Thyroid Function Blood Test Borderline results

[Nanamou]

hello. Just a quick question, after an appointment with my doctor regarding back ache, extreme tiredness, unintentional weight gain of nearly 2 stone dispite eating less and exercising more. I have been told my blood results were borderline and to make an appointment with the GP to discuss. The receptionist would not give any results only that the doctor would discuss them and they were borderline and nothing to worry about. Since then, I researched low thyroid and realise that my chronic dry hands, headache, cold feet and hands, constipation amongst other irrelevant ailments could be due to my thyroid. Can anyone suggest what the doctor would recommend for me and if I need to pursue any further testing without sounding like a hypochondriac.! Also my auntie has been diagnosed with low thyroid and is on medication for life. Not sure about any other relatives yet. My sister is a type 1 diabetic. Thanks in advance for any help.

[madmel43]

I've had an under active thyroid for 25+yrs, getting your thyroid levels right can take some time, you may get thyroxine tablets to raise your levels, but most likely if you're borderline, the GP will probably ask you to come back in a few weeks or months for more blood tests to check your thyroid levels again, I hope you aren't afraid of needles as you will start to feel like a pin cushion with all the regular blood tests to monitor your thyroid levels, lol! the best advice I can give is, if you do get thyroxine to take, you must take it regularly as if you miss any your levels will drop, and you'll have to start all over again. my levels have been up and down for years, and it can affect your mood and energy, getting the right balance is tricky and can take a while, but its probably like the GP just wants to monitor you for a bit first. eat well and excersise all helps! good luck

[Nanamou in reply to madmel43]

thanks for your reply

[cyberbarn]

I went into my GP with pain in my hands, and on a whim he asked if I had ever had my thyroid checked. I hadn't so we did, and it turned out that my thyroid wasn't producing enough thyroxine. I like you then took a look at myself and realised that I had other symptoms too which I hadn't really noticed.

I am on thyroxine now and things are much easier. My levels aren't stable yet, my thyroid is still producing a little bit, so blood tests every 6 months, but I can tell now when things aren't right. One of the big side effects has been less pain in my hands! My GP said that sometimes pain from arthritis lessens when hypothyroidism is treated.

And once you get into the habit taking a little tablet every day is easy. It is important to take it on an empty stomach, and some people find first thing in the morning is good, however for others it is last thing at night. We eat early in our house and go to bed at the same time every day, so night works for me.

You probably won't need any other testing than for your TSH levels. There is lots of misinformation out there about T3 and T4 but often when people say their thyroxine isn't working, it is because they are not good at taking it every day at the same time. however if the cause is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, as your thyroid shuts down, you will need more thyroxine, and that can take a couple of years, so be prepared for some ups and downs.

So go with what the GP says, follow the instructions, see how the symptoms go. and be prepared for a couple of years of getting the dose right.