Who do I contact regarding help with possible thyroid problems?

[kab2014]

I asked to be tested in August 2013 for thyroid levels after going to a health screening and being told my thyroid kept coming up in every program they ran.My results were TSH - 1.2 (0.3-5.6) and T4 10.9 (7.8-14.4), I was told they were "normal" so i carried on wth life. I had, at that point, only a few of the usual thyroid symtoms for a while....cold extremities, IBS. Since the end of september I have had lots of symtoms develop, including, joint tendency (now shooting pains), periods are seriously affected (only lasting 2 days!!), Depression, anxiety, weak, fatigue, mental sluggishness etc! I visted the doctor again, they would only test for TSH as it was all "normal" 4 months before!!! results were 1.69 (0.35-5.50). they also carried out folate and vit D as well, these were lower than the range. The doctors have told me to take supplements but they cannot help me no further!

I still suffer with all of the above, only some are worse, helping eating and supplements have not made that much difference. Can lack of folate and vit D on its own cause of these symptoms?

If not where do I go from here? Do I order a home blood kit and send it off..then what happens...will doctors listen to your results? Do I attend a clinic for integrated medicine....see how they can help, but they are very expensive! Any recommendations?

[shaws Administrator]

Here is some info. Once upon a time (before the blood tests were introduced) patients clinical symptoms and history were taken into account and given a trial of a thyroid gland hormone. Nowadays, they diagnose only by the TSH and don't take notice of your clinical symptoms.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

You will get a surprise when you read the interpretation etc.

You can get private blood tests if GP wont do them and someone will advise the best ones to get.

You can email [e-mail] who has a list of private doctors.

Always get a copy of your blood test results, with the ranges, so that you can post them here if you have a query. Your symptoms do sound hypo.

[kab2014]

Many thanks for this information