Help.

[Minxy84]

Hi, my name is Ceri. I haven't been diagnosed with a thyroid problem, but I would like some advise on what to do next.

I have a lot of the hypothyroid symptoms, tiredness, not feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep, I've gained a stone in 4 months, I have a lot of joint pain, my fingers and feet are always puffy, I suffer a lot with spots and boils, I could go on but I don't want bore you!

I had a thyroid function test in 2008 and the results came back as TSH 2 and T4 of 16.9. The bloods I had done last week were TSH 2.9 and T4 of 14. I know these are all within the normal range, but I'm wondering if the change is enough to make be making me have these symptoms?

Also, I read on the Thyroid UK website that there are other tests that can be done to see if the Thyroid is functioning properly. Is it worth me asking for these to be done or are my results too "normal"

Thanks for taking the time to read my lost. Any advise given will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Ceri xx

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Minxy84.

TSH >2 is a sign your thyroid is beginning to struggle to produce T4 and is backed up by the fact your FT4 has dropped. Unfortunately, you are unlikely to get a NHS diagnosis until TSH is >4.5 or 5.0 or FT4 is below the reference range (the figures in brackets after your results).

I doubt your GP will be willing to retest thyroid or thyroid antibodies in the next 12 months but it is worth asking for ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate to be tested. Symptoms of low/deficient levels include musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and low mood similar to hypothyroid symptoms. Post the results with the lab ref ranges in a new question and members will advise whether you need to supplement.

Eating 3-5 Brazil nuts daily or supplementing 200mcg selenium may improve thyroid function. There are also over the counter thyroid supplements like Nutri-Thyroid which may help support thyroid for a while.

It can be worth ordering private thyroid tests from Blue Horizon or Genova to test thyroid antibodies. If your GP won't test the vitamins and minerals I recommended, I think Blue Horizon's comprehensive thyroid panel includes them. thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

If positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) it's almost guaranteed you will become hypothyroid although NHS treatment won't commence until thyroid levels are abnormal. 95% of hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto's. The value in knowing whether antibodies are positive is that by adopting a 100% gluten-free diet, progression to hypothyroidism may be delayed.

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

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

[Minxy84 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks for getting back to me. I've read some of the other posts and thought about getting the vitamins and minerals tested.

I had the b12 tested a few months back now and all the doctor said was that it was very normal??

I've had a full blood count done too, would I be able to tell anything from that or should I ask for new tests?

Many thanks again for your help xx

[Clutter in reply to Minxy84]

Minxy, normal is an opinion, usually means the result is within range but could be at the bottom or top of range and not optimal. Ask your GP receptionist to give you the B12 result and range and post it in a new question.

Full blood count won't tell what ferritin, vitamin D and folate levels are, they are separate tests.

[Minxy84 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks for that. Will give them a ring tomorrow