Blood tests from BH - not sure what to do now with low-ish T4 and "OK" T3....

[DumbBlonde]

Hello again -

I took advantage of the BH offer and - with help from Hospital Phlebotomy (GP/Surgery refused) - sent off my blood on Tuesday. Very speedy results...... :o)

But I now do not know what to do, given that the T3 could be classed as "OK" but the T4 is low-ish (I though T4 was used to makeT3?) and the TSH has risen from (I think) 2.6 back in March......

(Would T3 not help me now....?)

I do have an appointment later today with the GP but am not optimistic anyway as I know I sound as though I am self-diagnosing/asking Dr Google - but for some time now, I have had the most awful burning sensation in certain areas of my body after eating, usually, sugar or anything sweet (which I do rarely, so easy to pinpoint), and can hardly take a deep breath (even though I push through it to try and walk about 1-2 miles per day and/or go a few miles on my bike....) But I am so weak and tired, I could (and do) cry - and the rolls and rolls of "fat?" keep piling on, despite a very very restricted diet; I have become too afraid to eat, which I know compounds the matter. The burning seems to be a symptom (along with others) of heading toward diabetes and it is that that I wanted to (reluctantly, because I know what they think of me...) speak to a Dr about......

Can anyone please help me with understanding what's going on with these results?

xx

[Hidden]

DumbBlonde - do you have gut issues? I can relate to your burning sensation, it can be extremely painful. Also your B12 needs to be higher.

Sorry not to be of any help but reckon that it may be worth addressing your gut as a first step.

[DumbBlonde in reply to Hidden]

Thanks cinnamon girl...... do you have the burning in your skin? Because that's what I have; in addition to the sometimes terrible issues within my digestive tract.

The burning seems to focus on/in the areas where I have "laid down" (like a bear preparing for winter) what I suppose must be fat.... tops of arms and some areas above my waist but on my back (if that makes sense).

This particular symptom does only happen if I were to eat say a cookie or something that has some kind of sugar element. I hardly eat anything at all because of the side effects - but I can just imagine how it will play out with the GP (who believes two conflicting things about me; that all of my issues are attributable to poor mental health - and that anyway, everything is in my head) even though surely the TSH level must mean something..... I just don't know what to do now - I thought the result would be lowT3 so I could just start on that. Now I am not sure if thyroid hormones will even help....

I see that the B12 is low (by our standards on here) so will have to start being consistent with that supplement - but I cannot even manage that these days. I am literally afraid to put ANYthing into my body now.

:o(

[Hidden in reply to DumbBlonde]

DumbBlonde - no, not on my skin. It often appears some time after eating but will occur quickly if I've eaten a biscuit.

Worth buying your own meds for a reasonable trial period. B12 can be dissolved under the tongue so that's nice and easy.

I can sympathise with not wanting to consult with a GP, there's so much good advice on here that you really don't need to put yourself through the torture of dealing with blinkered doctors.

Hang in there!

[sassykate0000]

Hi. Sorry that I can't help you with your results but I just wanted to know what offer your on about? Desperate for private blood tests x

[Clutter in reply to sassykate0000]

Sassykate0000,

You can order private blood tests via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[DumbBlonde in reply to sassykate0000]

Blue Horizon has an offer of £30or more off some of their tests:

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/

I'm not sure if this link will work but their website shows them all :o)

x

There is always a discount (?10%) if going through Thyroid UK but the offer prices don't allow for the discount code to be included as well....

[Clutter]

DB,

FT4 is normal for someone not on Levothyroxine, and FT3 is good. TSH >2.0 indicates thyroid is beginning to struggle to produce the FT4 and FT3 but it is unlikely your GP will diagnose hypothyroidism until TSH is over range. This doesn't mean that you wouldn't benefit from thyroid replacement but it does mean you would have to self medicate.

CRP is elevated which indicates you have inflammation somewhere in the body. Your GP can do a full blood count to rule out infection.

Ferritin is optimal 75-100 in your range. You could supplement iron and take it with 500mg-1,000mg vitamin C to aid absorption and minimise constipation.

B12 is optimal around 1,000 so you could supplement 1,000mcg methylcobalamin and take a B Complex vitamin to improve folate.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

[DumbBlonde]

clutter - thank you!!

I have had slightly elevated CRP before but nothing ever done. It seems to be both an indicator and a possible cause of possible CV troubles...... I had some bloods done in March that showed signs of anemia and low ferritin and TSH on the rise....

I do have some NDT but never taken it and now would be unsure if the T3 is good and T4 acceptable..... Would it help me at all now....?

If I am not - based on my "diet" deficient in - oh, just about everything, then I must be superhuman (on a biochemical level). But I do feel like death on legs, even though blood tests show as somewhat OK.

Laptop battery needs charging and have to go to Library but will be back soon.

xx