hypothyroid experts please look at my list

[katiewins22]

Hello

I normally lurk on travel boards so this is new arena for me

I am just looking for some affirmation/views on my symptom. I have an appt with GP tomorrow - who from previous experience (with my children) can be quite dismissive and abrupt - unfortunately no other GP available to see this week as female GP (who I know personally - so wouldn't be ideal to see her anyway) is away for 1 month. I am hoping to go with clear information about how I am feeling. Although concerned that if I list all information I am putting down here he will think I am a total hypochondriac

I think I have hypothyroidism - have a friend with it and I have looked at reputable websites (NHS/Thyroid UK) and seem to have some of symptoms - but I have others too. Can you look at my list and see what you think.

General tiredness - even after 8 hrs sleep
Struggling with words at times - reminds me of when 1st had babies and lacking sleep and can't get the right words out.
Weight gain - over last 12 months approx 2 stone - prior to that up and down for 5 years or so
Tingling occasionally in hands and pins & needles in feet (not all time but regular enough to be noticeable)
Puffy face
Feeling cold during day but recently waking some nights as hot!
Eyebrows seem bit sparce at outer area - but not vanished completely
Periods regular but very heavy - only last 2-3 days though. Been like this last 5 years or so, particularly heavy last couple of years.
At time of period very very tired.
Strange feeling when doing everyday tasks - such as making beds/carrying shopping - arms feel tired very quickly.

I have always been fit and well. Have always exercised but finding it more difficult to do now - just feel too tired.

I think that is it - what a shopping list of symptoms! Any thoughts on this welcome. Thanks Katie

Hi. Some of your symptoms could be indicative of hypothyroidism. I would google hypothyroidism symptom checklist, print it off,tick ones that apply and show it to your GP. I would link but I'm on the phone, sorry. My main symptoms were: extreme tiredness, unexplained weight gain, bad hair loss, feeling v. Cold all the time, even more than usually. Good luck getting a diagnosis.

Hello - thanks for comments. I get the impression that getting a diagnosis certainly isn't straightforwards. Sounds like some of you have had to battle for fair treatment.

LeonieDelt - I love your turn of phrase "fork in mouth syndrome" - I will be ready to tell GP that I dont if that if conversation goes in that direction

My appt is later this morning so I will report back with what happens. Thanks again .k

watching with interest....i too have many of your symptoms, and too add to them depression that comes and goes and constipation.

really hoping you feel better soon .

Agree with other's who've said that if you just get told your results are "within normal range" push them for numbers. And then push for a referral to an endocrinologist if you're still not happy with their conclusions/diagnosis/lack thereof.

I too have had a long running battle with GPs over this and have ended up seeking a private referral (luckily for me covered by health insurance).

Also agree with you that your list of symptoms is long. I'm not doubting you are suffering from all those things but it might confuse the issue / make the GP think you have just googled and written down everything under the sun. Personally I would focus on the debilitating fatigue and the weight gain as the key symptoms, along with anything else that it particularly bothering you, and leave the more peripheral points aside unless asked.

Oh and same point (re pushing for numbers, seeking referral etc) applies not only to the initial diagnosis but to establishing at what point you are on the correct level of medication if you do get a positive diagnosis. They will need to build it up very gradually, probably in increments of 25mcg at a time, over a period of months, and keep re-testing your blood until you get within the normal range.

Hi there - well I had my appointment. I didnt take my whole list of symptoms just focussed on the main issues - tiredness, weight gain etc and was met with a blank stare - i actually wondered if he had nodded off - he then sighed and said "Wellll - you modern mothers are always doing too much, working, looking after family, keeping house (his very words) - it is just to be expected that you get a bit tired & you probably (major assumption on his part about to be broadcast) - pick at the childrens food without realising.

He then said his suggestion would be for me to get out and exercise more and cut down on snacks. I think I was supposed to say "thank you doctor for your words of wisdom" and leave but I did not. In a very calm manner I reiterated my symptoms and said I would like my blood to be tested for thyroid/anaemia and perhaps diabetes - although my money is on thyroid. He said "oh well - lets put your mind at rest" and handed me the form to go and see the nurse. I went and sat in the nurses waiting area to then be told that I need an appointment. I went to make an appointment and I can go and get my bloods done on 7th October (good job not urgent then!). Will update when get results back - probably November!

Good on you for keeping going. I hate the patronising "you are just doing too much" bollocks. Most people know the difference between feeling normal and tired and not feeling well. Your results should come back within about a week - usually earlier if abnormal. And don't forget to ask for the exact numbers on your TSH.

katie if you want to get your bloods done sooner you should be able to get the form and take it to your local hospital, they usually have a turn up and wait service where you can get it done the same day (just be prepared to wait a couple of hours!). They will then send the results back to your GP.

Thanks everyone. I have phoned today and the nurse has a cancellation for Friday at 9am so I am going along then - feeling happier about that.

