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General health

Could this be Thyroid? If not, What is Wrong with Meeeeee!!

32 replies

Earthymama · 03/07/2013 10:52

Hi I am at the end of my tether, I said to DP this morning that I cannot face living like this any longer.
I have long-term arthritis, psoriasis, long-term sinusitis. Arthritis and sinusitis make me feel very ill on occasion. I could constantly be on antibiotics as sinuses/ upper chest is always productive(sorry, TMI) Fighting the pain is always part if my life. I take meds and supplements, would do anything to sort my health.

I eat healthily and am reasonably active though I don't exercise as such.

I work with young children, it's tiring and demanding and quite isolating, though I have an active social life and a fabulous family.

I get SO tired, I pick up every virus from the children, I find I rocket between being ok, I work, cook , garden, socialise, sleep 7 hours.
Then I collapse, can't do anything but function, work, eat a little then go to bed, sleep around the clock, work, eat a little then go to bed, sleep around the clock, and so on.

I went to the doctors last week and they did blood tests, which have come back clear. I should be glad but I am devastated. What the hell is wrong with me? I did some reading and realise I have all these symptoms but blood tests say no.

Symptoms of underactive thyroid can include:

extreme tiredness
weight gain, but with a poor appetite
feeling the cold easily
dry and/or pale skin
coarse, thinning hair and brittle nails
weak and sore muscles
puffy eyes
memory loss and poor concentration
constipation
heavy, irregular or prolonged menstrual periods, if you’re a woman
tingling in your hands and arms
depression
poor sex drive
slow heart rate

If you haven't passed out through boredom, has any one got any ideas or experience or, hopefully, advice?

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Earthymama · 03/07/2013 13:27

Bump for poorly mee!! Off out now, please some-one, any ideas? Wink

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 03/07/2013 13:30

All those symptoms point to problems with the thyroid gland.

What blood tests did you have done?. Some GPs are actually not up to speed at all when it comes to problems with the thyroid gland.

This is a good website on the thyroid gland and problems associated with it being over or underactive:-

www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/index.html

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frustratedashell · 03/07/2013 13:31

Could well be under active thyroid. Tests can show you to be at the lower end of the normal range but you can still feel awful. This happened to me. I've been on thyroxine for years. Recently had the dosage increased, after nagging the doctor. Time will tell. I would go back to the doctor.

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Earthymama · 03/07/2013 13:54

Thank you, I feel as though I am going mad!! I had an aunt and great aunt with thyroid problems so it isn't an outside possibility is it?

I am trying to set up two groups and I feel as though I will just let everyone down on my off days.


Thank you so much for responding, I will book an appt for tomorrow after looking on that website.

I am a bit Blush at my own Googling as my Nan always had the Family Medi cal Encyclopaedia on her lap and a poor me look on her face!!

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PostBellumBugsy · 03/07/2013 13:59

Another very good website is www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

Will help you get the right questions to put to your GP and also understand exactly what any test results mean.

Sorry to hear your are feeling so unwell.

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dottyaboutstripes · 03/07/2013 15:00

I have those symptoms pretty much and was convinced a thyroid problem would be diagnosed but blood test was normal and it turns out I'm very anaemic. But you say you've had bloods done and they are normal.
I'm wondering if thyroid tests can come back normal but in fact there's a problem?

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frustratedashell · 03/07/2013 23:36

Yes dotty they can. There is a "normal" range but if you are at the lower end you can be under active for you, if you get what I mean. Thyroid problems do tend to run in families. I was checked for anemia and it came back negative. Good luck OP

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Earthymama · 04/07/2013 01:20

Just wanted to thank you all
Good night ThanksThanks

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Earthymama · 04/07/2013 01:27

I am sat here in tears after looking at the first site recommended.
It describes me to a tee!!
I need to take some time to read this and the other site properly so I can argue my case.
By the way, my mother had pernicious anaemia for many years.

Again, my thanks.

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digerd · 04/07/2013 07:29

Good luck OP. Hope the Dr can get it sorted for you asap.

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VegPatchLurker · 04/07/2013 07:32

Hi OP.

I also have psoriatic arthritis and 2 under 4.

Have a look at spoons theory. Works for me.

Best of luck.

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Earthymama · 08/07/2013 10:28

Well I had appt with GP.
I am sat in the park in tears.

He basically shrugged his shoulders and said
Definitely no thyroid problem
No anaemia
No link between psoriasis and arthritis
I am over weight. I explained I have a really poor appetite and cannot eat a full adult meal in a cafe but still font lose weight

Then said we might have to consider psychological reasons as I had a breakdown about 15 years ago.

I don't know what to go. Just accept I can work and sleep And that's my life.

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feedmewotsits · 08/07/2013 10:53

Earthymama

Have you seen the same GP each time? Is it worth asking for a second opinion? Your results could be borderline for underactive thyroid or borderline for issues with iron levels and you might be experiencing symptoms without technically being below the 'normal' benchmarks.

