Feeling ill.

[Rosie2-2]

Doctors keeping telling me I shouldn't feel as ill as I do, first my TSH leavels showed as being low 0.09. I felt drained with aching muscles, I requested another blood test 8 weeks later and it showed T3 at 6.00. They referred me to hospital but still insist my symptoms are not due to the abnormal thyroid. The hospital gave me a low dose of propylthiouracil. My question is are they wrong because although I feel slightly better than I did I still feel really tired if I do anything. This is the 3rd time in 12 years I have an overactive thyroid.

[greygoose]

Hi Rosie, welcome to the forum - but sorry you need to be here!

Firstly, one has to understand that doctors know very little about thyroid, and nothing at all about symptoms. they just Don't know how one would feel with a very high TSH or a very low TSH. It's a closed book to them. So, they tend to make it up as they go along. It is impossible to evaluate another's pain, unless one has felt it - and even then, everyone is different.

OK, so, have you got a range for that T3? The number 6 means nothing unless it's in context. All labs have different ranges because they use different machines to analyse the blood. The TSH is universal, and that's low. But that on its own, means nothing. Did you have any other tests? Were your antibodies tested? Because if you switch from hyper to normal - or hypo - you could have Hashimoto's Disease, which in itself will make you feel bad.

[Rosie2-2 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you so much for your reply, it has helped me so much. The blood test results are as follows - Serum free T3 level - (AB6537) - 6.00pmol/L. As far as I know I didn't have the antibodies test. The doctor at the hospital did say I should be tested for vit D deficiency and B12 because I do not eat meat but until the letter comes through from the hospital to my GP they will not do anything. I am going to chase the hospital letter on Monday.

[greygoose in reply to Rosie2-2]

Rosie, still need the range for that FT3. The range is the numbers in brackets after the result. Just saying '6' is meaningless. It might be high on one range and in-range on another.

I am very concerned to hear you talking about radio-active removal of your thyroid when they haven't even tested your antibodies. That is a very drastic step to take. Please Don't accept it without thoroughly investigating the conséquences. Post on here and ask other people what they think. A lot of people regret their decision to remove their thyroid.

They say they can just remove the right amount with RAI, but they very often get it wrong.

Besides, if you have Hashi's, it isn't necessary. So, please do get those antibodies tested before making any décisions.

For Hashi's, you need to test TPOab AND TgAB - not just of them. I can't quite remember the test for Graves - I think it's TRab, but ask anyway. You really must know what you're doing and what you're letting yourself in for.

[Rosie2-2 in reply to greygoose]

The range is 2.63 - 5.70 pmol/L the other test on the sheet are GFR - LFT - FBC and Bone profile which say normal. There is no AB on the sheet so I will request one.

Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it.

[greygoose in reply to Rosie2-2]

OK, so your FT3 is only slightly over-range, and your TSH is only just suppressed. Personnally, I wouldn't think that made you hyper. Not hyper enough to warrant killing the gland, anyway. Sounds more like a Hashi's swing which will then swing back the other way. If they gave you a beta blocker, it would probably come down.

[Rosie2-2 in reply to greygoose]

I do feel different to the other 2 times that I was over active, I feel more ill and tired now than I did before, I do feel like I am under and over as I seem to have both symptoms. It may be because this is the 3rd time in 12 years that is has gone over. I know the first time I had it they told be it was extremely high but although I felt ill I wasn't as ill as I am now. I have been shopping today and now can hardly walk as I am in so much pain with my legs. Thank you for your help.

[greygoose in reply to Rosie2-2]

Well, just make sure you get all your antibodies tested, because it does sound like Hashi's to me.

[Rosie2-2 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you, I certainly will. You do make more sense, more than the doctors.

[greygoose in reply to Rosie2-2]

[PinkNinja]

If you're feeling a little better on the medication then your thyroid hormones are probably a little bit too high for you. It might be nothing to worry about to the doctor but clearly your body didn't like it.

As Greygoose says, if it keeps fluctuating it might mean that you have an autoimmune form of thyroid disease such as Hashimoto's or Graves disease. It would be worthwhile getting antibodies checked to see if you have either.

I hope you feel better soon

Carolyn x

[Rosie2-2 in reply to PinkNinja]

Thank you Carolyn, I appreciate you taking the time to reply to me. I am waiting for an appointment to have a scan. The doctor who I saw at hospital (general medicine) referred me to the ENT department, (not sure why) I went yesterday, I was told they would send me for radio active iodine, I did ask about the operation instead but the consultant said if I had the operation they would remove all of the thyroid as they no longer just remove part. I do have pets so I am worried about the RAI.

Many thanks

[Rosie2-2]

I couldn't agree more, what is NDT please?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Rosie2-2]

Many of the abbreviations and acronyms commonly used here are in my document:

dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u...

NDT = Natural Desiccated Thyroid

[Rosie2-2 in reply to helvella]

Thank you, the abbreviations are really useful, I have the print out of my blood test as I requested it when I went to the hospital.

[Rosie2-2]

Thank you, I am really considering asking for a private consultation with an endocrinologist because I have no faith in who I have seen so far. When the doctor from general medicine wrote to the ENT consultant he actually said in the letter than my thyroid trouble could have been brought on because I have pets! The consultant said that was news to him. My mother had an over active thyroid as well as my aunt on my fathers side.