Abnormal thyroid results

[TodaysJessicaFletcher]

I have felt very odd for some time, mainly itching, neck pain, still achy body and very coarse hair.

i visited the drs and have received my blood result the other day. I have thyroid problem. And they have marked me as urgent but I’ve just seen my endocrine appointment is not till 16th November - that doesn’t seem very urgent to me or is this the wait??

my results were…

• Serum TSH: <0.01 mIU/L
• Serum free T4: 36.5 pmol/L
• Serum free T3: 17.3 pmol/L
• CRP: 13 mg/L
• ESR: 40 mm/hr
ferritin 266

i have been given a beta blocker but have only used it never, but tonight I’ve woken up and my pulse rate is quite high, should I take one now? And does anyone have any similar stories to mine they could share?

thank you!! Sorry if any typos

You are hyperthyroid and they need to both treat that and look for the underlying cause for long term management.

Are feeling more unwell this evening? If so I would consider calling 111 as in rare cases people can become thyrotoxic and symptoms can include tachycardia (fast heat rate).

If you feel well enough you could wait until the morning and contact your GP surgery. Even if your endocrine appt isn’t until November they can start treatment in the interim such as Carbimazole to help suppress the thyroid. If they aren’t sure they have a facility called Advice and Guidance where they contact specialties directly to ask for interim management advice.

Hope it gets sorted asap!

My heart just feels like it’s beating very fast, and what makes it more annoying is I have pulsatile tinnitus. I can wait till tomorrow, I have some more blood tests just would like them to treat it as soon as they can so I can start to feel better and fitter. Thanks for coming back to me that was very helpful 😊

And yes this evening I would take the b
blocker provided you aren’t dizzy, and then contact your surgery urgently first thing in the morning. Good luck!

Hi, sorry I have one more question, the dr wrote on my notes I’d have a TRAb test, but I only see the below on my form. Is this the TRAb or has it been missed off…just don’t want to have to skip work twice.

Gonadotrophins (LH/FSH)
Thyroid Profile (TSH, FT4)
Androgen Profile (Testosterone, SHBG, FAI)
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies

thanks again!!

Hi #Todays I had this.
Heart constantly racing,pulse thumping in my ears even while trying to sleep.Was horrendous.
My antibody test was negative so I had a special thyroid scan which showed a solitary autonomous nodule.I had thyroid blockers while awaiting treatment which was a single radioactive iodine capsule.Worked a treat,cured me quite quickly and left me with a normal thyroid,luckily.
I don't know about what happens if you have antibodies,I was told by endocrinologist if you have antibodies it can get better by itself sometimes.
Your blood order looks like an antibody test has been ordered but phone them to check? Good luck,main thing is take beta blocker if needed,and give anti thyroid meds 2 or 3 weeks to kick in and you'll feel better while you await diagnosis/treatment.

It’s what thyroid peroxidase antibodies means ☺️

IME thyroid antibody test results often take a little longer to come back than thyroid function tests.

I had Graves (overactive thyroid). Carbimazole got the symptoms under control. It did eventually come back after stopping the carbimazole and I needed radioactive iodine treatment. All good now. It's fortunately one of those conditions that is fairly straightforward to treat these days.

Sorry,just re-read and as #Doctordoolittle says,you will need a thyroid suppressant so if you don't have one I'd be phoning GP to ask about it.

Thanks all for coming back. I’ve had some more tests today and I have an appointment with the de on Wednesday so hopefully they’ll be able to give me something 😊

TRAb is anti-TSH receptor antibodies (test for Graves), TPO is different (used for hashimotos).

If you’ve had the bloods done already (today) I’d contact GP to make them aware TRAbs not on the request and they should be able to add them on without need for another sample.

Even if your endocrine appt isn’t until November they can start treatment in the interim such as Carbimazole to help suppress the thyroid. If they aren’t sure they have a facility called Advice and Guidance where they contact specialties directly to ask for interim management advice.

hopefully this happens, asap and you’ll start to feel better

OP I had the same symptoms and was diagnosed with Graves. On a positive note I took the meds for 18 months and I’m now absolutely fine - no further action ( get yearly blood tests.) I felt so unwell it was a great marker for menopause symptoms (nothing has felt as bad as the Graves.)

