Abnormal thyroid?

[PoppyPopcorn]

First started having thyroid function tests about 3 years ago when I first saw my GP about horrendous periods. At that point I was told my thyroid levels were borderline and to repeat bloods every 6 months, which I did. No change. Periods situation deteriorated and I ended up with a hysterectomy 11 months ago.

Remembered a week ago that I hadn't had a thyroid test in over a year so went to see nurse at GP. Surgery has now rung me back to say thyroid levels are now "abnormal" and they want to repeat the test in 4 weeks.

If it's still abnormal in 4 weeks, what happens next? I have friends who are on thyroxine and this has been mentioned in the past. I understand this is a permanent thing - if I started thyroxine i'd be on it forever. Any thyroid stories to share? I'm 45, if that's in any way relevant and otherwise fit and healthy save some mild asthma.

I was diagnosed at 40. Mine is autoimmune hypothyroidism. Yes you have to take thyroxine for life generally speaking but you do get an NHS exemption card so that prescription and all your others, whether or not related, are free for life. Every cloud and all that! If you are experiencing any symptoms you will still start to feel better. I felt exhausted and mildly depressed. Was such a relief when the pills kicked in. Can take a while to get your levels right. Beware doctors that try and set your meds at the lowest level of acceptable...

Thank you :-) I'm in Scotland and we get free prescriptions anyway!

I think the problem with thyroid is that so many of the symptoms can be put down to other things. Yes I'm knackered but show me a parent of three kids who isn't! I feel the cold, my hair is like straw and I've put on weight, but lots of people who haven't thyroid issues have the same problems.

On the other hand I have a friend who has started on thyroxine a year ago and says it's transformed her life.

Both DH and I are on thyroxine - him autoimmune, me just that its common for post meno women to have underactive thyroids. Good stuff and free... if you need it take it!

I am hypothyroid so take levothyroxin, they started me on low dose and retested after 4 weeks and slowly increased until my body levelled out with correct dosage. Really helps with the fatigue.

If your thyroid hormones are low, you need levothyroxine which will just replace the hormones you are missing. These hormones are used by every cell in your body so if you don’t replace them you will just become more and more unwell until eventually, left untreated, you would fall into a coma and die! It is not a case of “if you start you will be on them forever”. It’s “if your thyroid is failing, you will need replacement thyroid hormone forever” as the thyroid doesn’t recover.

You need the replacement hormones. Take them.

You should be started on 50mcg of levothyroxine and then retested after 6 weeks and your dose increased. This should be repeated until your TSH is under 1 and your T4 in the upper 1/4 of the range. Make sure when your blood tests are done that you have them taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. You should leave at least 24hrs from last levo dose. You should not take any supplements containing biotin for at least 4/5 days before testing. You WILL NOT get an accurate blood test without doing the above so it’s really important to follow this.

To get a complete picture you should really rest your T3 and thyroid antibodies too but your GP is unlikely to test for these. In addition, you may find you are low on vitamins due to low stomach acid so it is recommended that you also check your vit d, b12, ferritin and folate. These should be st lest mid range.

Have a look at the BMA book Managing Thyroid Disorders and the Thyroid UK website and forum for more info.