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Original poster

Borderline thyroid problems.

41 replies

SaltyMyDear · 25/02/2017 20:50

In Nov I got bloods done on you guys recommendation.

Dr said they were fine but she wanted to repeat in May.

I googled 'tired after eating' and realised I have an underactive thyroid. My symptoms are:

  • tiredness. Particularly after eating.
  • weight gain
  • depression
  • mood swings
  • tingling in hands

So I requested my blood results from Nov and they say my thyroid is borderline. T4 is 7.2 and it should be between 7.5 - 15

Why is 7.2 borderline and not an underactive thyroid?

Am I in some kind of pre underactive thyroid state?

And if I act now with diet and vitamins can I stop it turning into full blown problem?

My mum has lupus. So I would think I'm more likely to get this.......

OP posts:
Original poster
SaltyMyDear · 26/02/2017 17:01

PleaseMrsTweedie! - Does secondary hypothyroidism mean it's not due to an autoimmune condition?

That's even more scary then it being due to an autoimmune condition.....

OP posts:
Original poster
SaltyMyDear · 26/02/2017 17:02

I don't have heavy periods. I have the opposite. Very very very light periods. Which have been that way for about a year?

I'm 43 and I don't think I'm menopausal (Mum reached menopause at 53)

Are very very light periods also a symptom? Or do they tell you anything else?

OP posts:
imadeamistake123 · 26/02/2017 17:21

Salty, there are so many different symptoms that you might get but everyone's different. Please don't worry yourself too much. You just need the proper tests so you'll know and can get treatment if necessary. I had private health cover so I got the right tests quickly. It would have taken years otherwise and I needed to maintain a pressured job and family so I couldn't wait for the NHS!

ExplodedCloud · 26/02/2017 17:27

My periods were fine until suddenly they were awful. I'd go through an ultra tampon and towel in about 15 minutes. And my ferritin dropped through the floor.

Has anyone got any advice on how to get listened to? My GP says it's fine to have a level of 3.2. My GP says the tingling isn't thyroid related.
Where do you go then?

ExplodedCloud · 26/02/2017 17:29

I'd go private if I knew they'd listen but I don't have the GP's backing or insurance so it's going to cost.

imadeamistake123 · 26/02/2017 17:34

Please join healthunlocked/Thyroid. It's the thyroid UK forum. They can send you a report by a respected thyroid expert. I know some people take this to their GP and use it to insist on further tests. Insist on a referral to an Endocrinologist. He will be able to get a full thyroid test panel done. I'm on T3 meds even though TSH was normal range at 4.3!

imadeamistake123 · 26/02/2017 17:37

The test from blue horizons is only £99 so cheaper than a private appointment. My appointment cost around £150 using insurance but then the tests cost more than blue horizons on top of that.

ExplodedCloud · 26/02/2017 17:44

I will join, thank you. I'm feeling incredibly despondent about this all. I have just had a chat with DH about his benefits package at work and it may be possible to add me on to it in April. May be a compromise we need to make.

imadeamistake123 · 26/02/2017 17:50

With a good push, you should get help from the NHS. I know its so frustrating. My medication isn't right yet. It does take a while as we're all different. Maybe get your DH TO GO WITH YOU!

ExplodedCloud · 26/02/2017 18:18

DH is on board but annoyingly I'm the logical, forceful one normally! Actually DH thinks there may be a sympathetic private GP near us so once I've got my antibody results I might make contact with him to see if he'd accept the tests you mention upthread.

Bleu2 · 26/02/2017 18:45

Just to add that Medichecks also offer the finger prick blood tests.
There are a range of thyroid tests including the one that offers TFT / T3 / iron stores (Ferritin) / Vit D / FBC / B12& Folate.
There are often discounts available too on the above, if you register your email.

Pleasemrstweedie · 26/02/2017 19:33

Not scary at all OP. Very common, but poorly diagnosed because of over-reliance on TSH test, which doesn't pick it up.

Original poster
SaltyMyDear · 26/02/2017 21:30

Thanks all of you. I really appreciate your advice and experiences. Given me lots to think about.

OP posts:
ExplodedCloud · 26/02/2017 22:24

Salty keep me posted!

Original poster
SaltyMyDear · 08/03/2017 15:27

I've been gluten free for a week and a half now - and I feel fabulous!

Really I feel like a different person. Or more specifically I feel like the person I was 10 years ago.

OP posts:
Original poster
SaltyMyDear · 06/04/2017 21:18

Nutritionist got a full blood test done. And the only problem are my T4 levels. TSH is fine. T3 is fine.

So she says my underactive thyroid is due to estrogen dominance. And that'll take months to reduce my estrogen levels.

So once again feeling overwhelmed.

(BTW going gluten free helped a bit. But not as much as it would have if my thyroid problems were due to an autoimmune condition)

OP posts:
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