Sick of underactive thyroid

[UndertheCedartree]

I have had issues with my thyroid function for about 15 years. Just the odd time when younger but in the last 3 years it has been picked up a couple of times and has just shown up on a blood test again.

Has anyone else had a thyroid that becomes underactive then recovers. It appears to be a response to illness. I am always just monitored when it happens but I really want some treatment this time as it makes me feel so awful. Has anyone else been given medication in this situation. Should I push for it?

I got an endocrinology referral 18 months ago and still on waiting list. My GP had to raise my Levothyroxine level to 175 a day which she really did not want to do without me seeing endo dept first but length of wait meant she has given in and upped my medication.

This has been very enlightening to me as I’ve just had my latest results back and I’m outside normal range again and been asked to retest in 12 months! My first test was about 2 and a half years ago so I’m a bit cheesed off that this is being allowed to run and run, but thanks to the advice on this thread from @JustUseTheDoorSanta I have asked them ( well, the non clinically trained woman who answered the phone) to refer me to an endocrinologist, so I’m waiting to hear back from the doctor now.

Tell me about it, I've had problems with my thyroid/pituitary gland being underactive for the last 65 years. I have hypopituitaryism.

@Iamkmackered1979

I have no thyroid at all I have had hypothyroidism all my life picked up fairly late so I was quite poorly as a baby. Thyroid issues run in family sister then hag thyroid cancer and they scanned me as concerned re link that’s when they found out I haven’t got one.

No endo, they will not refer. Despite me being on a large dose I still feel tired, cold and am fat and losing weight is almost impossible. Drs just say levels are within range, rather than listening and looking at the patient in front of them. Sad really there’s loads of people wandering about feeling awful with this, whose drs don’t really care how they feel. I hope you get better care op, I’m due a blood test soon so will check levels and take things further as I’m fed up feeling crap.

I'm so sorry to hear that. I read the NICE guidelines and it specifically said the patient and their symptoms must be looked at when deciding on treatment not just the blood test. I really hope you can get the support you need.

@Crankley

Tell me about it, I've had problems with my thyroid/pituitary gland being underactive for the last 65 years. I have hypopituitaryism.

I'm so sorry to hear that.

My underactive thyroid was all over the place for the first couple of years after it was diagnosed. I was on every dose from 25mg to 200mg.

It eventually stabilised and I was on 175mg for years, then it got worse and I'm now on 200mg.

I should add I did get treatment after the second lot of bloods
I pushed for 75 of levo from 50 by asking if it would do any harm if my TSH was lower then 4, they said no, so I said well can I try it. TSH dropped to below 2 and they've kept me on it
I don't feel any different though!