You can also still have low iron levels without technically being anaemic. I'm not anaemic but I have had low ferritin - which is connected with levels of stored iron in the body's cells. This went completely undiagnosed by my GP despite numerous tests who kept telling me repeatedly 'you're not anaemic - your iron levels are fine.' It wasn't until I saw a private trichologist to find out why my hair was falling out that it was picked up. Basically the NHS considered any ferritin level measure between 15-150 normal (mine was 23) so wouldn't accept there was a problem - whereas I've since read various medical articles that say that patients can actually start experiencing symptoms when levels dip below 40. Hence the GP was insistent there was nothing wrong when really my system was running on empty. I had lots of similar symptoms to you.

www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ferritin/

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Earthymama · 08/07/2013 16:28

Excuse rubbish typos. Was blinded with tears!HmmWink

DP has mopped up and promised to help me research and look at alternate treatments.

We are Woo so not a big step.

Feed thank you will check out that site properly.

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feedmewotsits · 08/07/2013 22:17

Good luck - sending your positive thoughts...

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Gruntfuttocks · 08/07/2013 22:21

Please go and see a different GP and get another view on all this. There IS a possible link between psoriasis and arthritis, and you have a strong family history of autoimmune disorders, so there is a pretty good chance that is what is going on in some form. Calling it a psychological problem is such a cop-out. If the GP can't sort you out, ask for a referral to a rheumatologist.

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Willdoitinaminute · 08/07/2013 22:43

Ask your GP to check your prolactin levels. Increasing levels can cause many of your symptoms particularly fatigue ,loss of sex drive and period problems. Its not a test done routinely since prolactinomas are relatively uncommon. Mine was diagnosed after 5 years of problems gradually getting worse.

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Willdoitinaminute · 08/07/2013 22:48

sorry posted too soon
It is thought to be of an autoimmune origin.
When I start to feel like I can't be bothered with everything I have levels checked and usually see the levels have steadily been increasing. Fortunately for me the treatment is a few months of medication to bring the levels down.

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WouldBeHarrietVane · 08/07/2013 22:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Earthymama · 09/07/2013 10:24

Thanks for your posts. I switched off yesterday, my preferred coping mechanism. Also I had eaten Salad for 3 days, having forgotten until gently reminded by DP that it sets my IBS off. That and the stress, I guess.

I was knocked for 6 yesterday; this GP has seen DP and I through think and thin!! Maybe I was the latest 50 odd year old, whining I am tired and he thought get a grip.

Anyway, I will go back to the GP who sent me for tests in the first instance and I will print out all the ideas you have given me.

Do you know what, though? I have a 1st class degree and yet the brain fog gets so bad that I struggle to do research etc.

I am part of two movements I care passionately about and I find myself sleeping when I find the time to study, to write. I can't look after my grandchildren as often as I want too. I have been socially active and I am paying the price, I look awful and my skin is playing up, as is my arthritis.

I will shut up now as I am making myself cry. Blush

Here's hoping you all get some t ime relaxing today i th yWineBrewThanks,
I do SO appreciate your support and input.

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WouldBeHarrietVane · 09/07/2013 14:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

newestbridearound · 09/07/2013 16:01

How long have you been feeling like this? Is fatigue one of your biggest symptoms? I'm wondering if tests for thyroid and anaemia etc are definitely in the normal range- and do see another gp for reassurance, and ask for copies of blood tests to see how close you are to the limits- whether it might be post viral fatigue or the onset of ME/CFS?

Mine started so gradually that I never realised how many symptoms I was actually having, as they would appear randomly and a few days later disappear. The fact that you say you are ok for a bit, then you basically collapse and are barely functioning before feeling a bit better again just makes me wonder. Brain fog is another huge symptom of it- not being able to remember things, feeling like you can't find the right words or you are looking at the world through a bubble. Like you I have a first class degree but I spend most of my time muddling things up or desperately needing to sleep!
If all the tests continue to come back negative I would definitely ask your gp about it, because if it does turn out to be that then the earlier you rest and pace the better.

Hopefully it won't be and it will be something treatable, but definitely worth bearing in mind. I hope you feel better soon- whatever it is I know how exhausting it is to be so exhausted and ill, and it isn't fun x

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Oblomov · 09/07/2013 16:13

You have my total sympathy.
I feel just the same as you. And keep being told that I am fine. But I am not fine, I feel terrible.

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cocolepew · 09/07/2013 17:15

I'm just back from the Drs i was convinced I had an under aciver thyroid but she says I'm not even borderline. I'm now being tested for Fibromyalgia and my b12 tested. Don't be fobbed of. My Dr is new to me and she says that she will work her way through everything until she gets some where.
I think I'm right in saying that the b12 is related to pernicious (sp) anaemia.
Good luck.

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RubySparks · 10/07/2013 12:26

Also ask for blood test for coeliac disease - similar symptoms to IBS and also leaves you very tired, it is in same autoimmune 'family' as hypothyroidism and some people also get a rash, often on elbows. Hope you get some answers soon, vit d is also worth testing for.

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