Harrispat

[Harrispat]

Hi there I think I'm going out of my mind my TSH was borderline so doc reduced my Meds to 50 mg from 75 I have been so unwell i had to go to bed with racing heart irregular heart beat and high blood pressure I felt so anxious I thought I was going out of my mind ,now I can't seem to function My legs are like jelly.i think he said my Tsh was 5.25 I don't know the other results ,I have been hypo for about 7 years why can't docs get it right ,they don't want to know,be glad of any help thanks.

[Clutter]

Harrispat,

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status and for most patients that will be when TSH is 1.0 or lower with FT4 in the upper range. Your GP should have increased your dose, not reduced it. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... If you would like to show your clueless GP the Pulse article email [e-mail] for a copy.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you look at the thyroid Uk website you will find lots of helpful information.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/index.....

your GP should also look at Ft4 & FT 3 .....not just adjust on TSH alone

Do you high thyroid antibodies? Have they ever been checked?

If you do, this means your thyroid problem is autoimmune and is called Hashimoto's. There are two sorts of thyroid antibodies TPO (thyroid peroxide) and TG (thyroglobulin) - you can have high levels in either or both. Have you been checked for BOTH types of antibodies? (sadly NHS almost never check TG ones)

it would also be a good idea to ask for blood test to check your vitamin D, B12, folate and ferritin. When hypo, (especially with Hashimoto's) we can be low in these vitamins and minerals. Many of us need these to be at reasonable (usually above average) levels to help thyroxine medication to work.

thyroid problems can have strong nutritional issues.

Hashimoto's patients can find changing to 100% gluten free diet can improve symptoms. Low stomach acid can be cause of low nutrition too.

Definitely always aim to get printed copy of all your results (with the ranges - figures in brackets). You are legally entitled to them .

Alternatively if your GP practice is organised, you can register for online access to your own medical records and this may give access to all your test results. (Not every surgery is able to do this yet, but it is planned /agreed that this should happen countywide ASAP)

If you can not get GP to agree to these tests, then like many of us, you may have to resort to private blood tests, to work out what is going on, (Many use thyroid plus eleven test from B horizon)

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

To get highest TSH in a blood test (to try to stop medics reducing dose) the usual advice is to have blood test as early in morning as possible, fasting (water allowed) and don't take thyroxine in the 24hours before hand. Take that days dose straight after test.

When you take you thyroxine this needs to be always on an empty stomach and no food or drink (especially no tea or coffee) for an hour after. Many take their medication on waking, but some of us prefer taking at bedtime. Again no food or drink at least hour before and hour after. We are all different, you have to find which suits you best and stick to it to get consistant results

If you take any other medications these should be at least a few hours apart from the thyroxine (especially iron or calcium - minimum of 4 hours. Probably same applies to few others)

Different brands of thyroxine can suit some people better than others. Changing from brand to brand with each new prescriptions can, with some patients, vary how you feel and make getting better harder. Does this apply to you? If so make a note of the brand you prefer, aim to always stick to it. Best to ask pharmacist and always check that it's correct brand before leaving the chemist.