New to forum - two difficult years with GPs

[Mantras131]

New to posting but not to reading. I have been 'borderline' in terms of my thyroid profile (according to GP) and it took 2 years to be considered hypothyroid. My health has wavered a lot in that time. The usual story, weight gain, fuzzy head, walking through treacle - stairs are not my friend. Now on Levo 75 mg per day and mostly feel better. This forum has provided me with the confidence to declare that I am not depressed, suicidal or menopausal (that shipped sailed a long time ago). My GP practise moved me to another Dr who said that over 40% of women my age suffer from thyroid problems - but the next part of the sentence never came (as in what he could do to help). Just had my bloods done separately and would appreciate advice. Thank you all for contributing to this board - without it - I think I would have left work and just crawled under the duvet.

[radd]

Mantras,

Welcome to our forum and sorry to hear you are not feeling well.

Most GPs do not understand the complexities of thyroid hormone synthesis. If you post any test results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) members will comment.

[Mantras131 in reply to radd]

Thanks Radd - have done so - and already have one response

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Suggest if not been done already, you ask GP to check levels of vitamin d, b12, folate and ferratin. These all need to at good (not just average) levels for thyroid hormones to work in our cells.

Also have you had thyroid antibodies checked? There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) Both need checking, if either, or both are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's - most common cause of being hypo. NHS rarely checks TPO and almost never checks TG.

Make sure you get the actual figures from tests (including ranges - figures in brackets). You are entitled to copies of your own results. Some surgeries make nominal charge for printing out. Alternatively you can now ask for online access to your own medical records. Though not all surgeries can do this yet, or may not have blood test results available yet online, but all should be doing this with couple of years.

When you get results suggest you make a new post on here and members can offer advice on any vitamin supplements needed

If you can not get GP to do these tests, then like many of us, you can get them done privately

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

Blue Horizon - Thyroid plus eleven tests all these.

This is an easy to do fingerprick test you do at home, post back and they email results to you couple of days later.

If you have Hashimoto's then you may find adopting 100% gluten free diet can help reduce symptoms, and lower antibodies too.

NHS doesn't seem to acknowledge we need to address the autoimmune aspect of Hashimoto's, controlling and ideally lowering antibodies, to start to feel better.

[Mantras131 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon - have posted my bloods (Blue Horizon were really efficient) - looks like antibodies are off kilter. If the NHS dont acknowledge - apart from going gluten free - what other actions can be taken?

[Heloise in reply to Mantras131]

Where have you posted your test results, Mantras?

[Marz in reply to Heloise]

.... in a different post/thread !

[tolla36]

Don't listen to your gp. They have very little knowledge on this problem. Ask yo be referred to an endocrinologist ASAP.