Hi I am in a very similar position to you and live in uk. I now have extreemly painfull feet which again I think is planta f also extensive hair loss, depression, tied all the time and a recurring itch down below which I have been told is not thrush. I had surgery in January for carpel tunnel in both hand which just seemed to arrive overnight and now my feet. I had blood test approx. 1 year ago and told my thyroid levels were ok but again I feel my symptons like your are thyroid linked. Doc also told me I had a goite. Tiedness is really starting to become a problem and i feel really teary all the time which is really not like me. Has anyone got any advice as I am really struggling with this please help as going to docs again next week and I would really like some advice as to what to ask him. Thanks.
Planta fista hair loss etc but told not thyroid? - Thyroid UK
Planta fista hair loss etc but told not thyroid?
Thankyou for reply, I am at docs again on Monday do you think it would help to request new bloods be done or just ask for copies of old ones thx.
Fern123, Hypothyroid symptoms can precede abnormal bloods by months/years and having a goitre indicates there is a thyroid problem, even if NHS doesn't think thyroid levels warrant treatment yet. Plantar fascitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, hairloss and fatigue are common hypothyroid symptoms.
Ask your GP for a printout of your previous thyroid results and ranges (figures in brackets) and post them in a new question for advice.
Ask your GP to test ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate. Levels are often low/deficient prior to a thyroid diagnosis and can cause musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and low mood similar to hypothyroid symptoms.
Arrange future thyroid tests as early as possible in the morning and make it a fasting test (water only) as TSH is highest early and before food and drink.
Read the link below which will give tips on getting a diagnosis and use the symptom checker and show it to your GP.
Please ask your doctor for a full thyroid function test, i.e. TSH, T4, T3, Free T3 and Free T4, Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.
Make the blood test appointment as early as possible, and fast because the TSH is higher a.m. and most doctors diagnose only on the TSH alone..
Plantar Facilities can also be a clinical symptom of hypothyroidism as is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome caused by swelling. Excerpt:
Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are common in hypothyroid patients even when they are euthyroid. In this group of patients, normal median nerve latencies at the wrist in the presence of CTS symptoms and a positive physical examination are more prevalent than expected by the reported sensitivities of electrodiagnostic testing. Standards for assessing normal median nerve latencies may be significantly different in hypothyroid patients
When your Doc noticed the goitre, did he not want to do tests again?
I was diagnosed hyper in June with carpel tunnel pain and planta faciata and tendonitis, extreme fatigue etc. I also have high antibodies and a swollen thyroid, so probably have Graves, though I'm still waiting for endo appointment.
Problem I've found is the NHS testing. They test TSH and that has to be out of range before testing t4, which also has to be out before testing t3. And it seems to be t3 which causes a lot of the symptoms. Despite my go requesting them I had to go back 3 times before all were done. You obviously need the testing done again and an ultrasound of the goitre. You should also ask him to refer you to an endo.
When I started treatment the planta t, tendonitis etc were noticeably better within 4 weeks and my bloods looked better so my go lowered the dose. Within 8 days I could barely walk again so had to up dose again!
You need to get your B12 checked as others have suggested. There is a lot of crossover from these diseases, and B12 deficiency can cause change in sensation to the hands and feet.
I thought my symptoms were my thyroid, but are all down to B12 deficiency
Take care
Thanks everyone for your replys and advise I will see how I get on at docs.
I have the same problem and doc and hospital both say my feet, hands, etc not related to my thyroid. I have recently gone to a herbalist (Napiers in Edinburgh) and have started their herbs and pills. I have to take the stuff for four weeks then go back. Both my son and daughter went to this herbalist for different ailments and both are much better so this is my last resort as doct and hospital no good at all. As long as your blood results and adequate in their eyes it doesnt matter if you are lying sleeping or not - they will say it is not your thyroid. No faith in them at all.
Again, could be B12 deficiency that is causing these sensations. I would get it checked out.
My faith in doctors has now completely vanished and will never return. I am a nurse and have been treated like a crazy hypochondriac.
Good luck
One tendency that I have noticed in this chat room, (which is normal because it is a thyroid chat room), is the almost entire focus on the culprit being one's thyroid. It is one thing to know about testing, testing standards, terminology, medications or anything having too do with thyroid ( even if you have an under/over thyroid, is that there are many diagnosis that can/ seem to share the same symptoms of thyroid. Remember when I said if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it doesn't automatically mean it is a duck!!!! And hanging out with ducks still doesn't mean it is a duck!
