to be disappointed with normal blood test results?

[Cambam2010]

Underactive thyroid runs in my family. I show many of the symptoms of having an underactive thyroid - always cold, always tired, foggy head, carpal tunnel, weight gain, constipation, aches and pains throughout my body.

Whenever I have a thyroid function test the results come back normal and my GP will not carry out a thyroid antibody test because everything else is normal (despite a previous test many years ago showing I had thyroid antibodies). I feel so down about this so I paid for a private blood test that included antibody testing. The results have all come back within the 'normal' range.

I'm now disappointed because although I don't want to be ill, I was hoping for a diagnosis and treatment to make me feel human again and now I have no more ideas as to why I feel so bad.

Katy that's really interesting regarding the levels of vitB12.
My GP uses the 180 limit....
I'm wondering if I could get the vitB12 injection privately with a level of 200...

And btw, there you only get diagnosed with ME when all your blood tests are NORMAL....

There is still so much not known about health and the western symptom/treat approach is all well and good if you present with specific symptoms. With such non specific issues it could be due to so many underlying health/lifestyle/environmental/genetic factors. Agree with pp re published blood results. They are based on averages and factors such as age/gender/other health factors does not equate to symptom-free for that individual.

I do believe we need to have trust in our professionals though and answers aren't always clear.

I'm sorry to hear you feel so poorly OP - it's frustrating being in limbo.

Thyroid seems to be a funny thing - I had a blood test which showed I was borderline underactive but I have no obvious signs - partner had routine blood test which revealed severely underactive thyroid- GP re-tested because couldn't believe it could be so low without major symptoms. So it seems a very individual thing.
Incidentally, while it's obviously a good idea to lead a healthy lifestyle it doesn't guarantee anything! I have high blood pressure despite doing everything "right" - it does get annoying when people think you must be doing something "wrong" when you get ill.

try to be happy and positive that you are NOT ill and are in full health. you shouldnt hope to be unwell but be happy and focus on living a good healty life :-)

This is terrible advice. I have an underactive thyroid. When my medication is dosed correctly I am a normal, high-functioning person. When it isn't, I can't get out of bed some mornings. No amount of focusing and trying to be happy is going to help me; it's a hormonal imbalance. I nearly lost my job because I couldn't think straight.

OP, please have tests done (privately if need be and if you can afford it) for Ferritin levels, anaemia, Vit D, as thyroid issues can present in a similar way. If these are clear, and mindful of your family history, go back to the GP / a different GP and push for a small dose of levothyroxine. See how you feel 2-3 months down the line on that.

As others have said, "normal" is irrelevant. If you're feeling like death warmed up, something is wrong.

I have Hashimoto's and feel lousy if my TSH is anywhere above 1.0. I was immediately tested for thyroid antibodies, and put on Levo, but have since switched to desiccated thyroid, which is a godsend (although I believe it's tricky to come by in the UK; I now live in the U.S.).

You do sound hypothyroid. Can you look for an integrative health specialist? That's the kind of doctor I see.

Meantime, try and go gluten-free, which is enormously helpful if you do have autoimmune thyroiditis. I also suggest that you check out the website: Stop the Thyroid Madness. Good luck.

*dessicated

Your symptoms sound very similar to mine when my B12 levels were very low. I'd echo the posters suggesting you ask for that to be tested.

There is, I think, a second B12 test that is about how the B12 is used

I am much better supplementing B12 & Vit D, I'd like to supplement Iron & folate too - but iron makes me throw up (liquid) or passes through undigested (tablets & capsules). I had some fab Folate liquid once but the surgery can't remember what it was & can only offer tablets atm which I don't digest

By B12 count is enormous but I still supplement as it makes me feel better, placebo? Don't care!! it works for me

I also have untreated ME/CFS/FM/IBS and I'm in a lot of pain - my brother lives abroad and has diagnosed RA is treated and manages his pain well

One other thing - may be irrelevant but in case it helps you or someone reading - some foods are good for your thyroid, some aren't. If, like me, you have a repetitive diet, make sure you aren't large quantities of anything harmful to thyroid function.

YANBU. At the end of last year I felt terrible. I would drag myself into work every day and could barely keep my eyes open by 2.30pm. Then when I got home even watching TV was too hard. Then on the weekend I'd spend hours sleeping to try and feel human again. My performance at work was slipping and I promised I'd go to the GP to get my symptoms investigated. Everything was normal and I was disappointed. I wanted nothing more than to be able to tell work that the reason I'd felt so Ill was anaemia or a thyroid issue. That it was amazing I'd been able to function at all with those results but some I had some tablets to take and I'd be back to my old self in no time.

Instead it was attributed to stress and I stupidly refused to get signed off.

Only now I'm feeling so much better do I realise how unfit for work I was.

You definitely sound hypothyroid to me, and if you have tested positive for antibodies in the past then you DO have hypothyroid, no question.

The trouble is that the UK is really backwards about treating it. I'm an expat in the Middle East and I have an American doctor and she understands that if my TSH goes above 1.0 then I feel like crap. Although she treats me, rather than my blood results.

Can you find a private doctor who actually understands the issue? You need to be treated. Properly.

I have an appointment with my GP next week. I will ask her to go through the results and suggest any others that can be done to explain why I feel so drained.

My private blood test results:
Ferritin 31.5
B12 436
Serum Folate 21.93
(all within the labs normal range)

bluetongue I'm fortunate that my work is quite relaxed because sleeping on the desk is not very professional but I can barely hold my head up when the wave of tiredness hits.

Emotionally, I'm the happiest that I have been in many years. I have a wonderful partner and a lovely DS. I have no finance worries and do not feel like I am depressed. The thing bringing my down is the shear exhaustion.

I was going to recommend Stop the Thyroid Madness too. A good endocrinologist will look at the patient as a whole, and not rely on blood tests. You sound hypothyroid to me. Check out NHS Unlocked forum and look for Thyroid UK. Very informative.

What is your TSH? You need that below 2. "Normal" in UK is considered below 4-ish but that's a pile of shite TBH

Totally second the gluten free. You will be told there is no link but that is also a pile of shite!

I feel strongly about this issue

Roonerspism

my results were TSH 2.01, T4 Total 73, Free T4 13.65, Free T3 3.68, Anti-Thyroidperoxidase abs 29.5, Anti-Thyroglobulin Abs 18.0, B12 436,

and I don't eat bread, pasta etc

I'm fortunate that my work is quite relaxed because sleeping on the desk is not very professional but I can barely hold my head up when the wave of tiredness hits.

I repeatedly took naps on the floor of the client loo in my old law firm Glad back to your GP soon OP.

*you're

Mmmmm interesting.

Any other symptoms? Could you please get Vit D checked? Or has that been done? Do you eat red meat (B12 tests can be dodgy so bear with me)

I'd throw in vitamin D, and an FSH and LH on day 3 of your cycle tbh. I agree with Margot.
You're not too young for perimenopause OP and it is horrible. I'm 40 and about to start HRT but have had similar symptoms for several years. Took a while to figure out what was going on. Menopause is shit, but at least it's treatable.

Hope you figure out what's making you feel so dreadful.

My Vit D has been low in the past and has been treated with an 8 week course of tablets. My last test showed that it was within a normal level but I do take suppliments to try to stop it falling so low again.

I eat all types of meat, veg (not potatoes), no grains. My diet is based on fresh produce with little processed stuff.

Great advice above.

I would get Vit D retested ASAP. Takes a long time to raise levels.

Could you go out in the sun, 20 mins a day?