Does this sound like Hashi's? Hypo symptoms for a few months then suddenly overheating and sleeping badly.

[koneko]

For the last few months I've been super tired, always cold, sky dry and peely and very forgetful, lethargic and have had trouble concentrating. I went to the doctors as I suspected thyroid issues and had bloods done, my TSH came out at 3.06 (0.5 - 5).

On Thursday evening I got a really nasty headache that started behind my left eye and spread out across the top half of my face, down the right side of my head by my ear and down my left shoulder and arm. I couldn't shift it with paracetamol or sleeping and still had it the next morning. On Friday afternoon it still hadn't gone and I ended up taking 2 cocodamol which I thought had done the trick but it came back worse later on in the evening. I went to bed with it still thumping away but by some miracle I woke on yesterday with the headache gone and feeling pretty good, it was also only 7.30am and I woke naturally - something that has not happened in months.

All day I felt pretty good, didn't feel cold etc or as tired as I had done in previous weeks. In the evening I had diahorrea, which is also odd as I'd been very constipated most of the time before. During the night I overheated constantly, kept waking up for a drink and to get out from under the covers. All day today I've felt too hot, which makes a change from being so cold but I've been sat in the house in a t-shirt and it hasn't even been a sunny day - its quite cold outside. The last few weeks I've needed a t-shirt, long sleeved top, fleece jumper and a blanket to keep warm.

I wondered if this could be Hashi's and I could have gone a bit hyper. Will see how tonight goes in terms of sleep/warmth.

[Clutter]

Hashimoto's can cause you to swing from hypo to hyper.

Ask for Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies to be tested. If they are positive (>30 I think), thyroiditis (Hashi's) is confirmed. Some GPs won't treat hypothyroidism until TSH is 10 but RCP guidelines state thyroxine replacement should begin when TSH is 5 when autoimmune antibodies are present.

[p1d2n3m4 in reply to Clutter]

i was 9 tsh and am now 10 but told i am ok,no more tests.So how is that? Still struggling.Only get about an hours sleep from about 8am in the morning

[Clutter in reply to p1d2n3m4]

No way can you be ok with TSH 9. I can only recommend you see a different GP at your practice or find another GP altogether.

Next time you have a blood test take it as early as possible in the morning as TSH is higher earlier and may tip you over TSH 10 which your GP appears to be waiting for.

In the meantime, if your GP doubts your symptoms are thyroid related, he needs to investigate what is causing your symptoms.

[p1d2n3m4 in reply to Clutter]

thanks for answering.didnt think anyone was seeing anything i write. My free t4 was 2.7,tsh 10,didnt do t3 this time. In august 2013 tsh was 3.5,free t4 was 10,t3 was 1.6. in 2012 tsh was 2.8,free t4 was 9, Did have a test for hashimotos a few yrs back and it was ok.Have tried different doctors and it is just the same.Trying to do acrenal test but difficult to do as i need to have had a sleep. Sometimes get an hour or so but at different times in night.So test can only work if i awake in morning,around normal times which i am not.Doctors say im fine but i dont feel fine.Tests were done early.

[Clutter in reply to p1d2n3m4]

It's best to post your own Question as more will see it. Please get copies of your blood tests with lab ref ranges and post them in a new Question.

I would not accept 'no more testing'. With TSH 10 you have thyroid disease and FT4 2.7 is far too low to convert suffiently to T3. If your GP won't treat you, request referral to an endocrinologist and insist your request is noted on your medical notes and look around for another GP.

Apart from feeling dreadfully ill, untreated thyroid disease increases your risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.

[p1d2n3m4 in reply to Clutter]

Thankyou for that. Are you in Scotland as i am going to have a problem as been told that here they believe the testing is accurate and have heard it is not. I did ask before to see an endocrinologist but was told "no" there was nothing wrong. The range Tsh - 0.2-4.5, i am 2.7. free t4 - 9-21. as i said i am 10. I think all the doctors are going to be the same. All certainly that i have gone to in my surgery anyway.

[Clutter in reply to p1d2n3m4]

Diagnosis and treatment protocols are the same throughout the UK (I'm in London). Lab ref ranges vary across the UK but you are more than double the range for your local lab and qualify as hypothyroid and need medication, as demonstrated by your FT4 being so low and below range.

If another GP in your practice does not accept that you need treatment I really urge you to switch to another practice. Have you spoken to your practice manager? They can often pave the way when one has difficulties with GPs.

[HarryE in reply to p1d2n3m4]

I think you need to check your results again. You've said your tsh was 10, but now said it was 2.7 and that your t4 is 10????

[p1d2n3m4 in reply to HarryE]

sorry so very tired as not getting a sleep. tsh 2.7, free t4 10

[HarryE in reply to p1d2n3m4]

That's ok. As clutter said, I think you would be better starting a new question of your own, with all your results/symptoms. You are more likely to get responses to your own issues then x

[Jackie]

Hi It is most important that you have T4 and Free T3 tested too. TSH is n ot a reliable guide, various things can cause it to b e low but you may still have thyroid disease.

I would also ask for a Hb1Ac test for diabetes, autoimmune and hormonal with similar symptoms.

Jackie

[p1d2n3m4 in reply to Jackie]

wouldnt do t3 this time. diabetes checked - on form dont know about hb1ac test. b12 was 15.9. Not sure what other things on form mean - no more tests they say. mentioned seeing a psychologist - upsset. dont have that problem,just feel terrible. On top of that i have post herpetic neuralgia as was not diagnosed as having it in my head. Suffered and still suffering with the pain and crawley sensations after nearly 17 yrs

[Jackie in reply to p1d2n3m4]

Hi First thing ask for a print out of blood results from receptionist, with ranges ( all differ). Never heard of that as a B12 test, it is in 100 `s, and must be high in range.Sounds like they just did a glucose test, not so good but have the result+ ranges, may be borderline, 5, in that case ask for another one.You need not only TSH, T4 and FT3, vit D ( hormonal ) calcium if D low, cholesterol ( thyroid related often), iron/ferritin , needs to be quite high in range. I suspect that was what was done. GP will not treat over 10 but needs a boost, try Spatone, sachet, very safe, cheapest Tesco or amazon.

Still common to send patients to a psyche, means do not know, pass the buck!Often thyroid.

Say that you will see one, if the GP will also refer you to a n Endo, you need to chose a good one yourself, first as vary. Psychologist not even a medical doctor. psychiatrist often better with thyroid than GP as a\ware that it may be the problem.

If GP will not help can you use Blue Horizon , on line, DIY, well known Lab to docs ,so accept the results.Do not use a private hospital, very expensive.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[koneko]

I've had diabetes test which came back negative, also checked for anaemia which I don't have either. T4 and FT3 weren't done unfortunately and the lab refused to test for antibodies because my TSH wasn't above the range!

[Clutter in reply to koneko]

Make sure your test first thing in the morning when TSH is highest. However, if your symptoms have swung to hyper your TSH will be falling.

You can have a private home test via Blue Horizon to test for antibodies. Details are on TUK main site. Remember to quote TUK10 for discount.