Levo 50mcg info sheet says adrenal test should be done. Am 5 weeks into Levo.

[siskin]

I have to have a 24 hr. urine test for calcium/creatine ratio. I asked GP for cortisol test to be done at the same time.

I was told no because that is for Cushings,

What tests should my GP be providing to meet the levo. criteria please?

[PinkNinja]

He should be doing a cortisol test. If you have low cortisol (Addison's as opposed to Cushing's) you will have trouble converting the thyroxine or you may find that you still have symptoms even when you are on the right dose of thyroxine. Low cortisol can also cause TSH to be lower than is representative of your thyroid hormone levels as it disrupts the hypothalamus/pituitary/thyroid feedback mechanism.

He should also check serum iron and ferritin. There is some evidence to suggest that iron is important for the body to be able to use thyroxine properly. It is also a sensible precaution because, should your symptoms persist once on the right dose of thyroxine, low iron could be one of the causes.

I would also recommend B12 and folate and vitamin D as people with hypothyroidism tend to be low in these. Don't hold your breath though. My hearing has deteriorated and I was told I had to get a hearing test at boots before they would refer me back to ENT. I have had life-long ear problems!

I hope you do get the tests. Some people are finding their GPs will do them so hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones.

Carolyn x

[tingles in reply to PinkNinja]

Thanks for a great straight forward reply Carolyn, helped me x

[siskin in reply to PinkNinja]

Thank you Carolyn, sadly my GP is a no no person. Am only on trial Levo cos. ENT suggested it. I saw him privately cos. nasal probs.

xcuse shand as riddlled with RA and fibro pain at moment.

[Heloise]

stopthethyroidmadness.com/r...

[siskin in reply to Heloise]

Heloise thank you very much for the link. The cortisol link part was so very interesting.

I feel I may have had a problem for many yrs.

Seem to have spent all of my life in a state of high alert and apprehensive. Maternal grandmother died 2 weeks before I was born, grew up during the blitz in London. Went to a very strict school, afraid to breath. Married at 21 to an alcoholic, unpredictable, subject to mental abuse and threatened violence. Homelessness. Problems with adolescent son.

Redundancies followed then loss of job due to RA and problems with aging parents, now deceased, I feel my adrenals must be completely kn*****ed.

I tried to explain this to my Dr. but she wasn't interested. I am going to show her your article because I am now sure I really need help.

Thanks again Heloise

[Heloise in reply to siskin]

siskin, you certainly qualify for a stress filled life which unfortunately is kind of the sign of the times. I'm curious about why you had a creatine/calcium test. Do you have muscle issues? You mention RA which is also an autoimmune condition. Are you still struggling with that? Our food systems are going all wrong with additives and genetic modification and then we may not be eating for our metabolic type. It's no wonder our bodies cannot live up to expectations.

Are you going to try to have the saliva test?

I do believe in healing and I hope you do as well.

[siskin in reply to Heloise]

Heloise, please see below, posted in wrong box.

[siskin]

Hi Heloise, the urine bottle says on it cal/creatine 24 hr. urine. It seems the lab picked up on a high over range calcium levels. Dr seemed puzzled as she said something about lab had made an error.on the calcium test.

I think that ratio is one of the tests for kidney function. Real GFR rather than the eGFR from serum Not sure about that. Blood test for parathyroid has also been ordered.

Have had the RA 18 yrs.that in itself seems quiet, but yes a lot of muscle problems, feel so weak have a job to turn over in bed. My arm muscles almost non existent. Thighs seem o.k. physically but poor functionally if that makes sense.

I feel there is a lot going on but no-one listens or "thinks outside the box" as they say. Consultants seem to just read read what previous ones have said and rephrase it and back to GP. With feel this patient is depressed, suggest small dose of Amytryptaline

I feel if you have something like RA that is an excuse for everything as if you have a label tied to your lapel. If you add a 2nd label saying age 75 then that seems to imply deaf and or daft and get spoken to like a small child. "Come along dear".

Yes Heloise am asking for saliva test if not done will get it privately.

Regard.s siskin