Since last year I've had bouts of feeling weak in the legs, spaced out and not with it. Heart palps and feeling so tired I just want to literally fall asleep. The worst sensation is this tingling throughout my body and like you decribe I feel poisoned.
Doctor has tested tsh a few month ago and says it's normal. It's 2.4mu/L
I believe I'am feeling like this because of my thyroid medication but have no proof. I work five days a week like most, but feel on and off so tired I just can't function normally.
He won't allow me to have t4 or t3 tested as he says my area wont spend money on this which is frustrating.
I'am eating healthy, taking b complex with magnesium and iron.
Other bloods I've had checked are,
Vit D 36.1 nmol/L
Tsh 2.4 mu/L
Ferritin 65 ug/L
I've not got my b12 results or folate.
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Cheekycharlie1981
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I think you are not 'cheekie' enough. Your doctor refuses to test anything other than the TSH and at 2.4 it is high for someone already diagnosed and on thyroid hormone replacements.
Change your GP or take things into your own hands. You are now 34, the prime of your life, and have been unwell since your 20's (thanks for your profile).
If you can afford to get your own blood tests Thyroiduk have recommended labs and I know some people have used them. Blue Horizon for instance do 'pin-prick tests) which is a postal way of doing them.
You can put up a post asking those who have had tests for their views.
The mistake many doctors make is believing that if someone is taking thyroid hormones it's o.k. for TSH to be anywhere in range. Not so - if we have been diagnosed we feel best when TSH is 1 or lower or suppressed,
It would apper to me you are not on sufficient hormones. If your GP hasn't test your Vit B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as we are usually deficient which can cause
You will see from this one that you can be diagnosed with hypo and yet, you have already been diagnosed and feel awful. If we are on an optimum of thyroid hormones and symptoms aren't alleviated and we feel well, we aren't on sufficient or ones that suit. It is a pity that the guidelines state only levothyroxine should be prescribed. Many on this forum are on it because they aren't well on levo.
.
(I am not medically qualified - just have had experience like many others on this forum but I am now well)
So your doctor wont spend money on a patient on two blood tests FT4 and FT3 yet is willing to let you suffer for years. Word fail me completely.
Thank you for your post, so not to sound dumb are my levels to high or low?
I do feel exhausted, I get headaches, my skins dry, bags under my eyes. Just so tired I just feel like I'am out of my own body. It's awful trying to work.
I work outside stand about 7hrs of that day walking out in the cold.
I just can't describe how rubbish I feel.
Doctor says it's stress and my bloods are fine.
So why am I feeling spaced out tied and constant headaches. I've been tested in the past for things and no conclusion.
I've move to the huddersfield area from Sheffield and since the health care system is shocking.
I've had most my percription list change or products taken off even after causing a fuss.
If I could could sum up the gps at this surgery I would say they say I'am over weight so that's caused my gallbladder to be full of mobile stones, my back to be that of a 50 year old and all my weird tingling sedation and tiredness is stress.
Ahh they make me stressed. They so don't care. Doctor said in this area they can't request t4 or t3.
I'd have to go private he said, I'am paying out for me and my partner so I can't afford this. NHS has failed me since I was in my teens.
First gp I saw told my parents I ate to much and that's why I was over weight. I'am tall nearly 5,9 struggled all my life to be healthy weight. My weight is just over 13 stone.
For a 34 year old I feel like an old women who can't get passed 9.30 at night without nodding off. Who gets heart palps and weird tingling throughout body.
As a very general rule (there are always exceptions) :
In people developing hypothyroidism, TSH goes up, Free T4 and Free T3 go down.
In people developing hyperthyroidism, TSH goes down, Free T4 and Free T3 go up.
As far as doctors are concerned :
Subclinical hypothyroidism is TSH over the reference range, and Free T4 in range. (They don't test Free T3 very often.) Overt hypothyroidism is TSH over 10, and Free T4 under range.
Subclinical hyperthyroidism is TSH under range and Free T4 in range. They are more likely to test Free T3 if hyperthyroidism is a possibility. Overt hyperthyroidism is ... I'm not sure, sorry.
For a subclinical condition they don't normally agree to treat, although they might do if the patient complains of symptoms and has positive antibodies.