Fern123, how old are you please?
It is easy to believe that it is always your thyroid, when you have thyroid disorder. It is common for the majority of our population, myself included. But have you ever watched House-the TV program about this brilliant Dr who always saw people when they were dying, and just before or as they are taking their last breath, he manages to realize all of a sudden, that there are other diseases that cause exactly the same symptoms each with a different effect. In many of his cases they died, but most of the time he pulled out a diagnosis and saved them. No, I am not House ( wish I had half his brilliance) but I am saying perhaps it is not your thyroid. That's why many times a medical diagnosis might say the phrase R/O blah blah blah secondary to blah blah blah. The R/O means to "rule out", which is our responsibility as medical providers to do! So then we start with the most obvious diagnosis, and begin to RO it out. We will order labs, try meds. If the labs indicate a disease, and the meds given are helpful and tolerated well, we stop there with that diagnosis. Soon a person may have another symptom ( which may appear related to thyroid-might be) we leave it there still. But when it all seems to be thyroid, we attribute it to thyroid, but soon things begin to unravel, for instance we do not get good results from thyroid treatment, so we adjust medicines, and so forth because we know we have thyroid don't we-uhmmmmmm! Don't we? It may not be about ones thyroid, or they could be sharing symptoms, but oops, another symptom appears until our thyroid appears in need of a good spanking! There could quite well be a # of things going on tho-it was thyroid and/or it was an entirely different disease which mimicked symptoms of thyroid. Orrrrrrr, eventually we find out it is an entirely unrelated disease or it was a disease that had gone unnoticed ( hidden) from the doctors. Or ultimately there was a complicated etiology and it never the thyroid. So what I am suggesting is that we keep open minds, no matter what we think, rule out every possible symptom until we have finally ruled out so much there is no other answer. I hope this is helpful and you will take it as a cautionary statement only and it is certainly not intended as a lack of faith in your diagnostic skills or a chastisement. Just remember all House went thru to get to the end, even if the end came from an entirely different end one would expect from the "accepted" diagnosis. As much as we like to believe we live in a linear world, we do not. It is hard to keep cool, stay calm, and wait for the right diagnosis to reveal itself, and we may even get worse for a time. But remember, help or an answer may come from the most unlikely source. Remember that family HX I talked about. House often found the culprit when he looked in depth at family HX. I think one time the symptoms took him completely one way-until they didn't-but by then-the patient was drawing her last breath. House just happened to really look at Mom and -you have it-the light appeared-finally it all came right. But if we are too determined to twist things to fit our vested diagnosis, we will be oblivious to the cold-hard facts. Then again, we may not! The ultimate point is that most usually, if we are open minded and patient, the answer comes. Yes we suffered ! I know I do, but I want the answer/s and the appropriate TX. But we just have to be persistently persistent and continue our quest until the varmint reveals itself. Remember a disease' job is to stay unhealthy, so it hides. That is it's job! But eventually it will make a mistake and then? Gotcha!! Many blessings on your journey-may you find your answer/s quickly and your health even more quickly! Dr. House-Dr House, floor 3 stat! Keep your eyes on the prize but not to the exclusion of the journey or the myriad of dangers that might waylay us or assault us on our journey. Blessings, joy and peace of mind to you~*~
Would you care to explain what HX and TX are? Many here will not understand.
We very regularly see people here doing their level best to get to a non-thyroid diagnosis - and sometimes they do.
My experience is that doctors in the real world work entirely other than how you suggest. They automatically rule out anything and everything that is rare. (Without even qualifying or understainding the statistical meaning of "rare".) The old horses / zebras. Of course it's not a zebra...
My answer was to a specific comment and I believe I deliberately left lots of room in there for all eventualities. I also included DR House as an example of a brilliant character whose job to diagnose the most rare diseases, indicating that education, skill and objective information ( tests, labs, etc.) may not be enough for even the most brilliant of the brilliant. I also included myself in the mix. Lot's of latitude from totally stupid to all points of the scale to include everybody's skill level.
