New - Advice Please

[jeanjeannie50]

This week my GP will be letting me know what my latest thyroid tests results are. Previously they have been TSH 11.4 and T4 12.7. I am not on any medication for this, but believe because of my extreme tiredness, body aches and pains etc. the time has come for me to make this request. To be fair to my GP has hesitated to prescribe anything because I often get a fast heart rate and end up in hospital (Tachycardic AF).

When he rings with the results what should I be asking and what medication should I request? I have read on this site about some people asking for a more natural remedy called Armour.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jean

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, JeanJeannie.

TSH >10 is overtly hypothyroid and your doctor should prescribe Levothyroxine to bring your TSH down to just above or below 1.0. It will take some time to achieve this as you will be started on a low dose. You will need a follow up blood test 6/8 weeks later as your dose will probably need increasing. Dose changes should be followed up by a blood test 8 weeks later to check the increase/decrease isn't over or under medicating the patient.

Ask your GP to test ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate as hypothyroid patients are often deficient/low and these deficiencies can cause musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and low mood similar to hypothyroid symptoms. Post your results with the lab ref ranges (the figures in brackets after your results) in a new question and members will advise whether supplementation is required.

Armour isn't licensed for use in the UK so your GP is unlikely to prescribe it on the NHS. Most people do well on Levothyroxine once they are optimally dosed but those who don't usually self fund and self medicate buying their Armour on the internet.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you so much, just the advice I needed. I'm ready to talk to my GP now I have this info and will ask him for my blood test results.

Jean