I am really sorry your surgery refused to test your T4/T3. I think that's scandalous as we need these two important tests. The TSH is absolutely useless in detecting thyroid hormone deficiencies. Your heart in particular struggles if we don't have sufficient hormones. The reason the doctor has done so is that the guidelines state that the 'TSH only is to be used for diagnosis with the result that there is immense suffering.
There are over 300 clinical symptoms of which, nowadays - in the modern method - doctors are completely unaware of.
See your local MP to complain about your treatment and tell him to phone Thyroiduk.org.uk who will confirm that many are being neglected. It is impacting on your whole life. If it is hypothyroidism it is a serious condition if untreated. And take him a copy of the following: (one of which you have ticked off your symptoms).
Some symptoms - unexplained weight gain. Feeling cold - exhausted - heart playing up etc.
If you take your temperature, it will be lower than average. If you take your pulse it will be lower than the average 60-65 bpm.
It took me seven years approx to be diagnosed - no-one ever did a blood test. Also B12 is very important and if the result comes back under 500 you need to supplement with sublingual B12 methylcobalamin (not cyanocobalam) to get it to around 1,000. B12 is an important hormone rather than vitamin and too little can damage the covering of our nerves (myelin).
Amazon, I've found have a good selection and not too expensive.
Make sure it's methylcobalamin b12 (sublingual are dissolved under your tongue and bypass stomach).
Re working outside. Wear layers, ie several t-shirts and warm jumper and you can take off one by one if you get too warmk. Leggings under trousers.
Hi Shaws, Thank you for the extra information, I've printed out the information on the links you have provided me.
I cannot believe the signs and symtoms, I have so many. The vertigo, balance problems, sore throat, nasal drip, irritable bowel, heavy periods, dry eyes, tinnitus, panic attacks, mirgraines, pressure in the head is something I get a lot of, with the spaced out feelings.
I also have Eczema, pins and needles, dark circles under eyes, dry hair, excessive tiredness, palpitations, pins and needles, cold extremities including my nipples which is like pain in hell.
I could go on, no wonder I feel like I am on my death bed. I am so scared I really am about the stress this is adding to my body and I am pretty much stuck because of my gp because all my problems are caused due to stress according to them.
I am 34, eat well, never smoked never done drugs, I love life and want to live it, but feel my health is just getting worse with each day that goes by.
I am hoping things can now change but its all extra stress to get something to happen.
Shaws I take fem eeze by Natures aid as it contains magnesium, without mag I get cramps in my legs and my tummy. Is the B12 in this no help to me?? it's sold on amazon.
No - the B12 in that supplement is probably not sufficient. Also it may not be methylcobalamin.
Now - you have to take things into you own hands - you now know more than your GP. Be quietly confident (even if you don't feel so).
Not one doctor can understand how desperately unwell we can be when undiagnosed and relying on the doctors to diagnose and assist - it would appear they need educated so maybe yours can be by treating you.
Take to your surgery addressed to your GP a note saying you are a member of Healthunlocked Thyroiduk and have been given advice as they are NHS choices for thyroid gland dysfuncions. That you have made an appointment with him (whatever date you've been given) that you are feeling so unwell and can he please do the most basic of tests which include T3 and T4. Also enclose the following links:-
The appointment should be at the very earliest, don't eat before it but you can drink water. When on levo allow about 24 hours gap between it and the blood test and take it afterwards.
We await with bated breath to see what happens. Oh - to be a fly on the wall!
Don't be disappointed with his reaction and we hope it is sympathetic. Don't let him talk down to you - you've helped educate him. Remain calm and composed at all times (even if you don't feel like it).
I see you have sent off the the private blood tests, so tell your GP you have been forced into getting your own blood tests which you can ill afford. He then might want to do his own!!!!
I have another b complex with added vit c by brand Quest. It does not say the form of b12 all it says is b12 (di-calcium phosphate) but then the biotin and folic acid are the same di-calcium phosphate.
Should I take a multi b or just the b12?
I just get fed up of the array of tablets I have.
My vit d is Together vitimins and I take vit c Together vitimins as well as iron by spartone with added c and the fem eeze which has all the b vits and magnesium.