Too, I indicated that oftentimes we end back up at the original diagnosis and then again maybe not or then again maybe so, but with an accompanying disease. I have also previously posted that a provider has less than 7 minutes per office visit and that if all of the Sx's/Sx's (signs symptoms ) agree with their diagnosis, then they have a decision tree they must follow when developing a treatment or care plan. In addition I have mentioned that insurance and drug companies drive the treatment protocol. A further consideration is the medically needy who are unable to pay for their care or tests, is that the docs do not get full (actually very little) compensation for their care and time, nor do the patients in the waiting room. So, unless a patient reports a solid, objective symptom that may or may not be life-threatening they are "giving away their time and money" to provide treatment which is not indicated by the evidenced based medicine they are forced to provide. To the powers that be, if a band aide stops bleeding, why go in to surgery and explore to find a bleeder. Medical providers and community are not free flyers anymore, providing free unlimited care. They answer to the powers that be or they practice charity and end up bankrupt, without malpractice insurance to protect them from rapidly increasing scurrilous lawsuits. And while we are here, let us not forget the insurance communities who provide malpractice insurance. Right now, the MP's are between a rock and a hard spot, owe a lot of student loans, and the majority of them do as much as they can, with what they have and what they are allowed to do while being ever wary and vigilant of malpractice claims. MP's are pressured to perform to exacting standards from a community that does not understand the parameters they must function in while they demand more services, and held accountable by their bosses to provide the cheapest band-aid possible and nothing more, while the top dogs themselves reap in massive profits.
In my learned opinion, health care is going to continue to decompensate. Be prepared!
So I am not sure what your point is here. I really worked hard to write that post to be non-offensive but apparently I failed. But, because I did work hard, I am going to stick by it, because it is the truth, and even if it is offensive to somebody, hopefully the person I posted it for, will realize that a duck is not always a duck just because someone decides it is. Thus the initial post encouraging her to press further may gain her some answers she wouldn't have ordinarily have gotten by not beating the rug. My point was and is, that none of us are omnipotent or omniscient-the disease process goes where it will, it morphs and takes on other characteristics that even the most brilliant can not diagnose. I proffered that not only as the truth but as a compliment to the group as a whole for their tenacity to get an informed diagnosis. In the process they have gained a tremendous amount of education regarding their bodies, but of themselves as well. It gives them an awareness and an empathy for the pains, trials and tribulations of others and so much more. They can "give back". Then there is the pride and joy of learning that persistence is a good thing, it yields unimaginable treasures, such as an increased knowledge base, and the confidence that they can participate, learn, and if not overcome, at least advocate for themselves. I'll bet that not a one person in this group would discount my claim, nor would they give up the benefits of their accomplishments. And not one of them up to and including yourself, would require the exacting standards you want from the medical community from yourself, while accountable to the strict controls, even to how one dictates thus increasing dictation time requirements with no increased remuneration, because they need to protect themselves from those who haven't the first clue of what practice really is and the demanding, exacting requirement they work under. Do you demand the same from yourself?
So yes, I think I covered all of the bases extremely well for a very simple cautionary statement. When you reach the end of the rope, and you are not feeling better, but continue to grow worse in fact, it is hard not to lose hope. So, I quite nicely offered some professional advice to some who are clearly hurting, advising them that when all seems lost, it may in fact be a diversion. I provided her with HOPE. Didn't cost me a thing but the time to write the post and then answer your thoughtful post as well. A post that many years in the medical profession as a provider qualifies me to make. And as such, one who realizes that the most important medicine of all excluding love, because we know love is the most important contributor, is hope. Fie on me!
As to your other question, HX means history, and DX means diagnosis. The meanings, particularly for people who are so learned that they can learn nothing else should be quite understandable from the content of the conversation.
My interest in this group is to learn from others, their contributions, their journeys, and observations, hopes, prayers, realizations. And also, their experience with the medical community as a whole, because the medical field could be enriched by not only the objective information, ( tests, surgeries, medications) but by the subjective information, ( shame, despair, family breakdown or not, anger, the feeling of being dismissed and belittled and so much more) and thus hope is one of the most major contributor's to health. Again, lots of credit to those on this journey who dare think they may have something to offer)! I just haven't the time and effort to tell you just how nice and appreciative I was/am being to this community. If it isn't readily apparent to you, then you have failed them not I. I think they are wonderful, smart, creative, determined, knowledgeable and so on. How many medical professionals ask you for advice? Please read the meaning of the reply and be certain you understand it before you demean yourself and the group!
