Low thyroid?

[Lovepancakes]

Hi
I've been tired for years and recently come across low thyroid as a possibility. So far I've only had iron levels tested (and had low white blood count but iron fine).

I took my temperature when first woke which was under 36.4 having read this can be an indicator of low thyroid and I also have very very dry skin and constipation so is it worth asking the GP for blood tests? I'm bored of trying to find out why I'm so fuzzy-headed and exhausted and discovering wheat intolerance a couple of years ago made a huge difference but I'm wary of wasting GP's time.
Sorry this is boring but any advice would be fantastic. I used to have so much natural energy and run miles but now fairly resigned to not knowing why this has changed as tiredness seems such a vague complaint!

yes, it is a really easy cheap test, so why suffer?
also ask for b12, ferritin and vit d to be tested at the same time

Ok, thanks. I have to be thicker-skinned as I always feel GP feels I'm wasting time with complaining of feeling 'tired'. Thanks for those suggestions

It might take a few years to get your meds right. The normal range is huge - you could be right at the bottom and 'normal' and still feeling crap. Each time try the meds for three months.

My gps have always been utterly useless so I have pushed to see a consultant who is now monitoring me more closely.

Good luck.

If you used to have bags of energy and now you don't, then you are right to want to look into what has made the difference.

If you have a wheat intolerance, this may be connected.

Never let anyone tell you that your test results are 'fine'. To many GPs, this just means within the reference range. Your ferritin needs to be at least 70 and preferably higher.

You have signs and symptoms - go back and ask for a test. If you have any family history of thyroid issues, insist on your TPO and TgAB antibodies being tested. This may clinch a diagnosis when TSH and FT4 are both still within the reference range.

Thank you so much. I'll have a go. There's no history in the family but i really have changed slowly from boundless energy and winning long distance races to not walking half a mile because if i do by evening I'll be so tired I'll be irritable and unlike myself (very cheery by nature). If it's not thyroid maybe I got some virus or something that's never quite left me. Thank you for listening as helps and that I should have another attempt at trying to find out. If we could afford private I feel I'd push harder for answers as I can manage but every day tires me and I'm early thirties

Well, from what you describe someting is very evidently not right so do pursue it. It's absolutely not normal to go from running miles to being tired out by a half-mile walk. I would definitely mention all that to the doctor.

Sorry to hijack thread but how do you ask to be tested? I was tested by gp about 3 years ago and was told I was in the normal range. Since having dd 4 years ago I have tried everything to lose weight and nothing works. I have a very healthy diet, I exercise as well as I possibly can but still have zero energy. I don't sleep well despite having a great sleep routine as I wake loads during the night. I only have to look at chocolate to gain weight and have calorie counted to no avail. I am constantly cold even when others are baking but when I get warm I overheat and have fainted a few times in the past few months in public places no less! I an convinced something is wrong but I am embarrassed to ask for the test as I don't want to look like some crazy google obsessed person!
I moved to a hot country 4 months ago and I still struggle to be warm despite the fact that the living room is 25 degrees and DH is almost passing out from the heat. I often sit under a blanket
The medical care here is private so do I just brazenly ask to be tested? Since I have to pay will just so it without caring what I am chucking money at?

thyroid is one of the most commonly run tests and is very cheap so never feel bad about asking. it is a good idea anyway to run yearly blood tests to check all is ok. in the states that is routine. they also treat earlier there
private healthcare will be easy to get tests done. why suffer?

I'm about to book an appointment to have this tested. I've had it before and been told it was normal but I didn't know enough to question that or to dig further - still don't.
Can anyone kindly shed light on th issue so I don't feel a dick when I ask for further clarification?

My DM has hyperthyroidism, don't know if that's relevant. Mine's being tested because I have permanent muscle discomfort and can't do any exercise beyond gentle stretches without an all-over burning sensation. Gp said it sounds like normal post-exercise discomfort, but I know what that feels like and this is not the same.

ragusa I did mention all this to the GP and that it had been like this for 3 or 4 years now and he just said to come back in a few months if still tired due to fact DS is still small and parenting tiring! I guess I didn't argue as wasn't sure what else we could do as didnt know about thyroid problems.
He never mentioned the possibility of a thyroid problem so at least offers a glimmer of hope as something to test for. I did emphasise I was running 16 mile races before having DD (7 years ago) but the change has been so gradual and felt so vague to be 'tired' I just get on with it but all close friends know as often I can't manage evenings well.

I would do a health MOT privately if had less pressure financially as dd was unwell with undiagnosed allergies for a long time which (different) GP didn't pick up on and it took one private appointment for something unrelated for a doctor to ask if we realised she had an allergy. The appointment was slightly longer and I do think GPs must have a hard job

I had horrible lactic acid type burning feeling after exercise

just be direct with the gp and say you want blood tests. ask for the other tests as well

Thanks merci. I'm having the test, but I know there are different ways of interpreting results so will have to get genned up this stuff.