Newly diagnosed hypothyroidism- please tell me what's next

[TessaF008]

I recently did a private blood test which shows I have hypothyroidism, so I've made an appointment to see my GP.
The issue is I have HUGE anxiety when it comes to going to the doctors and having medicals tests so it would be very helpful to know exactly what might happen at my appointment and how subsequent tests will proceed. Will it just be a matter of having more blood tests and then putting me on medication? Or will there be any physical tests involved in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism? Knowing in advance helps me to manage my anxiety. Sorry if this seems really silly.

They may do another blood test so they have their own results or they may accept yours. They may send you for an ultrasound of your thyroid and they will put you on levothyroxine usually a low dose then do another blood test in 3 months this will continue until you are at a level their happy with then you will get 6 monthly blood tests after that. Just to also let you know with hypothyroidism you can get a medical exemption so you get all your prescriptions free.

@feelingbleh thank you for this, that's helpful. In what instance would they send me for an ultrasound of my thyroid? This is making me nervous 😓

@TessaF008 it would be very rare for an NHS GP to order an ultrasound on your thyroid. This is a very common condition unfortunately and as PP said, the most likely scenario by far is blood test, put you on medication, then do another blood test in a few months. It’s very straightforward.
I’ve had hypothyroidism for 20+ years and never had anything other than blood tests.

I’ve only ever had blood tests and started on a low dose of thyroxine which was gradually increased after the initial period it has just been annual blood tests for 20 years

Must not be standard for ultrasound I just assumed it was as I was sent for one but my tsh did suddenly go ridiculously high it went from borderline to I think about 84 pretty much overnight so it might of been that. Or it may be because I have a complicated medical history. But sounds like its not the norm so I wouldn't worry about that part

@feelingbleh that is pretty drastic mine was only 20 something when I was diagnosed

They had been monitoring for about a year and it was borderline then its like it just suddenly went my gp sent me for a 2nd blood test as he didn't think it was accurate but it came back the same then I was medicated but this is probably why I was sent for a scan. It did come down really quickly with medication though and the scan came back fine

I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroid (Graves) in my early 20's. They scanned my thyroid. I have never had a scan since then. I eventually had radioactive iodine treatment which made me Hypo so I now take Levothyroxine (synthetic thyroxine) every day. I only need to have 1 blood test done every year just to check the levels but they haven't fluctuated since my youngest son was born, 18 years ago.

I was diagnosed with hashimotos so maybe that's why I had the scan then, I honestly don't know i just assumed it was procedure

I’ve not had an ultrasound on my thyroid.

the medication is fine with no side effects as long as the dose is right as it’s replacing a hormone your body is lacking.

I have annual blood tests to ensure the dose is still correct. Once you have the diagnosis you can claim a medical exemption and get all your medication (not just the thyroxine) for free. Your GP admin can advise as the GP has to sign the form as evidence.

Ive honestly found it is easily managed with little impact on my life.

I was diagnosed in my 40's never had a scan of my thyroid - just blood tests.
As others have said, you can expect more frequent blood tests while your initial dose of tablets is sorted out and once it's stable then annual blood tests.

I never really gave it any thought, maybe dependent on consultant. I remember at the time my mum saying they were probably just being thorough. Never had any scan on my thyroid since but it has been very stable for decades now.

Iv had a few. I had one recently as my numbers are of again but im not quite sure why it was completely fine again. Iv never questioned it as I thought it was standard but I will be asking next time now

Agreed. It is a complete non-factor in my life tbh.

I was recently diagnosed with Hashimotos (well doc didn't call it that but it's autoimmune so it must be) I also have major anxiety so I know how you feel. I actually went to the doctors with some vague symptoms and mentioned I thought I might be hypo but I'm usually wrong so I was far from expecting to actually be right about it. Anyway, so I had a thyroid test and a general blood test. I got asked to repeat the test and that sent me into a massive spiral thinking they'd found something else wrong with my bloods. I didn't know it was just another thyroid test. That was a worrying time.

Anyway so yes there are two tests for the thyroid because they have to check for something that points towards hypothyroidism (if it's autoimmune) then do another test to confirm. Something about antibodies being present I think? Others will know the info and I'm sure will correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm borderline for meds (around 10 TSH) so prescribed levo and just have to test again in 3 months. I didn't have to have a scan and the doctor was very "this is nothing at all to worry about". I hope this puts your mind at ease a bit. I have major health anxiety and this thyroid thing has not really been a focus at all. Which is so ironic because it's the only thing that's actually physically "wrong" with me and I don't even care but just goes to show how anxiety messes with you!

They will probably start you on 50mcg like I was and then adjust it if necessary.

Also if you do need an ultrasound it's not the end of the world! Simple, quick, non invasive and AFAIK no side effects....I mean pregnant women have them all the time and they're usually uber cautious where pregnancy is involved.

DH and I both have hypothyroidism. Yearly blood test, take a little pill first thing in the morning, that’s it. A few more blood tests initially to get the dose right. No scans needed, the PP who had one is unusual.
As medical conditions go, for most people it’s a complete non-event once you’re on an appropriate dose of levothyroxine.

They will probably do their own blood tests.

I did a private blood test recently that showed some issues with folate and vitamins D and levels being out of range. the drs wanted their own blood tests, did them and apparent not our of range for the NHS!

Thank you for starting this thread Op and to all those who’ve contributed so far.

I’m very newly diagnosed, last week in fact and have been put on 25mg of levothyroxine, I’m just 5 days in, so really early days.

I’m experiencing some of the symptoms described by pp, but thankfully not all, mine are just the fatigue, memory loss, mood swings, irritability, constipation, tiredness. I’m already on statins for high cholesterol and am through the menopause and no longer on HRT.

I’m booked in for my next blood test in February but I’ve just checked my previous results and there’s nothing showing for vitamin levels, so I’ll ask for these to be tested.

Thanks so much to pp for the links to helpful websites, I’ll be doing some reading and research as I haven’t been given any information by my practice. My diagnosis was given by a locum over the phone so I haven’t even been seen by a GP yet but I will be requesting an appointment to ask questions,