PS: To the entire community - please accept my most sincere apology if you felt that my comment demeaned you in even the tiniest way, or made a mockery of your vast knowledge and experience-twas not my intent. I believe that I may have a little different perspective secondary to my education and profession, and that what I offer combined with what each of you offer enhances the community's strength, integrity, purpose, and mission statement while providing comfort and hope to each one thus providing authenticity to the mission statement and the group. Every small piece has something to offer, providing a tapestry of suffering, and torment on one side but on the reverse - hope, strength of purpose, unity and perseverance to serve the need s of the individual as they provide the adhesive to fit the pieces together. Perhaps they will not realize as much relief as they wished but they have wrestled an adversary and became triumphant! Many thanx for allowing me to participate in your journey!
Pardon me-I will take the unicorn, the spotted one~*~
My question was:
Would you care to explain what HX and TX are? Many here will not understand.
Don't think you have answered the second abbreviation.
Please bear in mind that this is a UK-based forum with the majority of members based in the UK. The abbreviations Sx, Dx, Tx, Hx, etc., whilst not entirely unknown here, are not used nearly so much. Therefore many, especially brain-fogged thyroid patients, are likely to struggle with them.
hi I am 40yrs old. I really hope I don't have a thyroid problem as its seems awful for you poor people to deal with but also I no I have a problem that is getting much worse, life is just crap now and I am determined to work but I want to no whats wrong with me? is that so bad, I am just disappointed that doctors now only look at the chemistry of bloods and just ignore the endless symptons on display, are bloods 100% accurate?
No-they are part of diagnostic criteria, that is used with a conjunction of other symptoms. There is a phenomena (for lack of a better term)called a bell curve. Perhaps you are familiar with it? Any way, a sample is made of whatever population they are looking for ( in this case humans) so picture a graph that looks like a bell that is high and rounded in the middle and then gradually slopes down on either side. The bell does not flatten abruptly but maintains tails equally on both sides and them gradually flattens. As the bell flattens then becomes totally flat there is a tiny population ( or sample) in the almost flat lines. You may want to draw this if visualization helps you understand. Now the middle of the bell is considered normal, and as the bell slopes down gradually, the majority of the population/sample will cluster heavily and gradually become less dense, tapering to almost no population. not all people meet directly under the bell, they gradually begin to thin out until eventually there are only a few stragglers under the tails on either side. This few are called outliers. At some point the density of the population becomes fairly thin. At this point a line is drawn vertically on either side, excluding the outliers as tho they were not invited to the party or they came so late they weren't allowed in. The ones within the dense population under the bell are considered normal ( as if such a thing exists), and the outliers at that point do cease to exist for medical purposes and testing. The medical profession has forgotten the outliers, and since they work with objective information, ( blood tests, Cat scans MRI's and such), there is no diagnosis if the objective information doesn't show it. The medical profession, as a rule, has forgotten to think for themselves, because they are now working from the dictates established from evidenced based practice. And only those within the "normal" population are considered evidenced based. One can almost forgive them for this because they have had years of training pounded into their skulls telling them this is so. But where does that leave the outliers?. Unless they too have become a patient with answers readily apparent within the "evidence based" tree they must work from protect themselves from malpractice, and a host of other things. The sad thing is, it leads to frustration, illness and death. We practice medicine as if we have concrete information. And that is not true, We are constantly having to expand our knowledge tree, and thus the way we practice medicine. We came to medicine with those who practiced what was known as witchcraft, but we gradually came to realize that most often there was significant validity in this form of practice. But with deaths, legal ramifications and sophistication, we have gradually left the wonder of discovery behind and are now constrained by they "bell curve", and not many docs have the time, inclination, or desire to step outside the boundaries of such lest the hammer of the legal profession, claims of mal-practice and the potential repercussions of the insurance industry seek them out! : ( I hope that answers your question and reassures you that you do exist and that your problems are real, just not yet pinpointed~*~
thank you
Hair and sleep loss
Hair loss - Hypothyroid?
Extreme hair loss and told to reduce levo
Not sure whether pregnant or not but just been told I have hypothyroidism
Hair loss GP not taking me seriously
