Blood Tests

[darceynjo]

Hi I am asking for your help in how many times does your blood test have to come back abnormal before they say that you have thyroid problems. I have now had four blood tests 3 of which were abnormal and the doctor at the hospital ordered another one last week (i dont have the results yet). Thanks Julia

[Heloise]

Julia, get copies of those tests. The NHS is rather notorious for keeping people on hold when it comes to hypothyroidism and often become very, very ill. It appears the condition is too complicated or too time consuming for decent diagnosis. There are many reasons for low functioning thyroid and often it starts with adrenal exhaustion. It also could be an iodine deficiency. Hashimoto's is usually due to an autoimmune attack. It would be fairly simple to do a few antibody tests in order to find that out but don't seem to do them. Even the TSH, free t4 and free t3 tests would give a fair picture of what is going on and they don't seem to do those either. I think they simply do TSH and wait for it to go over range even when you have symptoms. It's unfortunate and why so many here have decided to self treat which is very possible to accomplish. Here is a bit of insight.

youtube.com/watch?v=Z5SaM0R...(Not working as expected?)

youtube.com/watch?v=qYeFh06...(Not working as expected?)

[darceynjo in reply to Heloise]

Hi Heloise, Thanks for that the videos were really interesting to watch. I dont know if this relates to the thyroid problems but I seem to have a chest infection that wont clear up (I am on my second lot of antibs), tired all the time yet dont sleep for more than 2/3 hrs a night, weight gain yet dont eat much and loads of others things.The UNDERSTUDY doctor at our hospital is only interested in testing my TSH basically it is getting to the point I feel like saying F**K it all and not bothering any more, just let things take there own course. Julia

[Heloise in reply to darceynjo]

Julia, no, you are not going to let it take its course, we won't let you.

As you have read, this is a huge problem and so unnecessary. Please don't feel defeated because you can help yourself. If or when you finally find someone who will decide to treat you, this is what they will do: prescribe levothyroxine (the cheapest replacement for thyroid hormone) and the starting dose will be 25 to 50 mcgs. They will order TSH test and possibly T4 test after six weeks (or more) and if you fall in range they may even leave you at 50 mcgs. This is a terrible mistake. But they may raise you to 75 mcgs. Rarely does anyone feel good on that dose. Usually 100, 125 or 150 will keep someone stable. The hormone used a hundred years ago which was Armour is still on the market as well as other similar natural products. They are not synthetic like levothyroxine and they do contain T3, unlike levothyroxine. They usually refuse to prescribe that. I had to fight for it myself and I'm in the U.S. but many in the UK are ordering an NDT for themselves and it's not expensive. I think it is also easier to adjust since it contains both T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin.

So, as you can see, the regimen is simple and you can easily duplicate it yourself and one thing you will do that they cannot is realize whether you are feeling better or not. And the most profound fact is that YOU will care and will act on it if you still have symptoms.

[shaws Administrator]

The approx range for TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is up to around 5 and many countries will prescribe from around 3 plus taking symptoms into account. For some unbelievable reason in the UK they state that the TSH has to reach 10 before prescribing and some people's TSH doesn't reach this point but suffer whilst being given prescriptions for the symptoms rather than thyroid hormones.

If you get your blood test as early as possible, fast (you can drink water) it helps to keep the TSH higher as that what GPs go by for diagnosing and adjusting your dose of meds. When on levothyroxoine or other thyroid hormones leave around 24 hours between it and the test and take it afterwards.

If your GP hasn't tested Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate ask for these to be checked because if deficient they can also give us symptoms.

[darceynjo in reply to shaws]

Hi and thanks if you read my reply to the last person you will understand how I feel. Julia

[shaws Administrator in reply to darceynjo]

I'm sorry you're having more problems and post your results with the ranges on a new question for more comments.

[darceynjo in reply to shaws]

Thanks I will do when I can get them Julia

[darceynjo]

HI bluepetals, Thanks for your reply at this moment I cant remember the name of the doctor just that he is useless I go to the NGH in Sheffield. It starts to get you so down that you think this is a waste of time and why should I keep going Take care and thanks Julia

[Treewade]

I get something abnormal in all my blood test a deficiency or a liver function mainly n that's what happens t me . Instead of explaining why they are abnormal I get sent for more bloods r end oscapy then it gets added as a new symptom mmmmmm

[darceynjo]

Thanks I will do, I forgot to say that they have found a mass or masses on my adrenal gland, but they dont seem very interested in it and I will PM you when I can find the doctors name. Are you from Sheffield Julia

[MrsRaven]

From the way Ive been treated I am totally convinced that none of them have a clue, can't see any further than the ends of their noses and dont give a toss how we feel. Its almost amounting to criminal negligence.

