Thyroid - I need to sound like I have some idea of what I'm talking about

[PrettyCandles]

and not like someone who's done her research on Google! (Of course MN is far better than Google )

About this time last year the GP thought that I might have an underactive thyroid. She had me tested for a million-and-one things. Everything came out well within normal range, including thyroid, but female hormones were all over the place. Diagnosis: peri-menopause (wasn't surprising, really). I've been on HRT for 6m now, and it has been brilliant.

However I'm still tired, despite generally sleeping well, still have dry skin, still losing hair, and I think that my weight is creeping up.

Tomorrow I'm going for my 6m HRT review, and I want the GP to test me for underactive thyroid again. I don't know exactly what test she did previously, but my understanding is that the standard NHS test is TSH. I've heard that it can sometimes give a false result, ie it can come out normal even if the thyroid is not functioning normally. Is this right?

There are other tests that I've come across while Googling (and MNing), FT3 and FT4, but what do they test?

Is there such a thing as 'borderline' underactive thyroid? Can thyroid function fluctuate?

bump

Nobody?

I do know that thyroid can change fairly quickly. SIL sailed through a thyroid check one year and then twelve months later had virtually no thyroid function (the doctor was impressed by how low her levels were).

the standard test is TFT - thyroid function test. It checks the levels of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and FT3 or FT4 (thyroid hormones).
you can be borderline and have symptoms of under or overactive thyroid even if your results are still within range.
Thyroid function can fluctuate.

have a look at this before you speak to your GP. Good luck!

There is such a thing as borderline, my thyroid tests came back as borderline overactive

But gp isnt going to treat it until i have had another test as i do believe they can be inconsistance, i also heard (on here) that is is best to get tested first thing in the morning (although i cant remember why)

TSH levels are highest in the morning, therefore you should try and get tested then. Highest at 2am, lowest at 2pm, I think it is.

mangoandlime, so if i am borderline overactive i should get my TSH dont at 2pm?

i had them done at 9am last time and TSH was 0.15

I have a hyperactive thyroid and the first test was borderline overactive and the second test 4 weeks later was seriously overactive with very little traceable TSH at all. Things can change very suddenly so do chase them to re-test especially if borderline.

VinegarTits, I think that's right, yes. I'm certainly no expert though, from my thread last week I learnt a lot from other posters, I think Leonie Delt told me about that one. I did change my blood trest from afternoon to morning though, just for the best chance really.

i think i am going to go and get re tested this week, and will go in the afternoon, as i am sick of feeling unwell

(sorry for hijack op)

it's a laff, isn't it! Sorry to hijack too, PC! DRs are so results led too. They see the results are within 'normal range'..(which I'm sure they must up change at a whim to suit themselves ) then don't look at you with all these symptoms. Yes, I MUST be imagining all this....the results can't lie.

GP thought it was a good idea to retest, and although the test form merely lists Thyroid Function Test, she reeled of a list of items from her screen that I think included TSH, T3 and T4, so hopefully it will be a clear result.

I think I shall be a little peeved if it is not underacgtive thyroid, as that is so treatable and I am so bleurghily not myself. Also I have just started CBT for depression, and I want to give it the best chance to work, so need any physical stuff sorted out first.

Am also going to hsopital for the bloods, as GP surgery doesn't have an appointment availablke for 3 weeks

So nice to have a sensible GP again, and not have to fight tooth-and-nail for everything any more.

I am glad you got a decent GP PrettyCandles - yes form does only offer TFT so free T3 (FT3) freeT4(FT4) need to be listed seperately or they are not tested for. Hopefully you will get some answers.

I was testing as borderline underactive for about 15 years since I was 15, in that time I felt depressed and lethargic, finally after my third child I convinced the doctor to treat me, he put me on 50mcg (a low dose) and I felt normal within weeks. I do still get symptomatic sometimes, doctor again is not keen to up my dose, so he keeps testing me until my levels come in as borderline. It is a battle but my doctor did accept that what was normal for other people wasnt necassarily normal for me and listened to my symptoms.

How long does it take to feel different once you start taking thyroxine?

What happens if you try thyroxine and you don't actually have an underactive thyroid?