I'm going to ask for a proper thyroid function test

[GetOurraMeWay]

What should I ask for?
I've been knackered forever, aching joints, weight gain, hair loss. I'm deficient in Vit B so have just started taking that. Am 48 so probably menopausal but no periods thanks to Mirena.
I've spoken to GP twice (2 diff GPs) about the Vit deficiency and possible HRT. But I read a thread here last night ranting about how women are woefully under diagnosed and it was a proper lightbulb moment. Like - yes! I have all those symptoms and keep being offered higher doses of antidepressants. I'm not against that but what if its something physical? My TSH is normal but apparently that's not a relevant metric.
Anyone with any insight or experience? BTW I have an appointment with a private GP tomorrow via work so I'll have ample time to moan list my symptoms. Thanks in advance

Are you on HRT? A lot of those symptoms could be peri-meno related and improved enormously with HRT. 48 is a very common age to start.

What was your actual TSH number? The Nice guidelines idea of 'normal' is much wider than in many other countries.

Ask for:

TSH
FT3
FT4
rT3
Anti TGO
Anti TBO
Thyroglobulin

What was your “normal” TSH?

Thanks all. TSH was 1.06.
I did speak to a GP about HRT, I'm quite keen to try it but I also all of a sudden have high cholesterol (it's been normal for ever). So given the increased cardiovascular risks with oestrogen I want to get this down first. I have a follow up cholesterol test in 3 months. If it's still high then I guess it's statins plus HRT. Ugh.
It looks like many of the symptoms of menopause mimic hypothyroidism. I haven't had any night sweats or hot flushes however. Definitely have the brain fog!!
I'm just trying to get a complete picture of what is going on before I medicate.

Thank you this is really helpful

Sudden higher cholesterol is also a peri symptom. I've had low cholesterol for my entire life until I hit peri. I also though it must be a thyroid issue but nope, it's peri.

Untreated or under treated hypothyroidism cause# high cholesterol and the guidelines for prescribing statins say that they shouldn't do so without checking thyroid function first and rectifying any defects

Bloody hell this thread is an eye opener. Why doesn't anyone TELL us this stuff?? Argh. Ok im going in armed with ALL the NICE guidelines. Thank you all !!

Also your TSH can be normal but you need to have your T3 and T4 numbers to say your thyroid is working properly.

Rising cholesterol is not a problem as long as the numbers are in balance. Total cholesterol is a meaningless number. Your HDL to Triglyceride ratio is the important number. LDL has no correlation with increased cardiovascular risk. Women especially need more cholesterol as we age. Especially in peri and menopause.

@LMNT this is really helpful thank you so much. Are you a medic by any chance? I'm not scientific in the slightest so I get a bit baffled but I do love a good checklist 😁