My husband was diagnosed with this 3 weeks ago. He's much better now taking propranolol 40 mg three times daily and carbimazole 40 mg daily. The GP needs to liaise with endocrinologist and get go ahead to prescribe which our GP did by phoning the on call endocrinologist.

Our urgent appointment will be over 10 weeks so it's good to get started.

Our lab automatically adds the Trab antibodies when it gets a result suggesting hyperthyroidism.
My husband's heart rate was 74 up from 60 normally. His heart was beating so loudly. The b blocker calmed this down. Even after 3 days of b blockers he was a lot better. The GP phoned the hospital the day we saw him with the results and we had the meds by lunchtime. He's stopped losing weight now and is putting it back on and we are only 2.5 weeks into treatment. Good luck.

@TodaysJessicaFletcher
We got a cancellation for today for my husband so 2.5 weeks after referral.
Not a lot changed having had the appointment as he's already on carbimazole and Propranolol following discussion with the on call endocrinologist when we first saw the GP. it's definitely Graves disease so no further investigation and just need to stay on the medication with regular bloods until it settles and then reduce the drugs.
So your GP should be able to get advice by phoning or by the advice and guidance system that England has(we are in Scotland) but please get on the beta blockers you will feel a lot better.

It’s interesting reading all your messages. I had further tests and my levels have risen again and the TRAb came back at 9.75. I’m seeing the dr today so hopefully he’ll give me the medication so I can get it sorted.

I'm glad you got the result back quickly.GP will hopefully prescribe meds to make you feel better very soon.
I remember when I went through hyperthyroidism, I thought I was going mad! First two doctors said I was stressed and anxious,this went on for months till a doctor tested my thyroid!
You will be okay now you have a diagnosis.Good luck!

Well, the update is that the de says he’s not allowed to prescribe me anything other than propanol and unless I’m literally at bursting point (not sure how to describe that) that I have to wait until 17th November. I wish he’d just taken my no and pulse rate cos I’m steaming now. My body aches, I have palpitations but not to the extent I need an and e o itch all over and my neck is painful. I’m so annoyed.

That's not right.He should have given you anti thyroid meds. Can you call him or send an econsult? He can consult with A and G,this might take a while though.Does he understand how much you are suffering? Definitely follow this up.

I'd go back and say that yes, you are at bursting point! Did you ask about them contacting Endocrinology for advice and guidance in the meantime?

My Graves relapse was a few years ago now, but the GP called the on call endocrinology reg the day he got the results and I was on carbimazole by the end of the day.

Eta that I would say that you are concerned about the risk of thyroid storm by leaving you unmedicated for so long.

I was just writing another ranty email, and he has literally just phoned saying he’s spoke to a cardiologist at guys and they can give me the carbimazole!!

Good result, glad he got there eventually! Maybe he read this thread? 🤣

Hahaha maybe!!! 🤣🤣 thanks everyone!!!

@TodaysJessicaFletcherdid your GP tell you if you get a very sore throat you should have your blood count checked that day as there is a very rare side effect of marrow suppression from carbimazole. I've never seen it but it was always a knee jerk, yes get your bloods done today if patients phone with this problem. Also severe central upper abdominal pain can be pancreatitis also extremely rare but not to be ignored. My GP told me the first but not the second (which I didn't know either as a GP) and the hospital doctor told us both today.

If you don't see the hospital before November you need your bloods checking at 6 weeks and your carbimazole dose may need adjusting on advice from endocrinology. (You said cardiologist but I'm assuming the GP meant endocrinologist)

So keep a diary of dates.

Oh Phew! #Today's Jessica- Sounds like a communication thing then.Once the Carbimazole kicks in you will start feeling yourself again.Well done on ranty email though!!