Any ideas?

[pipes10]

OK, I joined this group as I had a HUGE amount of symptoms of hypo, I've recently had my TSH, T3 and T4 tested. Apparently they are "normal"

TSH - 1.74

T3 - 4.1

T4 - 11.9

The doctor wants a telephone appointment with me on Friday (the next available time). I have no idea what he's going to say, probably tell me to stop being a hypochondriac or something!

I understand the T3 and T4 results are normal, but I have a feeling these are on the low side of normal.

The nurse I spoke to when I have my bloods taken said it sounded like I might have a hormone problem somewhere. I just don't know where to go from here, or what the doctor might suggest.

I DON'T want to go in anti-depressants, I've had them in the past, I'm off them now and it took me a long time to get off them and I feel mentally fine, just low about how I'm feeling!

I'm at home with 3 young children, my husband works full time, I work 2 nights a week at the moment. I just have no get up and go! I should be doing stuff with the kids during the holidays, but even the thought of going to the local shops to get food (which I need to do later) fills me with dread!

[puncturedbicycle]

Have you got the ranges for your results? It would help put them into perspective. My first thought is that your t3 and t4 are low but the ranges would confirm whether that is true or not.

Have they done antibodies tests? These would show if there was an autoimmune issue.

Don't worry too much about antidepressants and whatever. No one can force you to go down that route. You may find you have to get some private tests done - antibodies and thyroid function tests - if your doc won't cooperate. If they insist your thyroid is fine then by all means invite them to find the cause of your exhaustion and other symptoms! After all, you've got kids and a job and you can't just be dragging around all the time. Blood sugar issues, low b12, low d and changes in sex hormones can cause similar symptoms. Depression isn't some catch-all they can just use to explain everything away, esp if you say your mood is otherwise fine.

[pipes10 in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Unfortunately they didn't give me the ranges, but I will ask. Thank you!

Antibodies haven't been done, but I'd like it to be, I've had to beg for the T3 and T4 to be done, so getting the antibodies will be difficult. There is a family history of autoimmune problems.

[Marz in reply to pipes10]

..in that case you must tell the Doc about other family members and insist on have Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg tested ASAP. Mistreatment of Hashimotos can lead to other debilitating conditions that will cost the NHS even more...

Good luck and keep posting for people to help and support....

[pipes10 in reply to Marz]

Every doctor I've told doesn't listen. My mum suffers from something calls PSC (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis) - it's to do with the liver and in most cases can result in needing a liver transplant eventually. Trouble is, not much is known about it as it's not very common. So doctors look at me blankly when I tell them and rather than do research they just sweep it under the carpet. I'm sure that's NOT what I've got but it is an autoimmune disease, as well as arthritis, colitis and a few other things all run in my family!

[puncturedbicycle in reply to pipes10]

I would respectfully suggest you give them a time limit, mark it on your calendar, and if they don't step up get the tests done yourself. I assume you're not rolling in stacks of money and I understand that the nhs has a duty to help all of us even when they're reluctant and if we opt out we will lead them to believe that the problem is less important than it is etc - I understand all these arguments but equally you need to be well and if you need to put away a little fund to pay for private testing to illuminate what is going on then so be it.

I feel so awful for people who drag on for years spending their dwindling energies on arguing with their gp. I was one of them! I wish I had protected myself a bit better and got on top of it sooner.

[Hidden in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Oh do I know about that 'must get up and get on in a minute' dread. Sympathies.

And keep a note of your experiences with doctors over this. To ignore a family connection of this kind is unacceptable. At some point you may feel you need to complain about the lazy treatment you've received. Ammo!

And don't let them try the old 'of course you're tired - you've got young children and a job' routine either.

[gabkad]

pipes, did you also get a full blood cell count done? And ferritin, B12, folate, vitamin D? What are your dietary source of iodine and selenium? (both are also required for good thyroid function). Zinc?

Do you eat meat, eggs, cheese, fish, drink milk? Those are your easiest most accessible sources of iodine and selenium.

You may need to take a closer look at your diet and make an analysis of the nutrient content.

If the doctor didn't order other blood tests, then you'll need to ask him to do so when you talk to him next.

[pipes10 in reply to gabkad]

I love cheese, eggs, milk and fish! I eat quite a bit of them!

I have no idea if they did a full blood count All questions to ask on Friday!