Another Thyroid one

[mejon]

I finally saw my GP a couple of weeks ago after suffering from hair loss for a while. Had blood test and result showed that I had an underactive thyroid:

"Serum TSH level - 4.91 mU/L (0.27-4.20) 'High'"
"Serum free T4 level 17.0 pmol/L (11.0-25.0)"

Before prescribing medication, my GP wanted to do a thyroid antibody test which gave the following result:

^"Se thyroid peroxidase Ab conc - 26.6 U/ml (

Posting on the hop; any other blood results? Any other symptoms?

I had a full blood MOT apparently - iron levels ok and nothing else untoward but these were the only ones I got copies of.

Hair loss and the weight issue are the main symptoms though. 2 years ago I managed to lose 18lbs in a couple of months. This year I've struggled to lose 8lbs since early May. Could be my age I guess but GP doesn't do hormone test to see if I'm menopausal or not.

Your FT4 is in the bottom half of the reference range and your FT3, which of course wasn't tested, will be similarly low, giving rise to your symptoms. You are effectively hypothyroid, but you'll never get a doctor to agree and the tick box mentality now means you won't get treatment unless you are: symptomatic with TSH over range and positive antibodies, or your TSH goes over 10.

I think your Dr doesn't want to treat you because of the risk of sending your thyroid overactive instead. If this happens you can get heart palpitations, hand tremors, nausea, vomiting, lots of sweating and mood swings.

If I were you, I'd follow the doctor's advice for now but go back if your symptoms get worse.

IME GPs have a very black and white approach to thyroid problems and you are better off seeing an endocrinologist, however you won’t get a GP to refer you probably so that would need to be private .

It is a tricky one - You have symptoms such as the nap post school run and family history is a red flag.

What time of day was the test?
Could you find out your ferritin test (if done?)

Also, was that the only antibody tested? I had the other one, TRAB I think.

Thanks all. I'm conflicted really. Initially GP was going to give me a low dose of thyroxine as the TSH was 'high' (anything over 4.2 as far as I'm aware in my HA) but then said let's do the antibody test first. I've no idea what other results were - just told everything else was normal. Both tests done first thing in the morning and with the 2nd one I'd not eaten or drunk since the night before. Is iron and ferritin the same thing? I do remember I had pretty high ferritin levels when I was pregnant 8 years ago - though that of course means nothing!

The heart palpitations etc. was what I was worried about tbh - I'm off on holiday in a month and wouldn't want to be unwell when I'm abroad.

Very high ferritin can mean heamachromatosis - which can be tough. Any family history there? Might be worth checking.

Ok - in a way it's good he was going to give you some though I can see why he then didn't. Your t4 isn't too bad to be fair; in the middle, given the tsh. Tsh can be a bit higher in the mornings. Could you ask if you could be monitored given symptoms? Tbh a small amount would probably help but they are careful as thyroids can fluctuate and thyroxine can cause issues if not really needed.

There is a 12.5 tablet available now too.

Thank you Ekphrasis. GP said I could go back and see her anytime if I felt worse so I'll see how I go. Hopefully the school holidays starting next week and not having to get up so early each day should help with the tiredness though not so sure about the hair and weight issue.

That's good she said that - do go back if you feel even worse or perhaps in 6-8 weeks.

It's possible that you've got the start of a thyroid issue - thyroid things can take a frustratingly long time to both get to a treatable level and then to get properly managed.

Try getting extra iron in your diet, (don't take calcium or dairy near the iron) vitamin d and b12 to boost things as well as a good level of iodine. Hair loss can occur with medium ferritin levels too.

My results were similar and they prescribed 50mcg straight away. Antibodies came back later at 1000 but my endocrinologist said it doesn't really matter, a month later and every month since, TSH is at around 1.5 and I lost 2 stone and got my life back. I don't know why the UK is so dramatic about it. They are OTC here. But to be fair I can see a doctor with knowledge in the area I need without having to beg. I would fight or go to a private doctor. It's worth it.

Have a look at the stop the thyroid madness website / Facebook page. Also the thyroid uk website.
I have autoimmune thyroiditis..Hashimoto's. My thyroid antibodies were both in the high hundreds.

I buy my own porcine thyroid treatment ( eg, armour, erfa, naturethroid) from a compounding pharmacy in the US and it's a life changer for me. Two years on levothyroxine nearly ruined me and my body. Within a month on NDT ( natural dessicated thyroid) I was a stone lighter, sleeping well and not tired at all.

If your GP won't treat you ( or take it from me, you want to avoid feeling worse on Levo if she does treat you!) have a look on the sites I've mentioned above, esp the thyroid uk one for recommendations of tested and well assessed sites to get NDT from.

With levels like yours you need to get treated. You are hypothyroid and you are symptomatic. Bloody NHS and it's rules and limits. Being hypo and untreated is so dangerous for your heart health as well as many other body essential processes.

I buy mine from here...it is s genuine site, honestly. My blood results have been superb since taking any of their thyroid meds.

www.pimpomproducts.com

Or come to Qatar or Doha for a holiday and stock up!