.

You might find it useful to look at a book by Dr Toft called Understanding Thyroid Disease. This is published by the BMA, which makes it rather difficult for GPs to argue with. Dr Toft uses a narrower reference range for TSH and has just come out publicly and on the record saying that TSH is not the most reliable test, which many people have known for a long time.

The bottom line of course is the question to the GP – if it’s not my thyroid, what is it that is causing all these symptoms?

Good luck. Please keep us informed and you might want to join us on the support thread.

[Lonelybunny]

Thank you , I will
Let you know the outcome

[prettyanddainty]

Have you had your ferritin level checked?

[prettyanddainty]

What does borderline mean? as in what are the numbers for borderline?

[Orchidlady]

tbhlonely if you are borderline why so desperate to take medication. I have to take 200 mg each as have a massively under active and bloody hate it taking pills each day Have you thought about trying kelp? Maybe hair loss is not connected, this has never been an issue with me

[Lonelybunny]

Well hair loss is a symptom Nd having bad depression and panic attacks and feeling pretty crap all day looking after 3 kids and working full time I would try anything. My dad has a under active thyroid and suffers with bad fatigue and depression and can't even get out of bed , don't want to end up like that. I just want a normal thyroid is that much to ask after being boderline for 7 years :-/

[Lonelybunny]

Don't know the numbers yet will ask gp

[RockinD]

Get the numbers and we'll go from there.

As for hating taking pills - better that than the eventual result of having a severely underactive thyroid...

[Orchidlady]

But lonely if you take too much thyroxine this would only increase your anxiety. I would suggest if you are working full time and looking after 3 kids, you are bound to be knackered. Hope you can find out the reason to hair loss, that must be truely dreadful. I am no DR but would think if you are borderline UA it may well be something else causing this. I suggested Kelp as a possible

[RockinD]

Kelp has its place, but it's an absolute no-no if you have auto-immune thryoid disease and we don't know whether that is the case here.

I've taken it in the past and it did give me lots of hair regrowth, but it also messed with my TSH.

[Lonelybunny]

GP phoned she said it is boderline but she doesn't want to start medication and to re test in 8 weeks , I'm a bit peeved as I'm sure my thyroid hasn't been right for several years but I am going to retest .

[doyouwantfrieswiththat]

Am borderline hypothyroid and on thyroxine on recommendation of the endocrinologist who removed half my thyroid, GP was not going to medicate based on my results. In my experience thyroid dysfunction is poorly understood by non-specialists. My symptoms were same as yours but also included irregular/absent periods, joint pains & skin disorders. All improved when treated with thyroxine.