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

did your GP give you the actual numbers? Some (most) GPs are working with the old range which says that TSH of under 4 is ok whereas endocrinologists like to see a number under 2. I wouldn't bother with retesting but ask for a second opinion - to which you are entitled. Even if your TSH is ok, the other numbers could still be out and you need an expert opinion. The swelling could be thyroid related but it sounds like you don't trust your dr to investigate properly. The waking temps are low, I would say. Mine are too and I am hypothyroid.

maybe try seeing a different GP - maybe a female who might relate better to you ?

I have been wondering about my thyroid being underactive as I seem to have many of the symptoms, except weight gain. Do you think you can still have an underactive thyroid and not have put much wieght on?

Katie, I've also just started a thread (Thyroxine for the newly initiated) and our symptoms are also identical.

Have just read about your cough. I'm the same. I've been wondering if it was allergy related because it's a real tight tickly at the back of my throat, that won't go away.

Wiggly even though I'm a newly diagnosed Hypo, I know very little about the actual condition. A friend of a friend though, whom I know to be Hypo, eats a ridiculously low-fat low-carb diet to compensate for her sluggish metabolsim. She's like a rake. How's your diet?

Thanks for words of wisdom. Yes my GP doesn't inspire me - but can't really go anyywhere else in the area I live. Prior to this I have only seen GP when booking in for ante-natal care etc. I have always been in good health. Will see how I feel over next week or so and then maybe go back and just ask for re-testing.

I did my temp again today and it was 35.6 - so still low for 3 days on the run.

WelshMoth - I noticed your thread. Yes sounds as though we are having similar time. You have got diagnosed though, whereas I am convinced myself but have yet to convince GP. THe tickly cough think is strange. I described it to my partner the other day as like a "waiting room cough" or a cough when you are being ignored in a shop "hhhh-cgh" It definitely isn't coming from chest - it is all in the throat and is a dry tickle. Do you have swelling at all in neck. I think my throat is swollen at front one side - right at bottom of neck. However - keep looking at diagrams and some seem to put thyroid halfway up neck. I need to get this sorted.

My tiredness is strange too. Some nights I seem to liven up at about 10pm (like tonight) - then struggle to sleep and wake up in the morning feeling and looking exhausted. How are you with sleep?

Maybe we should combine our thread - the Beginners Guide to Hypothyroidism (or possibly not in my case). Kate

I think a Beginners Guide would be a TOP idea . I really am just starting to learn about this all, but what I've also noticed, is that I'm really, really poor at concentrating and absorbing any information. MN is nice and easy, but anything beyond that and my focus goes. I have a Maths App on my iphone which I used to fly through but now I struggle. The fuzz is terrible.

Sleep is also a grim area at the moment. I've always managed on 5-6 hours a night, less sometimes. Lately though, I cannot get enough sleep. I'm exhausted and puffy every morning and I'm literally dead on my feet by the time my DC get to bed, and on my knees an hour after that. I feel very lazy, and slow. I hate it.

No lumps in my neck, none at all. And the cough isn't constant, but once it comes back, I seem to be plagued by it for hours. I've not mentioned it to the GP, but I will. I put it down to some sort of allergy because I also need to blow my nose a lot first thing in the morning but the cough is so aggravating.

And as for weight.... It's out of control. I weighed today and although I feel and look the heaviest I've been, my actual weight isn't as high as what I'd estimated. I'm very puffy though, so was wondering whether it's water?

Sorry for the epic - tend to ramble. Am wrecked beyond belief now, so off to bed.