Thyroid ignorance

[Vicks29]

Hi. 11 years ago i was told that I had a thyroid problem (under active) hashimotos and graves disease.  11 years later, I need to understand it better, i need to lose lots of weight and i need to take control over my meds. I never realised there was so much support out there, and Im desperate to find out more. 

[humanbean]

In order to understand how the thyroid works, this link is quite helpful :

health.howstuffworks.com/hu...

A really good book on the subject of the thyroid is this one :

amazon.co.uk/Your-Thyroid-H...

Some people find it a bit heavy going. I certainly had to read it over and over again to get it past the brain fog. But I found it invaluable in understanding the basics.

The first thing you need is some information about yourself i.e. previous blood test results.

1) Always go to the surgery to discuss this at a non-busy time. Don't get angry, be polite and friendly. The receptionists don't make the rules.

2) Take 2 proofs of identity. You'll need something with your address, and something with your picture e.g. a passport or driving license.

3) Ask your surgery for online access to your medical records. You get given a sheet of paper with various codes on, and instructions on how to register.

4) Once you've registered you might be seriously disappointed. The things people get access to are a) making appointments and b) ordering repeat prescriptions (if you have any). We are all supposed to have access to the coded information in our medical records too, including blood test results. That is the sticky bit though. Only a few people get this access. Many surgeries are dragging their heels. You might be one of the lucky ones. If you are one of the majority though, it won't be available. If it isn't available then do the following ...

5) Ask your surgery for copies of any blood tests you've had over the last 3 - 5 years. You need the numbers and the reference ranges. If you are lucky they may print it out for you there and then. Most likely though is they will need to get permission from a doctor and that probably won't happen on the spot. Ask when it would be convenient for you to pick up the results. Ask how much it will cost. Don't forget your proofs of identity each time you ask about this. Getting a few sheets of results shouldn't cost more than the cost of the paper and ink - no more than £1 or £2. If you have any difficulties, or they try to rip you off, then come back and tell us about it and we can give you more suggestions to break the deadlock.

The other thing you need is a complete set of thyroid results and some results for vitamin and mineral levels. You can do this privately with finger-prick testing :

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

On this site homebloodtests.co.uk/ the following are the best tests to get for thyroid :

Thyroid Check Plus Six

Thyroid Check Plus Ten

On this site bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/ the following are the best tests to get for thyroid :

Thyroid Check Plus Six

Thyroid Check Plus Ten

Thyroid Check Plus Eleven

Thyroid Check Plus Twelve

All the above tests require finger prick blood samples, except for the Thyroid Check Plus Twelve. That needs a full sample from the elbow, so you would need to get someone to take blood for you. Some NHS hospital phlebotomy departments will take blood for private testing purposes for a fee. That fee varies wildly, from nothing up to £30. Phone up and ask. Check that you can get someone to take blood for you before you order the test.

In your shoes I'd go for the Thyroid Check Plus Eleven. All the instructions and kit you need to prick your fingers, lancets, vials for the blood, where to send the blood etc are posted to you when you order the test, and you can then do the test when it is convenient for you.

The best time for thyroid testing is first thing in the morning before breakfast. Don't eat or drink (except water) until after you've done the test, and don't take your thyroid meds until after the blood draw.

Once you have your results (they are emailed to you), write a new post on here and give us all your results. We'll give you feedback on what you can improve and how to improve it.

Welcome to the forum.