Advice about having a under active thyroid

[Caesynat]

Hi I'm new to this site and I'm 33 and I have had a under active thyroid and have had this for about 12 years but I'm still learning about this condition would like to make new friends and get some advice I'm tired all the time and can't sleep well before 1/2 in the morning and feel ill a lot of the time and have put lots of weight on does anyone have any advice thank you natalie

[greygoose]

Hi natalie, sorry to hear that you're feeling so bad, but welcome to the forum. I think most people pn here will know exactly how you feel!

But, first things, first, do you have a copy of your latest blood test? if so, post it on here and people will be better able to judge where you are at the moment - it sounds like you're under-medicated. What are you taking, and how much, for how long?

Have you had your vit D, vit B12, folate, iron and ferritin tested? These all need to be optimal for you to be able to use the hormone you're taking, and hypos are often deficient in lots of nutrients. Having nutritional deficiencies will also make you feel ill and put on weight, so best to have them tested if you can.

[Caesynat in reply to greygoose]

Hi thank you for the reply when I get my blood test back the doctors tell me they are ok or they are not and do another blood test I don't get any paper work should I ask me doctor for it

[greygoose in reply to Caesynat]

You most certainly should. As I said, it's your legal right to have them, but I've never heard of a doctor that offered them to his patient. Either they like to conserve the mystery that only they can interprete them, or they consider that you wouldn't understand them or Don't want to know. If you never say anything, they take that as agreement with their views.

But here you are, 12 years on, and they haven't made a very good job of getting you better, have they. So, it's time to take charge of your own health, read as much as you can, and become an expert in your own disease. They've had thier chance! Now it's time to get well!!!

[Caesynat in reply to greygoose]

That's what I want to do learn everything I can as I am sick of doctors not really being much help I got the same with my other health problems this is what you have good luck and no help I have to wait for another blood test in a couple of weeks and when it's done I will ask for my paper work

[greygoose in reply to Caesynat]

Good for you! Well, you're in the right place, here. There will always be someone here to help you.

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Caesynat.

Good advice above. These links may be helpful:

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

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Caesynat in reply to Clutter]

Thank you for the links

[Caesynat]

I don't get a letter just the doctor saying they are ok or I need a new blood test I'm on 175 at the moment and they said that they are not right at the moment and I need to keep taking them then have a mother blood test thank you for the reply

[Clutter in reply to Caesynat]

Caesynat, ask your GP receptionist, practice manager or GP for a printout of your results with the lab ref ranges after every blood test. That way you know exactly what your levels are and can post them for comment or advice.

[Caesynat]

All this is new on me should I ask my doctor I feel a bit lost with all this. Thank you for replying to me

[eeng]

Make sure to have your blood test first thing in the morning, and don't take your thyroxine for 24 hours before the test. You can take it after the test instead. This will make sure you get results that aren't distorted.

[BeansMummy]

It can be very overwhelming when you read information on this site, there is so much to learn and take in, so don't panic about sorting everything out all in one go. There are some very knowledgeable people on here, the advice they have given has been an absolute life-saver to me.

I lurked on here for a while, gradually learning about my illness (and am still learning). I didn't believe that I would ever get to grips with any of it, but I have. It just takes time.