To go back to the GP and push for a thyroid test?

[BelindaLouisa]

I have previously had thyroid issues, and am a Type 1 diabetic which can apparently make you more prone to thyroid problems.

Over the past 6 weeks or so, my hair has started to noticeably fall out and, despite efforts to the contrary, my weight is sneaking up (admittedly only by a few lbs so I realise it might not be fat.)

I am due an (unrelated) blood test tomorrow and as I have the most uncooperative veins going, would like a thyroid test adding on rather than having to go again, or wait for another appointment etc.

The GP said no as I had a full range of blood tests at the start of Jan so adding a thyroid one to tomorrows isn’t necessary. Instead they suggested a routine appt is made ‘to discuss hair loss’ and the soonest available is in 3 weeks.

AIBU to ask again for the thyroid to be added onto the test tomorrow even though it was ‘at the lower end of normal’ in January? If nothing else, it could surely rule that out if the levels are normal which would be useful for the appointment in 3 weeks? I don’t know how quickly, or slowly, thyroid problems generally arise so any info or experiences would be great.

Thank you!
(Yes, I am partly posting here, rather than in health, for traffic.)

I would definitely ask for a thyroid test. Under active thyroid symptoms can include hair thinning/loss, weight gain, feeling tieed and cold

That was my point when I asked and was told no (not tired or cold though) hence my surprise it was instantly dismissed.

I am going to have to push for it aren’t I? Bugger.

How is your skin? Dry perhaps? Have you noticed you have less body hair these days? I don’t have to shave my legs anymore and my arms have hardly any hair on them at all. My GP agreed those were markers for thyroid dysfunction and tested me.

@BelindaLouisa unless you have another blood test later?? Good luck x

Thyroid is usually checked annually unless medication is changed, so I would guess the GP is going against guidance if they try to book you. It's odd that you said you have had thyroid issues before but are not medicated, what was your TSH? Vitamin D and Iron deficiencies can both also make hair fall out.

I could have another layer, but they often take several attempts plus I’d need the GP appt, then the subsequent wait for the blood test so it could realistically be another 4-6 weeks very easily.

Skin is ok, it’s the hair that’s a big issue. Previously that was the only symptom too.

@GRex Perhaps that’s what the GP was basing it on. I had an overactive one before, can’t remember the levels but it was apparently ‘very high’, but I stopped taking the medication as it made me severely constipated and I also put on over a stone in six weeks - this is particularly bad if you’re diabetic for lots of reasons, not just vanity!
Lots of arguments ensued over the weight going back on (it was hard lost baby weight, took two years, they were insisting it was only lost due to my thyroid). When I next had a test at a general diabetic MOT, the levels were normal.
My thyroid knowledge is limited so I’ve no idea how common it is for them to rectify themselves and then flare up again!

You're not unreasonable, but from my experience they probably won't do it. I am also type 1 diabetic and have an underactive thyroid. I have a strong family history of thyroid problems, and when I became convinced I was underactive, I ended up ordering one of the private postal finger prick blood tests to 'go in armed' as I would have been looking at a wait of over a month for a test at my local GP. FWIW - my hair only started falling out after diagnosis, so your mileage may vary. Low ferritin is a very common cause of hair loss, for example. Best wishes.

By the way, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis can have symptoms of overactive and underactive thyroid.

Did they test your thyroid in January?

What did they test in Jan? TSH or T3/4 as well. If it was TSH that was at the lower end of normal then that is good in terms of potential hypothyroidism - a high TSH would be more worrying as it would indicate your body was trying to produce more thyroxine but your thyroid wasn't responding.

@MujeresLibres thanks for the info. Why do you not think they’ll do it? As a fellow T1 you too may have lengthy experience in having to advocate for yourself! I’ve only had hair loss with the previous thyroid issue (it became quite upsetting) but do realise there are many other potential causes, but thought it would be good to rule that one out.

@RenegadeKeeblerElf I presume both? It was a diabetic annual MOT so everything that needs testing, is. Sorry I don’t know specifics.

If you have an appointment for a blood test the HCA taking your blood will not be able to add another test to the list. You’ll have to get a doctor or nurse practitioner to do that.

I hope you get some answers. What treatment did you have for your previous thyroid problem? It’s notoriously difficult to get the balance just right.

@MatildaTheCat I know they can’t just add it, that’s why I went into the surgery to ask if it could be added, and explained why. The triage GP said no as I had one in Jan.

The previous treatment was carbimazole. I was told that I was extremely overactive which came as a total shock as all I had was hair loss, which I assumed was stress related at the time. The drug was awful, and seemed to cause more problems than the one it was solving!

You could ask for a copy of your thyroid blood results from January, then compare them with the NICE guidelines , I needed to do this , before I could get repeat bloods , even though I have family history
Good luck .

Even if you have a thyroid condition, they’ll tell you your results are ‘normal’ even if you’re suffering FFS.

If you've only just had it checked a few weeks ago, it may be too early to show any change, you should give it at least 3 months between tests I think

If he won’t do it, pay for a private test if you can. That tiny butterfly gland affects everything, every part of you. It’s important to have it tested. 🙂

Thank you for the replies. @MysticCatLady It's just over ten weeks since I had it, and other things, tested. That seems a while to me for something to start playing up and for symptoms to emerge, but happy to be proved wrong...?

Even happier to be proved that there is nothing wrong with my thyroid as it's a bloody nuisance to get potential treatment right!