Waiting for thyroid tests. What if they show normal . .?

[Ivyfoy]

8 yrs ago I was postpartum hypothyroid. I've alwYs suspected Id been hypo for yrs but when gps have ordered tests previously based on Symptoms and goitre they've been normal. I was tested 6 mths later and was told bloods were normal again.

2 years ago when tested again, I was borderline (TSH: 3.40 T4: 12.3) Was sent for ultrasound on goitre but they said thyroid measured normal on scan despite GP thinking it was def enlarged. So I was sent away.

Symptoms now got worse so went back to GP. She said she would have prescribed treatment 2 yrs ago based on blood results but requested more bloods.

I am really hoping the results are outside of range as I really want to try meds to improve symptoms.

If I get sent away again, will be so upset. Any tips on how to progress things if results show all OK?

[Hidden]

Rule no 1, never let an nhs gp tell u your results are normal. Always get a copy and post results here. I need suppressed tsh to feel well so i self medicate ( i have hashimotos)

[Ivyfoy]

Thanks for replying. What is suppressed TSH and how do you self medicate?

[Clutter in reply to Ivyfoy]

Ivy, A suppressed TSH will be <0.1. People self medicate by buying their own thyroid hormone replacement from outside of the UK.

Your TSH 3.49 is high enough to have floored a lot of people. I hope your GP decides to prescribe you Levothyroxine if it is still high on your recent test.

[Ivyfoy]

Edit to initial post * TSH 3.49

[Ivyfoy]

Thanks Clutter. I have to admit, I got a bit emotional reading your post. I feel like I've been living with a dirty little secret of secret naps and feeling sluggish all these years. I keep it hidden from everyone. Just having an acknowledgment that my TSH level would be the reason behind it is quite something.

So nervous about the latest results. Thanks for your help.

[Hidden in reply to Ivyfoy]

Ivyfoy, sorry to hear you've not been too good. As Bluedaffodil mentioned, a GPs 'normal' result is not necessarily our perspective lol! It simply means it fits within a certain lab range, which is skewed anyway (a statistician would have a fit if they saw how the ranges had been arrived at ....) It doesn't necessarily mean well or symptom-free. And as Clutter says, TSH 3.49 would have some of us feeling most unwell - mine is suppressed on a combo of T3 & T4. It will be good for you I suspect, if you are prescribed levothyroxine, which will be started low (depending on your age to a certain extent) and increased 6 wkly against blood tests, until hopefully you feel better. However all is not lost if your GP doesn't prescribe for you because as you know now, you can self-medicate, as many of us do. keep us informed but remember to have a printout of your results and lab ranges, and post them here for folks to comment on.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Ivyfoy]

This is for information and you will be surprised, I believe, on reading it. People suffer unnecessarily so due to guidelines and ignoring clinical symptoms.

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

[Ivyfoy]

Latest results back:

TSH 2.7 T4 14.0

Disappointed they are not out of range. Can a GP prescribe meds even when results are within range? Seeing the doctor to discuss them next week. May nip and and get a printout of results before then.

[estrellaliliana]

Ivy, never hope your results are out of range, your mind can do wonderful things so don't put these negative thoughts in it. What are your symptoms? Also you can self medicate so no need to get bad results. Consider that maybe it is something else. Maybe bring GP printout from reliable source where TSH should be. Most of them go by blood results and don't know much about it. Good luck