I have just a couple more symptoms which have really only just cropped up last few days and wonder what you all think?

I have been having palpitations on and off - sitting in bed the other night they started and then yesterday when I had done some hoovering and now today I went for a brisk walk with a friend and I was actually feeling a bit more energetic than I have been lately but gradually I started to have this sense of having palpitations - and a feeling which I can only describe as sort of a shortness of breath or lack of breath - I became aware of this as we were walking and told my friend. I then slowed down and took in some long, deep breaths and it settled down a bit. However, got home and went up and downstairs to put ironing away and had it briefly again. Is this something associated with hypothyroid? I know what it sounds like - it sounds like a panic attack - but I didnt feel panicked about anything - and just curious now.

Thanks Katie (who appears to be falling to bits )

I went to see my GP 3 years ago because I was having palpitations. She checked my thyroid just to rule it out - and my TSH was over 80

It was the only symptom I was aware of then. Since being diagnosed I've had various other issues, but in my experience, palpitations are def related to hypothyroidism

Thanks again for such detailed replies. I understand what you are saying about the adrenaline rushing in to compensate for the thyroid. The funny thing was that when I was walking with my friend i was feeling really good and enjoying the walk - not feeling sluggish at all - and then all of a sudden the palpitations started and I felt as though i needed to really slow down to get back in control. I wasn't thinking about my symptoms at all and don't have history or panic attacks, so didn't feel as though that would apply, but now you have explained this it makes it seem so likely that my initial thoughts about thyroid were correct. Roll on Friday to get my bloods done. THank you all for your words of wisdom - Katie

Can't believe your doctor's brush-off - well done for sticking to your guns.

I think I might have "sub-clinical" hypothyroidism - tiredness, weight gain, dry hair, palpitations, feeling the cold. Tests didn't show anything but my mum and aunt both have underactive thyroids. I'm not at the desperate stage yet though.

Hello - thanks for suppprt - had bloods taken this morning so will hear next week. I seem to be having a range of symptoms which although generally present for number of months have rapidly increased in recent weeks along with new things - such as the palpitations. I noticed yesterday that I seemed to be having "hot flush" feelings - very warm. I felt as though face was sweating - and felt really warm (i know the weather is good but this just sort of came over me and then went again after about 15 mins and then happened again later in day and this morning). I am now confused as I had been generally feeling cold - wearing extra layer - and this helped me think I am showing symptoms of hypothyroidism - but now feeling hot! I know I will just have to wait and see what results show but interested to see if anybody else alternates between hot/cold?? K.

Hello _ i typed an update last week regarding my results but can't have hit submitt (foggy brain perhaps?)

Anyway - got my results and I am anaemic so been prescribed iron tabs - which have been taking for couple weeks now and I think I am feeling a bit better. I had been taking some over the counter iron tabs for month or so anyway but apparently these are stronger/better.

But - with regard to thyroid. GP said results not definite although indicate possible hypothyroidism. Therefore he wants to wait another 6 weeks and retest. So this means I just have to carry on feeling tired and sluggish.

The thing is - I do feel a bit better with the iron tabs so maybe it isn't thyroid but I have noticed a few new things. Maybe not new - but have only just noticed them

THese are in addition to my list at the beginning of this thread

1. i read about taking temperature and last few days it has been 35.4, 35.6, 35.4 - taken on waking - this seems low to me?

1. I have noticed that as soon as I go out in cold weather I seem to get a rush of goosebumps (medical word??)

1. When I am in a warm room - I get really really red in the face - people comment on it.

1. I have a cough (not a chesty cough) more a little tickle of a cough and I seem to be doing it more and more.

1. I have been examining my neck and at the very bottom on one side (just before where my collar bone SHOULD be visible) seems swollen. It this where the thyroid is - some images seem to put it as halfway up the throat. I was never good at biology.

1. Losing words - I notice this happening a lot - but of course it could be because I am worrying about my health - for example - I was in meeting the other day and sat opposite a woman I have known personally and professionally for over 15 years. I suddenly needed to ask her to explain some work she had done and as I went to ask her I was aware that I couldnt remember her name - it just went out of my head. Is this a thyroid thing

I can understand the GP not wanting to prescribe when the test not conclusive but when I talked again about the weight gain, tiredness, heavy periods he just seemed to look disinterested. I do seem to have a bit more energy but this could be the iron couldn't it? I sound as though I am desperate to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism - but I am actually just desperate to feel better than I do.

ANy comments please - thank you. Kate

In my experience gp's are reluctant to diagnose because for ever after you have an exemption from nhs prescription charges. I am still 10st overweight because I had to wait nearly 10 years for treatment. AND I'm still cross about it.

Finally I've found an endocrinologist who will treat me on the basis of my symptoms although it's a 50mile trip. That's as opposed to the local one who insisted on referring me for a gastric band op. Bastard.