Underactive thyroid symptoms

[CrimsonCountess]

Not really sure what I'm hoping for from this thread, maybe just someone to tell me I'm not going mad. Or maybe there's something else I haven't considered

I have PCOS which I've been trying to sort through diet, exercise and supplements and it seems to be going well. My GP has been really good with this, they regularly check my bloods and hormones as I've been so ill. But now I'm starting to think it may be something else. I have 10 of the 13 most common signs of an underactive thyroid.

tiredness
being sensitive to cold
weight gain
depression
muscle aches and weakness
muscle cramps
dry and scaly skin
brittle hair and nails
loss of libido (sex drive)
irregular periods or heavy periods

I know some of these symptoms overlap with PCOS, but my hormones aren't that far out of whack to be causing everything else. It's mostly now just high testosterone and insulin resistance. The last few times they've done my bloods they've checked my thyroid function as well and they keep saying it's fine and can't be that. I feel like I'm going mad, it's really affecting my life as I feel so awful all the time. I'm so tired, like exhausted not even just a bit worn out. I normally can't make it through the day without having a nap

If it's not that then I don't know what else it could be or what to ask them for

Hi @CrimsonCountess I'm sorry you're feeling so awful. Have you downloaded the NHS app or do you have access to your blood results, from your GP surgery? This is a good starting point as you can see if your Thyroid results are within normal range. Sometimes they are signed off as being normal when actually, they're not.

Have they checked B12, ferritin & folate levels?

I would go back with you list of symptoms above and ask for more investigations. It can take years for hypothyroidism to be diagnosed because Dr's tend to focus purely on blood results but then don't always treat until very abnormal. I have an underactive Thyroid & it took a while with lots of persistence, along the way. A specialist I saw advised my TSH is best kept between 1-2, when we were trying to get pregnant. It can cause infertility if not treated too.

Do your research & go back to the GP. If you feel it's affecting your ability to go about your everyday functions & work, you need to tell them. I would be quite forthright & say I seem to have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Then ask what they would advise. Maybe more bloods for Thyroid antibodies are indicated.

Good luck. I hope you get sorted.

@Whatliesbeneath707 I do have the app but there isn't anything that shows the results. Is there a certain part of the app I need to look at? B12 & Ferritin are apparently both fine, folate was previously low but I take tablets for that and it's now at a good level. I have heard other people say that the NHS will often say that levels are fine when actually they're not, so I wasn't sure whether to keep pushing or not

Try and get copies of your results, they GP will say its fine even if its in a borderline zone of "subclinical", or slightly underactive but not enough to start thyroxine. It's worth having a look at the nice guidelines, as subclinical can be treated if it looks like it's causing symptoms. I am subclinical, and also have thyroid antibodies so have been trying thyroxine to see if it helps. Thyroid antibodies as I understand it are the body attacking the thyroid, so if you have them it means you are likely to see a change I thyroid function in the future.

Also with vitamin levels, it's worth getting the actual results. My ferritin is always within normal but only just, so I tend to feel ropey if I'm not taking supplements. Same with B12.

I’ve just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and didn’t have hardly any of those symptoms. I thought it was the menopause and saw the doctor due to crippling anxiety. The only other symptom I had was tiredness, no aches or anything. I did have 2 blood tests to confirm it. Are you old enough for it to be peri menopause or menopause??

@Muezza my last blood test was last week and I'm just waiting for the results now so I'll ask for a copy as well rather than them just telling me the results

@YouveCatToBeKittenMe I'm 28 so although it's unlikely I guess it's not impossible

Research vitamin D deficiency as well.

All those symptoms can be caused by that. Although I suspect thyroid - in range is not always optimal for everyone. I need to keep my TSH at or around 1 to feel well which is way below what is considered in range.

@CrimsonCountess please don’t put the idea of having an underactive thyroid into any doctor’s head. I felt like you and was put onto T4 immediately, then they kept on upping the dose and I became more and more unwell. Then they added T3, followed by just T3, after a private ultrasound and 12 endocrinologists later, NHS, private in UK and abroad, finally told all those meds have messed me up for life. If it does turn out to be your thyroid, please think about going down the natural route first and read Hypothyroid Mum. Thyroxine is handed out way to easily and quickly these days, please be careful!

@NannyGythaOgg how would I find out if I am deficient in that? Would it be another test or would it show on blood tests?

The doctor can do it as part of the range of blood tests but many don't - (and, I've heard, some laboratories also decline to test but don't know that first hand)

You can also have it done as a private blood test.

Most people in the UK are at least mildly deficient in Vit D as we get insufficient sun for significant parts of the year and wear effective sun screen often in summer. Vit D is another area where being 'in range' is not enough for most people and to feel well, they need to be in the upper half of the range.

Like many of these things though it can be contentious, which is why I advise doing your own research. I take 4000iu per day year round, except when on holiday in a sunny area. Vitamin D experts say that is fine - some other doctors say not and that you can overdose (You can - but it's very difficult to)

Just putting Vitamin D into Google has brought up 4 'top' stories. 2 promoting its use and 2 saying we don't need supplements.

I know that my mood has been more stable and my ankles and knees that used to click constantly; no longer do. And that's enough for me. (Oh and I'm 67 and have a strong family history of needing joint replacement and I don't have any issues with any of my joints)

If you come back as having underactibe thyroid please ask for an antibody test to check for hashimotos disease

You are kidding? Most people struggle to get diagnosed because doctors just put it down to them being overweight