Thyroid question

[wildflowersummermeadow]

Hi there

I went to the doc recently about constantly feeling fainty and weird and exhausted and ill all the time. I was expecting it to just be "lack of sleep" (sleep-averse 16 month old, sigh), but the doctors receptionist rang me back with the results of a blood test

"your blood test results are back, they say low iron and low thyroid...doctor says you don't need to do anything. come back in 3 months for another blood test"

does anyone happen to know why i might be waiting for 3 months for another test? is this something that can get better by itself then? or can there be different degrees or stages of the problem?

the only info i can find on the web seems to say it's a long term thing that requires medication...

thanks xx - just in case anyone has any experience or can offer any advice - can i help my thryoid myself?

xxx

I'd do the research first tbh, cos if your gp hasn't suggested it in 17 years, or looked into it further, they might not know much about it

@ Mindy, low/normal TSH and low FT4 would suggest that you may be hypopituitary rather than hypothyroid. If this is how your results usually look, you actually need a referral to an endocrinologist and some specific tests.

Nothing to worry about, but the treatment may be slightly different.

If you are low in T4, you will inevitably be low in T3 after conversion and will feel like . In this situation your doctor should not treat by TSH, but should actually look at your thyroid hormones and the ratio between them.

D

Is 11.5 low? (It's higher than mine atm lol - well not v lol cos I still feel crap).
Anyhow, great advice from rockind and sounds like you need a long chat with the gp and a referral. Don't be fobbed off. If you feel rubbish, there is something wrong and just cos tsh looks ok doesn't mean everything else is ok
Good luck

I'm having a blood test tmrw for thyroid issues and other things. I'm not sure my gp I saw was particularly helpful (think he thinks im depressed- im not) so what do I need to make sure they test for?

make sure they test both tsh and t4 - tsh is not very useful by itself. I was also tested for vit b12, ferritin, and later at my request, vit d, as well as usual full blood count. the tsh and t4 are for thyroid, the fbc will test iron, b12 is useful as often low in thyroid patients, as is vit d. once you get the results, ask for a printout including reference ranges and come back on here or another website before the appointment with gp so you get an idea of what to say to gp
good luck

hello - just a quick query. I have posted before as I think I have all the thyroid symptoms but my GP has tested twice and although acknowledging that it is "Suggestive" of hypothyroidism states that my results are not definitive. Went again last week and saw a female GP who looked very bored and then said "Do you take any exercise at all" --AHHHHH - I had just told her that I get 2 brisk walks each day (average one of 20mins, one of 45-1hr). I also told her that I have cut down on carbs a lot but still no weight loss just tiredness on waking - never feel as though I have had good sleep, dry hands, brittle hair, fat face, fat neck, feeling cool (not in a good way). I am contemplating changing GP as she refused to do more blood tests now and told me to come back in April but to maybe join weight watchers in the meantime.

I do have my results but not with me as am at work - will try and post them later tonight. The main question i want to ask today is about my neck - I think my neck looks different - sort of bumpy towards the bottom and just generally bigger than it used to be - does anybody else have swelling on neck - if so what does it look like - i have google imaged for photos but they are all really extreme cases where people have huge huge swellings. sorry for ramble but I am annoyed by this female GP and feel as though she was just judging me "as fat woman in her forties". I am considering changing to another practice even though will mean a journey to get there as my usual GP assumed I was depressed and was really dismissive too. I feel as though i am not going to get anywhere with this . thanks for listening. Kate

Katie

You could do with getting a copy of your results, so you can see the exact figures. Being 'suggestive of hypothyroid' suggests to me that your GP doesn't know how to interpret your results, but they aren't so far off the scale that she can say definitely.

You are however describing classic hypo symptoms and the fat neck is a dead giveaway. That really does need looking at. Dr Google will terrify you with pictures. I just can't do shirt collars up any more or wear a polo neck, so I know my neck is fatter than it used to be, and I feel that I don't want anyone to touch it. Does that sound familiar?

GP's reaction sounds fairly typical. It does beg the question why thyroid treatment is so poor in this country. In fact I think you can reasonably assume that anyone who sounds knowledgeable on this thread, has that knowledge because they have been messed about by the NHS.