As I'm no expert on anything much but considering that B12 being a pro-hormone rather than vitamin and can lead to neurological problems it should be methyl:
I can't give you any advice but do think you need second opinion. It's awful that your feeling so ill, and yet doc won't spend the money to get the tests you need?? Omg, if you do change your doc ect, and they find out you are being affected, please write onto the old doc,s surgery and name the doc who wouldn't help you, explain what (hopefully) other docs found out and have a little rant,
I really hope you get it finally sorted out, that you get the treatment you clearly need, and to start to feel better again. Keep us updated honey and good luck 👍👍🍀🍀🍀💐💐💐
Just looked at the private blood test for thyroid 10, it's £99 money I don't have. I find this really hard as my healths at risk of staying like this or getting worse. I wish I could afford it I'd do it in a heart beat to understand more and make my gp listen to the results.
Feeling quite trapped by the health system. And money. Losing a days pay today as had awful sleep last night and felt like I was going to faint at work yesterday.
Hi. I know it's a lot of money but if you could do it it's worth it. If you buy through thyroiduk.org.uk you will get a £10 discount. I did it and it was invaluable. If you do, post your results here for people to interpret them. You can then return to your gp armed with information.
Thank you for that, I did click the links through thyroid UK but did not see the discount. I was looking at the 10 check one so it shows my vit levels too.
So many people go to the doctors with symptoms which puzzle them and the doctors. Before the blood tests we were given natural dessicated thyroid hormones upon symptoms only and if they felt better they were hypo. They've lost that knack of knowing symptoms.
You will see from this link that you could be hypo just from your TSH result.
Your TSH is too high, and vitD and ferritin too low.
The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status and for most this will be when TSH is 1.0 or lower. There is plenty of scope to increase dose and TSH 0.35 is also 'normal' even though it is at the bottom of the range. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email louise.warviill@thyroiduk.org.uk if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP when you request a dose increase.
VitD is optimal 75-200. Most people are comfortable around 100. Supplement 5,000iu D3 for 8-12 weeks then reduce to 5,000iu alternate days.
Ferritin is optimal >100 to half way through range. Supplement iron and take each dose with 500-1,000mg vitamin C to aid absorption and minimise constipation.
Take vitD and iron 4 hours away from Levothyroxine and retest in 6 months.
I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.
Thank you all for your help, the information is invaluable to me it really is. My gp should be ashamed to say I don't require my thyroxine levels checked in more detail and that my iron levels and vit d are also low. I must get my b 12 results now to see if this also is to low.
I've ordered the Thyroid plus ten finger test kit, I really hope it helps with my gp to realise they are wrong.
Started taking Spartone iron with vit c and increased my vit D tablets to two a day, was already on a b complex.
Hope the test comes quick as I really want to start improving my vit levels as soon as but don't want it to mess the results for the gp othwrwise he'll just think I am moaning about nothing again.
Can you believe with all the symtoms I've given my gp he thinks I need an MRI, but yet won't spend money on a few blood samples.
Thank you everyone. I'll be sure to update on the test kit, what it's like and my results for you to all see.
So I've been to the doctors and presented myself the best I can.
My private blood test say all is normal and no action needed so feel a bit frustrated as I still feel all I've decribed in previous posts.
Here are the results,
Private test results,
CRP 1.00 mg/L
Ferritin 81.0 ug/L
TSH 0.81 iu/L
T4 total 113.2 nmol/L
Free T4 18.09 pmol/L
Free T3 4.32 pmol/L
Anti-thyroid peroxide abs 18.9 Klu/L
Anti-thyroglobulin abs 69.8 Ku/L
Vit 12 486 pmol/L
Serum folate 20.29 nmol/L
These are the test results by my gp did in March, the doctor last time printed me out results from February so not helpful. The Feb results are at the start of the thread and I was tsh of 2.4
Anyway most up to date gp results dated March.
TSH 0.64 mU/L
Vit b12 484 ng/L
Folate 8.9 ug/L
Ferritin 77 ug/L
Any advice would be welcome on my results.
Also worth mentioning the doctor now wants to lower my thyroxine med, is this right given I'am tired?? It's 150mg levothyroxine that I am on currently.
She what's to re check tsh in 3 months to confirm lowering dose. I've told her I'am tired, dizzy etc.
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