Hypothyroidism or menopause ?

[Fatbag60]

I'm new to this so please bear with me. I was told 4 years ago that I was borderline and put on 50 mg of thyroxine. I did improve a little but I've never really felt like I used to before I had the problem. Is this the same for everyone? Recently I've been feeling I bit grim again, everything has slowed down and I feel like I'm stuck in treacle . My brain is the worst and I have been concerned that I may be starting with dementia. I'm waiting for the results from my doctor. Can anyone tell me what the results should read as I don't understand them

[shamicuk]

Would be worth getting the thyroid checked again. Any tsh over 4 is underactive (by NHS standards anyway). I'd a mushy brain when I was first diagnosed with a tsh of 46, even had it when I was tsh 16/50mcg levothyroxin. Also could hardy walk the length of myself. Hopefully it all goes well and it turns out to just be thyroid (Granny had dementia and that is worse).

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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 (our own or replacement ones) to work in our cells.

Common to be low in any or all of these, especially if under treated. Low b12 causes brain fog and confusion. Any result under 500 on B12 is suspious, especially if also low in folate.

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, the most common uk cause of being hypo. NHS rarely checks TPO and almost never checks TG. NHS believes it is impossible to have negative TPO and raised TG. It's rare, but not impossible.

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.

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.

Best advice is to read as much as you can. Vitamin and minerals levels are very important, but standard NHS thinking, doesn't at the moment seem to recognise this.

Chicken & egg - low thyroid= low nutrients & low nutrients often means you can't uptake thyroid hormones.

You will see, time and time again on here lots of information and advice about importance of good levels of B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D and gluten connection to autoimmune Hashimoto's too.

Leaky gut and/or low stomach acid implicated too

See - Thyroid uk.org

vitamindcouncil.org/tag/aut...

[Kalicocat in reply to SlowDragon]

LOL, I have high TG Ab only, undetectable TPO, so I'm living proof.

[Fatbag60 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your reply. I was reading a website last night , some information on diet. It said that certain veg can affect your thyroid eg. Broccoli Brusselspouts etc also calcium. I eat loads of broccoli. I also take a multivitamin which has extra calcium. I had no idea this could be lowering the absorption of thyroxine. Why doesn't the nhs inform sufferers on this stuff! I need to read a lot more obviously 😀

[greygoose]

You've been on 50 mcg for four years? It's just a starter dose. Did they not test you six weeks after you started?

When you get your results - with the ranges - post them on here, and someone will explain them to you.

[Fatbag60 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you I will

[Fatbag60 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks