Hi this is my first post on here.
I was diagnosed as hypothyroid 18 years ago - had a 6 month old and a 2 year old at the time and the symptoms which triggered further investigation were horrid periods, and a rash of small patches of eczema. When they asked "are you tired all the time?" the answer was "Derrr!" (I was also working full time as a lawyer -still am).
I have been treated with levothyroxine fairly successfully over the years since - increasing over time from 50 to 150 micrograms. I went up to 150 about 6 years ago - the small patches of eczema started to come back and the dr took one look at me and increased my dose by half.
In the last few months my periods have got worse again, and are now coming 3weeks apart. I am 44 so appreciate that "women's things" may be changing for me (but am annoyed as thought I was too young for that!). Then 2 weeks ago the eczema rash started again. So I booked a blood test. As usual in uk only got tsh and t4 levels - tsh 1.0 and t4 23.6. The receptionist told me this was normal but I know when i am not well and saw the dr the next day. By then I had started to tremble when feeling stressed, and my blood pressure was 170/100 (I have never had high blood pressure). She said she thinks I am right and might be over prescribed now (although couldn't explain why that might be, nor why some of my symptoms are the same as when hypo). She reduced my dose to 125 micrograms and I need to get my blood pressure checked again this week. She did say it may take 6 weeks before I adjust to the new dose. That was weds.
Ok so have been having a fairly stressy time. My oldest is on remand for a minor offence, but it is far from my proudest moment as a mum. My second child is doing his a levels. My youngest is claiming depression (he is 13 - think he is ok really but struggling with teenage stuff). I am a self employed lawyer (stressy job!). I had court on Thursday morning. I am chair of governors at a local school who had ofsted turn up on Thursday. I arrange the training for our lawyer group which meant an annual conference (9 different speakers) on Friday. Visited oldest son in YOI on Saturday. Quite a bit of stress.
I started having real issues with shaking on Friday. Put it down to nerves about the conference (which went really well). Saturday visiting eldest - sat there shaking like a loon. Felt really weird. By yesterday I had to sleep for 2 hours in the day, only did nice things with family and friends, but only stopped shaking for about half an hour after sleeping, then have been shaking continuously ever since. Woken up this morning -shaking. It is not just hands -my whole body is shaking.
The eczema rash is now far worse than I have ever had it. I can't even wear a normal bra.
Have made an appointment to see the dr again but wondered what I should be asking for - conscious GPs don't necessarily know everything. Should I insist on seeing an endocrinologist ? (I have only ever seen one once, when pregnant with my youngest - he wanted to know what caused my thyroid to pack up and of course I have no idea!). Should I do the private thyroid panel test - to get t3 etc - or do I need to give the slightly lower dose of Levo more time? Any help would be gratefully received!!