Test? Private or GP

OMG, everything you said is me! I'm so happy I found this site. For years, I've been feeling like I'm crazy, doctors never seemed to know what was wrong. Just wondering tho, you said you're very tired. That's me also, but what's crazy is no matter how tired I am during the day, I get anxiety at night, heart palpitations and can't sleep. It's so crazy. Can't fall asleep before 3-4am. Do you experience this?

My previous GP wasn't very helpful and this has made me wary of them so I understand your fears

You could try the GP first especially as you have the benefit of this forum to checkout any advice you are given (if you have any blood tests done have them as early as possible and fast beforehand, then post the results here for advice).

If you find it difficult to speak at the GP surgery why don't you write it all down. If you feel the need to explain you can blame your confusion/brain fog.

If you don't get anywhere with the GP you have the option of private testing.

Another option wouldbe to try your pharmacist which may give you more confidence.....A trial run?

It is probably very useful to become as clued up as youcan by reading others' experience on this forum and on Thyroid UK.

Good luck!

Morning Jegg

I am no expert... Like you, I found my way here. I have been diagnosed with Hyperactive Thyroid ... actually Graves Disease.

I had been feeling very bad for a long time .. when , by chance I developed a rash on my face... caused by using steroid cream on my body for a very widespread itch.

My GP told me it was my age ... all due to menopause !!!

I was having hot flushes every hour in the day , including in bed ... sleep was something everyone else got ... but not me !

my breathing was difficult lying down and my heart raced, thumping in my head.

At times I felt I could hardly string two words together , and I would feel my mind

was very confused at times , never able to complete a task properly, my joints were very painful particularly my shoulders elbows wrists.

I was completely exhausted by 2 / 4 o'clock in the afternoon, my hair was falling out and breaking off, I had virtually no eyebrows or eyelashes, my nails shredding at the ends,

actually the list is endless ..........

The worst feeling of all was a feeling of terror ... not just anxiety but terror I was so

afraid... and the feeling that I just wanted Sleep and to die......

back to the itch and the rash on my face (above )

having lost hope of getting help from GP , I paid for an apt. with dermatologist

regarding the rash on my face ... she was lovely, and told me when I explained about being given steroid cream for my itch .... that I Did Not have an issue with

menopause ..... " You have a thyroid condition.... and I'm going to write to your

Doctor .... she did , and he reluctantly tested me ....

He was embarrassed , to say the least to tell me i had hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease .....

I have been taking CARBIMAZOLE since then in high doses first and now declining doses to try to bring my thyroid to a level where I can manage it ...

It may not be the cure I'm looking 👀 for but it's keeping things at bay at the moment

I DO FEEL it's creeping back up again... but go to see Endocrinologist next week

and hope we can keep control of it by my medication still.

Jegg , you seem to have symptoms similar to the ones I have ... you probably

have a few more symptoms too, that you're not really aware of at the moment, but soon will be on here.

More knowledgeable people on here, than me will give you sound advice on what to do next..

I just wanted you to know ... you're not imagining these symptoms ... so don't be fobbed off... dig your heels in and insist on the blood test for diagnosis of Thyroid disease as you sound like you may well have it ...

Stay in this site... and do not lose hope... there's loads to learn on here.. I found

taking in all the info. about supplements very helpful and now take many

supplements as advised by those more knowledgeable than me on here.

I'd have been like a fish out of water if I hadn't found this site , so stick with it

and the Very best of luck.. in your pursuit for better health.

Kind Regards 🌹

Hi Jegg. Sorry you're not feeling well and you certainly do need to get some tests to check this out.

I would opt for gp testing in the first instant simply because it is free, gp is more likely to take the results seriously and less likely to feel alienated than going straight for private testing.

It can be a long and bumpy Road so working together with your gp is always better, although saying that not a lot of doctors actually know that much about thyroid problems but you'll find that out the more you educate yourself.

This is a fantastic site for help, knowledge and research. You can use the search bar to find almost anything. There is also the Thyroid UK website that had loads of information.

I always take notes of my symptons, and a list of prioritised questions when I see my doctor. It felt odd at first but at least I know I won't forget what I need to say and always write down the answers. My doc is now used to me coming in with my pad and folder full of research.

I would ask gp for full thyroid panel

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPOab (antibodies)

and because nutrients levels suffer with thyroid problems also ask for

Vit D3

Iron

Ferritin

Folate

Active B12

Always get bloods done early as possible and do not take medication, eat or drink anything but water before the test.

Always get a copy of your blood test results, (they can't say no but may try) you are fully entitled by law to a copy.

You will probably find out at this point which tests the labs are willing to do and then you'll know which ones you need to obtain privately. I used blue horizon thyroid ten when I did mine as a home finger prick test.

Post the results here with the ranges and someone with great knowledge and experience will help out prior to going back to your doctor, at least then you can get some research together.

yup all the symptoms of HYPOTHYROID

you need tests for

Thyroid Antibodies

TSH

Free T4

Free T3

Ferritin

Folate

B12

Vit D3

write a letter to your doctor

say that its been strongly suggested by other hypothyroid sufferers that its the reason for your symptoms /...............List them all

ask him to please order the above tests so the reason for your continued symptoms can be confirmed

Yes you definitely need to have all the tests that the doctor won't be able to do.....you need

TBG

T3 uptake

t3 t4 free t3 free t4

eat roger testosterone

Vitamin D

fasting glucose

hemoglobin

thyroid antibodies

Show him this. He should redo the rest he should then refer you to an endocrinologist. Insist!

Good luck

You have just described my symptoms, I am Hypothyroid.

I would say you have plenty of hypo symptoms. As for testing it depends how the doctors read them. A GP will look at the TSH not at you. If it is elevated then he will put you on T4 only, not a good idea. You need to find a doctor who understands that the tests are a guide only and looking at you is the answer. I would try Dr Peatfield, you can get his details online.

If you have time, I think this would help you understand the holistic view of hypothyroidism.

Welcome to our forum jegg, don't be apprehensive about seeing your GP (after all if in the UK you have helped to contribute to his studies and degree).

Ask him for a Full Thyroid Function Test (they usually only do a TSH and maybe T4) but we need to know more than this. The Free T3 and Free T4 blood tests are very useful.Some labs only do the TSH and ,if normal range, they don't do the others but if your GP requests they might follow his instructions.

The appointment must be the earliest possible and fast (you can drink water). If you were on any medication don't take it before the blood test but afterwards. This allows the TSH to be at the highest as they nearly all only go by the TSH and ignore the others.

Get a print-out each time from now on for your own records and make sure the ranges are stated and if you have a query you can post for comments.

Thank you all so much, I will see the GP and hope I get to see one of the better ones, as some you are lucky to get them to look away from the screen.