D

Hi
Just reading throught this thread and hoping to jump on for some help, you are all so knowledgeable.
My gp has queried my thyroid as being too low for the last few months. Today I have just come back from an appointment from my lastest blood tests taken on Thursday. She showed me the results and to be honest I was trying to remember them but I am a little confused now. I honestly thought it read TSH had gone from 4.1 to 12 something since July 11. But reading this thread and it appears that 12 would be off the scale?
She has diagnosed me as having an underactive thyroid and given me 25mg tablets.
Bit shocked even though it's been discussed previously as I didn't think it would happen so quickly. Thought it would have decreased over years.
I also miscarried in January which may or may not have been because of this from what I can gather?

Looking for some hand holding......
Thank you

You must go back to your doctor and get the tablets.

It will not correct itself.

I have had an under active thyroid for about 5 years now, and I have my blood checked every 6 months.

Also don't forget to ask the doctor for a medical exemption form because if you have this condition you DO NOT have to pay for your prescriptions. This is not just for your thyroid tablets this is for anything that is prescribed to you from now on.

Would strongly recommend a look at this website: www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/
Stacks of useful information.

Please make sure you go & see your GP.

Hi, when I was diagnosed with under active thyroid and iron deficiency a couple of years ago my GP prescribed Levothyroxine and iron tabs - unfortunately no one thought to tell me that the iron tabs stop the thyroxine from being absorbed and vice versa. I would perhaps get some iron tabs from your GP or Chemist and start taking them straight away so that your iron is sorted out prior to hopefully getting the thyroxine prescribed but those that have much more medical knowledge than me may be able to confirm this.

Hope you get prescribed soon and start to feel much better.

Your B12 is a bit low too!

Normal range is usually 300/400 - 900 so 285 is either a bit under or significantly under, depending if they're using 300 or 400 as the lowest 'normal' range.

Hello saxony and katie, I have also found thyroid uk to be a useful website - this condition is disgracefully treated by the nhs so you will need to arm yourself with info. If you find the clinical knowledge summaries or gpnotebook or thyroid manager (us site) there is a lot of info on there about doses etc. The standard uk protocol is to start on at least 50mg afaik. I was also started on 25. I now see this as a sign of my gp lack of knowledge - so it might be worth asking why 25 not 50. Of course in ypur case there may be a reason I wouldn't like to say - but do ask! You should get a blood test after 6 weeks and eventually are aiming for tsh around 1 (or higher of course if you feel well before then). Ask your gp what they are aiming to get your tsh level to - wrong answer 'within reference range' - right answer 'to a level where you feel well and levels look good too'. You will v likely have other deficiencies as your body has not been working well - vit d, ferritin, b12, magnesium. Hope you feel better soon. Read up and be assertive. Good luck (btw tsh prob was 12 - they start treating once it's 10 in the uk)

merci you know your stuff!

I did see something the other day which suggested that there was no need to be cautious with an otherwise healthy young person, no heart problems etc, and you can start on a proper replacement dose of, say, 100mcg.

That sounds like a much better idea than creeping up by 25mcg every six weeks.

D

Can I lurk here for a bit?

I have been unwell since beginning of December when I had a abcessed cyst and strong AB for 3 weeks.

My GP has tested for glucose, thyroid, FBC, liver etc. I am getting the results tomorrow.

I am hoping they show nothing as I also have a chest infection now (3 months of colds will do that!) and been put on steroids and inhalers. According to steroid packet it says not to be given to people with thyroid problems - so I'm presuming it's fine.

Is it wrong though if they say everything is fine to ask for a copy of the results of blood tests myself? Or ask levels. I am a little concerned if my thyroid is borderline it may not get treated.

Thanks for letting me tag along and thanks to all the knowlegable people (although it's a shame what you've all had to go through to have the knowledge).

Thank you rockinD (blush) but really I'm only just learning - you sound like you've put in the reading too! Wish it made any difference to my crappy treatment so far - surprisingly my gp was not delighted when I pointed out all the stuff he was doing wrong. Ho hum. I dream of an actually decent replacement dose! Yes, gp notebook says go for full replacement, but I have to admit I get well hyper for a few days even on a 25mg increase. I'm not sure I'd fancy a full on dose straight off. Am now on 75 mg daily - 3 months of my life in - and that's only cos I unilaterally increase it every 6 weeks. Have you seen the youtube animation? My gp consultations are eerily familiar - should I be grateful I don't have to wear the dodgy s + m gear?

m.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&client=mv-google&v=tOb2POQGE6g
This is the youtube link - gets funnier the more times you see your gp

m.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&client=mv-google&v=tOb2POQGE6g
This is the youtube link - gets funnier the more times you see your gp

hello - this is very informative - thanks for all input.

