Under acted thyroid gland

[jockthedog1]

Hi I have a under acted thyroid gland and have been taking Levothyroxine 100 micrograms since 2009 I have regular bloods tests and they always come back fine but I have days when I'm so tired I can sleep up to 17 hours a day it dosent happen all the time but it is quite ofton and its overtaking my life is this normal or should I mention this to my doctor. Thankyou for taking the time to read thus

[shaws Administrator]

Hello jockthedog1

The first thing you should do, if you've had recent blood tests for your thyroid gland is to get a print-out from the surgery, with the ranges and post on a new question if you don't have them at present.

If you've not had a Full Thyroid Function Test for a while, ask GP for TSH, T3,T4, Free T4 and Free T3, also Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as we're usually deficient in these which can cause problems too.

Many labs don't do anything other than the TSH and if 'in range' wont do the others, even if requested.

You can get a Private Test done from the following and and post the results with the ranges on the forum.

When you are having a blood test for the thyroid gland, leave 24 hours between taking levo and the blood test and take levo after it not before as it will skew the results. If you've eaten before test, leave the minimum of 2 hours each side of taking levo. It has to be longer if you've had a fatty meal.

Also the test should be as early as possible as TSH is highest then.

Many doctors are happy when our TSH is 'in range' but most do not know that their patients feel much better with TSH is around 1 or lower or suppressed. They also don't treat the symptoms but diagnose on the TSH alone, usually.

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