I think I have underactive thyroid but think doctor will think I’m “worried well”

[BosForShort]

How do I get past my worry that my symptoms are just middle class “worried well” (oh I’m so tired! I’m so cold! My hair is thinning! I don’t have the energy to do anything!) such that I can explain it to the doctor and she doesn’t think I’m making a drama out of nothing?

Either get a grip and realise that it doesn’t matter what the doctor thinks, or avoid the issue altogether by paying for some private tests and working from there.

You want testing for B12, folate, vitamin D and ferritin as well as thyroid tests. They do lots of discounts including a discount on one of their thyroid test bundles every Thursday. A bit of googling would probably find you a 10% code if you don’t want to wait around. It should cost you less than £100.

Argh failed to say where to look. I’ve used medichecks. They’re not the only place for private blood tests but they seem reliable and you get a report on your results from a GP.

Just go in and tell her this is your concern and you would be grateful for her thoughts and for the appropriate tests. Perfectly reasonable. What's the point in playing games with her? - going in, pretending you do not have a clue what you might have, acting dumb?

I cannot imagine any GP just ignoring these symptoms. People go in with an idea of what they think they might have all the time - probably at least half the consultations.

The doctor patient relationship is supposed to be an equal one, where you each share your knowledge and formulate a plan from there. You don not have to go paying for your own tests.

You get past your worry by going to the GP, presenting your symptoms and seeing what they advise.

Underactive thyroid is very common especially in middle aged or older women (I don't know your age but I got this just post meno). The basic blood tests are, afaik, quite routine and it's usually one of the easier conditions to treat. (There are exceptions, always, but basically most people just need an appropriate dose of levothyroxine)

I had a private BUP set of tests at a point I felt perfectly well, which showed thyroid results just a bit off... so when six months or so later I started to feel a bit depressed and 'off', I went to the GP, asked if it could be thyroid, he promptly ordered tests (thyroid plus some of the others mentioned by PP) and sure enough they showed reduced thyroid function.

Doctors are generally sensible people who'd rather detect and start treating something sooner rather than later, you know!

Very simple to address this - as others are saying, just make an appointment with your GP, explain your symptoms and ask for a blood test. I followed this route, after feeling extremely unwell, but not realising it could be low thyroid. So I was very surprised to receive the diagnosis. Prescribed Levothyroxine which completely sorted it out - easy weight loss, thicker hair, stopped tingling in fingers and feeling cold and depressed. Good luck, OP - keep us posted as to how you get on.

Ask for a blood test. I'm on 125 mcg daily of levothyroxine and feel that the fog is lifting. I think looking back I should have started my treatment years ago.

I have an under active thyroid and got it diagnosed very quickly.Go yo your up and present your symptoms and insist on having your thyroid bloods done along with b12 and fbc