Rockin D - My neck is not sore to touch. I dont tend to wear any shirts with collars anyway so can't use that as a measure. I am a scoop top type of person (watched too much Trinny and Susannah a few years back).

I can only describe my neck as not having any definition - just looks fat and towards the lower part on one side appears lumpy - some days it looks bigger than others as well (?)

I will dig out my test results and post them - I did get copies and they are in a stash of filing on my desk. Can I be a pain and list all my symptoms and see if you think I am looking at the right thing with regard thyroid

General tiredness - never feel rested on waking but strangely sometimes seem to have energy late afternoon. Waking intermittently through the night lately.

Regular periods - but very heavy - feel exhausted when having period
Very dry hands and heels

Hair not as glossy as used to be - appears brittle - even though I use good quality conditioner all the time
.
Feel as though I dont smile as much as I used to - not that I don't want to - I just think my face feels as though it is "dragged down" a bit - sorry that probably doesn's make much sense but only way i can describe it.

FAT NECK (as detailed top of this msg)

When hanging washing out on line - my arms ache

Sometimes when walking I have palpitations (not all the time). I do walk regularly (twice a day and am known for my fast walking)

Weight gain over last few years - up and down but mainly up. Have gone up 2-3 clothes sizes. I do have good appetite but not eating tons. Eat lots of veg. Chicken. Limited red meat. Some wine (not much) Have really cut down on bread over last year - and yet weight seems to be going up.

Sometimes not hungry in the morning - but always have something. However - have noticed that I feel nauseous if I leave lunch even a bit late - feel as though physically need the food even if I do not feel that I want it.

My mood is good - I want to do stuff - just feel dont have energy to do it fast. I am doing things but everything seems to take me longer. definitely not depressed - which has been suggested by GP

OK - diagnose me
kate

Katie that sounds similar.

I only have about 1/2 those symtoms. I have not gained weight but I am barely eating atm. And not necessarily good food when I do.

Thanks guys for the advice. Took my first tablet this morning. Hoping to see some changes in the coming months. Really silly question but other forums have been mentioning weight gain when first taking tablets. Hope not...what are your experiences?

couple more things which I forgot to put on my long long list (see couple of posts above)

I have very hairy chin - over last few years I have spent to much on electrolysis that I think I have paid for my beauty therapists car

I have now resorted to using facial hair removing cream and need to do this every couple of weeks - i have noticed that a lot of the hairs are now coming through white rather than all dark.

Also - I know, I know - my list is neverending. I seem to spend a lot of time going "cccgghhh" - that is my impresssion of a little cough - I don't have a cold or chesty cough but i seem to do this litttle coughing sound a lot.

I hope it is all my thyroid because if it just me then it sounds as though I am falling apart - k

You can take iron and thyroxine on the same day but make sure you separate them by a few hours at least as iron can prevent the thyroxine from being absorbed.

Also, it's best to take thyroxine on an empty stomach and wait an hour before eating. There's also been a recent study showing that drinking coffee at the same time as taking thyroxine can prevent absorption so again best to wait an hour. I think I remember they're not sure with that study if it's the caffeine or something else so jury is out on tea annoyingly.

"When hanging washing out on line - my arms ache"

I spent years trying to explain that to people.

Have just read back and can't remember who said what, but your results are your data and you can have 'em, for your own interest, if you want 'em. End of.

A friend of mine was having acupuncture and she overcame her unwillingness to ask for her results by telling the GP that the acupuncturist had asked!

D

I am hypothyroid following RIT for Graves disease and my arms ache when I'm drying my hair and I haven't washed windows in years sadly DH doesn't do them for me even if I lay it on thick.

I can lift heavy stuff no problem it's sustained use that causes me problems but I don't know anyone else who has u/active thryoid who has the symptom and I know quite a few girls with it.

Nice to meet you all