Blood results post hemithyroidectmy - advice appreciated.

[Cookielass]

Looking for some advice and guidance.

Background story! No thyroid problems at all before hemi (May 2013), it was removed for possible cancerous risk ( I was lucky it was benign)

and the largest of 2 nodules (4cm) was strangling me!

I feel awful quite a lot of the time, very tired, fussy eyes, dizzy, very, very bad brain fog, mood swings, scalloped tongue, heavy periods to name a few symptoms.

Dr is treating me for low ferritin (30 last time they checked blood) but I have been on Iron tablets for over 3 months but my symptoms still remain.

Dr says thyroid is fine, where do I go from here, any comments on my results would be fantastic, anymore help is much appreciated this website is a fabulous facility!

Pre hemithyroidectomy 18/9/12

TSH .095 (0.5-3.9)

Free Thyroxine 17 (10-19)

18/9/13 TSH 2.63 (0.5-3.9)

Free Thyroxine 16 (10-19)

10/1/14 TSH 1.45 (0.5-3.9)

Free Thyroxine 15 (10-19)

[Clutter]

It's assumed that the remaining lobe will pick up the slack of the hemi. It didn't feel as if mine did but I don't have labs from then to confirm. I'm assuming you aren't on thyroid medication?

Your labs look ok but I'd really like to know what your FT3 is? From your symptoms, which are consistent with hypothyroid, I'd bet your FT3 is low or below range.

Is there any chance your GP would agree to test FT3 and lean on the lab to produce the test even though your TSH and FT4 are in range? If he refuses you can get a home test finger prick test for FT3 from Blue Horizon via the TUK site (quote TUK10 for discount).

You should also ask your GP for vitD, B12 and folate to be tested. These may be deficient or low in range, particularly if you have absorption/gut issues. Make sure you take your iron with 500mg-1000mg vitC to aid absorption. Any of these being deficient can make you feel very unwell.

Ideally your GP would treat your symptoms and prescribe a trial of Levothyroxine for 3 months to see if your symptoms reduce or resolve.

[Cookielass in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter

No I'm on no meds other than the iron tablets, is it likely the low iron is caused by the thyroid too?

I have to go back see the ENT for check up after the surgery ( think they forgot about me) so maybe they will be more sympathetic if not will go back to gp.

Many thanks for reply .

[mowgli72]

Your story is very similar to mine. Since my half was removed 2012 (thankfully it was benign like yourself) I too have slowly become hypo. My gp thinks its subclinical thyroiditis. After a year of managing on no thyroxine meds ive now been put on 25mg of levothyroxine by my gp and awaiting an ENT appointment. (Which is taking forever)

I have all the same symptoms as yourself. My last tsh 4 weeks ago was 5.8. Im on ferriton and calcium supplements. It does sound like your other half of thyroid is not picking up the slack. Ive had throat problems since dec..hard to swallow at times. Im hoping it can be remedied by proper dosage of meds. Speak to your doc for a referel back to ENT. Good luck x

[Cookielass in reply to mowgli72]

I have the ENT for a check up post surgery next month so will go armed with list ( I would forget as soon as I walk in!)

Thanks good luck with your referral

[Clutter in reply to mowgli72]

Make sure you take your Levo 4 hours away from iron and calcium and one hour before food or two hours after. An empty stomach is best for proper absorption.

Your TSH indicates you are hypothyroid, nothing sub clinical about it. Your GP should raise your levo to 50mcg and then 75mcg until your TSH is between 1 and 1.5. He doesn't have to let you become ill while you wait to see ENT.

[shaws Administrator]

This is a link which may be helpful.

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

[Cookielass]

Is it normal for the TSH to fluctuate ?

[mowgli72]

Thank you clutter for your reply. I'm going back to see the doctor in the morning. I called for my latest blood results and the receptionist said they came back normal! Not sure what normal is anymore. Lol. I will ask if im supposed to continue with the calcium and iron? I know im probably on levothyroxine for life now though. I think the doctor is trying to keep me on a small doze till my ENT appointment. They said it could be an 18 week wait. Im getting used to living in distress and discomfort...its becoming my new norm. Cookielass my tsh has went from 5.8 to 6.3 within a week. 4 weeks later im now getting told they are normal! I think it can fluctuate at times. I'll post my 'normal' results tomorrow. Take care guys xx

[eeng]

Were your blood tests taken first thing in the morning? It's clear you have a gradually falling T4 level (17, 16, 15...) so your Thyroid is producing less and less hormone.

[Cookielass in reply to eeng]

Hi eeng

Yes taken at roughly same time 8.10am to 8.30am. Why would you think my tsh would fluctuate ? Thanks

[HarryE in reply to Cookielass]

Yes, it has a noticeable circadian rhythm. Someone posted a graph recently. It will be higher first thing in the morning, but higher still in the middle of the night, although I guess you can't get a blood test then

[Cookielass in reply to HarryE]

It's hard enough getting the dr to do a blood test during morning I have no chance of a night time one hahaha!!

[HarryE in reply to Cookielass]

Well I have wondered about getting a private finger prick test so I can get up at 2am & do it!

[Cookielass in reply to HarryE]

Now that's a plan!!! Is it expensive to do the private test? Would my dr listen if i took them the results though hmm

[HarryE in reply to Cookielass]

He should as the labs recommended by ThyroidUK are reputable. If you go to the main site you can see what is available. Blue Horizon & Genova are the main ones. Full thyroid panel is about £100 depending what you include.

[Cookielass in reply to HarryE]

Thank you will go have a look I case I get no where at ENT appointment