I really need some advice please.

[earthmutha]

Hi,

This is the best site im so glad I found it, its full of information and has really helped me but im

a bit confused about my health which is going down hill again and im not imagining it like my

GP thinks .....In1997 aged 27 I had a TT. Was suffering from Graves for years before I was

finally diagnosed. I take 100mcg Levo daily in the morning. I also take beta blockers and an

anti depressant mirtazapine ( at night ). In the last few years I have noticed my eyes are odd

and have noticed a lagging eyelid. I was referred for this but they don't do anything i just keep going for check ups.

I feel really tired and lacking in energy, my muscles are weak, brain foggy and have all the

usual hypo feelings. My GP says my last function test earlier this year was normal so I must be fine. No im not!!

I have also developed IBS and have now been diagnosed with an abscess in my bowel (yuk!!!) so am taking antibiotics.

So my question is....Can all this bowel illness be due to what Ive thought all along, that I need more thyroxine or T3,??!! which ive never heard of until today!!.

How will I find out if I can try T3 ? I really need some advice.

Thanks in advance.

[shaws Administrator]

I think a referral to an Endo or private doctor would be wise. I am not medically qualified but, as far as I know, if you are hypothyroid and undermedicated other more serious conditions can arise. Many GP's keep us within the reference range when most of us feel better with a TSH of 1 or below, but the TSH is only a guide it doesn't tell the medical profession our symptoms or how ill we are (more's the pity).

It is good that you are now are able to realise that you need to know more about your condition. I was the same as you before I was diagnosed - thought the doctors would know how best to treat me but I found out differently and ended up knowing more than my GP and have eventually got better.

If you email louise,[e-mail] she has a list of NHS Endos and private doctors and there may be one near you.

In theory, levothyroxine also known as T4 should convert to enough T3 to keep our metabolism normal but many are poor at converting or may be sensitive to the binders/fillers in levothyroxine (I was). (T4 is the inactive hormone and T3 is the active one which keeps us alive, so is the most important thyroid gland hormone.

Also research has been done in the UK in which it was found that 50% were still having hypothyroid symptoms on levothyroxine.

PS I had to take betablockers whilst on levo but as soon as I switched, no more palpitations, ECGs etc etc. I hope you find the same.

[Moggie]

Have you ever been tested for any gut issue and/or VitD, B12, Iron, ferritin and folates. If you are low in any of the above your thyroid meds may not work as well as they should and if you have gut issues the same would apply.

As Shaws has said, ask for a referral to an endo but possible do your homework first and find a good endo in your area before you ask the GP, that way you can go to him with a name to be referred to.

Have a look in the hospital section at the top of this page to see if anyone has commented on endo's in your area - if not I would google your local hospitals and read up on them. What you don't want is to get the referral and then end up with an endo who specialises in diabetes.

Moggie x

[nostoneunturned]

The main site:

thyroiduk.org

has a mass of valuable information about thyroid issues.