[darceynjo in reply to MrsRaven]

Hi Mrs Raven, Thats just how I feel, I dont feel as if I am a person when seeing them just a number it gets so upsetting at times Julia

[MrsRaven in reply to darceynjo]

I feel patronised and irrelevant x

[Sci-fi_girl]

Sorry you're having so many problems. I'm not far from you and see a consultant at Scunthorpe General. He's very busy so getting an appointment isn't easy but he's sent me for lots of tests for underactive thyroid, plus I've been investigated for adrenal insufficiency (insulin stress test). I also have CFS and B12 deficiency and, amazingly, he treats me as a whole not just a thyroid patient. Saw a member of his team last time and could've hugged him... GP had told me TFT was borderline when it was rechecked, but he said your level is at the lower range normally so this is very high for you 'I like to treat the person not the number'!!! Seriously, I nearly hugged him. Have had bad experiences with other consultant/specialty 'understudies' (love that by the way) so was a bit disappointed when I saw my usual guy was on leave. I couldn't have been more wrong. If you are interested in his name private message me. You are entitled to a second opinion and, under NHS Choose and Book rules, to choose where you are referred.

[houndmum in reply to Sci-fi_girl]

Wish I lived in Scunthorpe! Recently moved to North Wales and is not good!!!

[LAHs in reply to houndmum]

Houndmum, drive to Scunthorpe! It will only be once a year after they have got the dose right. That's what many of us in the US have to do. I personally have a 400mile round trip to see my sensible doc (not "wonderful" just "sensible"). I would travel even further for a wonderful one.

[MrsRaven in reply to Sci-fi_girl]

Sci-fi_girl, I just wish I lived in Scunthorpe. Does he do telephone consultations lol!

[Treepie]

Ah ,sunny Scunny my home town .30000 in steel industry when I left school less than a tenth of that now. I have seen a private endo in Elland who is good, but Scunthorpe is nearer to Sheffield.Sounds a good one Sci- fi girl.

[houndmum]

You need to know what the tests were, what the results show and insist on them explaining. Get them to give you a copy or write down what's on the computer screen. You can then do your own research if you want.

If you have other health issues ongoing they may be causing erratic results. Either way you are entitled to an explanation. NHS good practice. Don't let them fob you off. Good Luck.

PS. Results shouldn't take more than a week but doctors need to review results - that's prob the delay.

[Heloise]

Thank you, blue. I can't believe that this situation hasn't improved but I feel it can't be any worse by self treating. It makes you wonder how many are just giving up.

[Gismo333]

Hi Julia, it all boils down to their job. If they get it wrong then their head is on the line. My doctor more or less told me this. I have no gland whatsoever, I have a medical exemption card but they refuse to give me any lifesaving medication so I trot over to Brussels once a year and stock up. Ridiculous to say the least. The TSH test in my opinion isn't worth much at all as it is not showing what is in the cells only the messages from the pituitary gland and the FT3 and FT4 again only show what is circulating in the blood. Why don't they open their eyes and see the sick patient showing multi hypo symptoms in front of them instead of being glued to a screen is beyond me but it's what they are taught in med school. They have no idea what they are looking at anyway.

Go to Thyroid UK and get a doctor who understands the metabolism, it really is the only way to go. You will just continue to hit your head up against the wall with most GP's

[LAHs in reply to Gismo333]

Hi Gismo,

Yep, Brussels for you and Los Angeles for me. A 400 mile round trip, Isn't this a pathetic state of affairs.

[Gismo333 in reply to LAHs]

Goodness me that's a long way to go. You are obviously in the States? It is pathetic and totally unnecessary. Even Dr Toft has changed his mind and he was the head of the British Thyroid Foundation. He preached TSH and T4 for years, now he says T4 must always have T3 with it and also adrenals must be measured by a saliva test. And.... still the GMC do nothing about it. Well of course they want the minimum amount of people being diagnosed with thyroid disorders as then you have a medical exemption card and never pay for any medication again... I believe this has a lot to do with this disease.

[Eddie83]

Pardon the sarcasm, but: it sounds like NHS doctors have stock in the company they use for lab testing. One of the biggest problems I encountered with lab testing, is that docs order tests, but don't know what to do with them when they get the results. Clearly, you need (I know, this is difficult when you're not feeling well) to tell them, ASSERTIVELY, that you don't want more testing; you want treatment!

[rettalee55]

Are you kidding? 1 or even 2 if so totally unsure. Your doctor should also have you fill out a question-ere sheet asking for any symptoms you may have been experiencing in combination with the blood test. Do you by chance need to switch doctors? Does he not trust the lab, or does any symptoms that you are experiencing not "jiving" with the test? There has to be something up there. Ask more questions.

In my case, I always obtain a copy of the labs, possibly even sometimes before the doctor, and go over it myself. The last time I obtained my labs, I even went to my pharmacist, ran my lab figures by him, and when my doctor wanted to keep me on my same meds, I had some fuel to back myself up and told him something needed to be done, that it wasn't right. (You see, he is also into weight loss as well as hormones, and he wanted to keep me slightly off in order to get more money off of that, since I would have to pay out of pocket for weight loss help.) My insurance covers my checkups and hormones and he doesn't get as much money there. Good Luck to you!!

[darceynjo]

Sorry Bluepetals I will remember that Julia