Ready to scream

[Readytoscream]

I have been trying for over 3 yrs now to get my doctor to help with my thyroid - I keep getting different symptoms over the yrs - 1st a went from being energetic to it taking all my time to load the washing machine - I lost the feeling in my fingers they sent me to a specialist as they thought it was carpal tunnel which it wasn't - my legs stiffen up on a daily basis like I've got lead wellies on - all of a sudden certain foods that I've eaten for yrs give me terrible diarerra within 20 minutes and now my armpits even after a shower are smelling like onions - I keep being sent for blood tests and because they come back boarder line the doctors says there's nothing they can do - my mum had thyroid problems and my sister has but the doc says it's not hereditary - the last time I went I started to cry with frustration and she handed me a mind card and told me to book an appointment with them - I chucked it in her bin and walked out - any help is much appreciated

[Cariad-y-Mor]

Hi Readytoscream. Perhaps you should have thrown the doctor in the bin too......she sounds as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike. !!!! Your doctor may say thyroid problems are not hereditary........but they certainly run in familles as is evidenced by the post on this site. There are alot of vey knowledgeable people on this site.....who will give you good advice ( I am still very much a learner ☺). Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Cariad-y-Mor]

You took the words right out of my mouth x

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Readytoscream Your story is, sadly, very familiar. The first thing to do is ask your surgery for a print out of your blood tests. You are legally entitled to them under the Data Protection Act 1998 so they can't refuse although they may make a small charge for printing. When you have these results, make a new thread with the results, including the very important reference ranges, and members can comment.

Also, it will be very useful to have the following tests done

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies

Thyroglobulin antibodies

Vit D

B12

Ferritin

Folate

That will give a complete picture as to what is going on.

If your GP won't do them for you then do what a lot of us here do and that is take things into your own hands and get them tested privately with a Blue Horizon Plus Eleven fingerprick test you can do at home bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/T...

If vitamin and mineral tests show any deficiencies members can suggest supplements to help and also advise on the thyroid results.

[Hidden]

If you search for onions on this forum you will find discussions on this ... quite a few seem to have this symptom.

Do you have any past thyroid test results with ranges you can post here? The surgery should give you them if you ask.

[Marz in reply to Hidden]

healthunlocked.com/search/o...

[shaws Administrator]

If you've not had a blood test for a while, make a new one for the very earliest and fast (although you can drink water). Ask for all of the tests SeasideSusie suggestsabove and get ones privately that your GP may not do. Most labs only do the TSH alone and GPs make a decision from that whilst ignoring your clinical symptoms.

If you were taking thyroid hormones you'd allow approx 24 hours between last dose and the test and take it afterwards.

If you are hypothyroid you don't want too many unpleasant symptoms appearing before you're diagnosed. Also 'borderline' means you may be close to being diagnosed so early a.m. might do the trick as the TSH drops throughout the day and may make the difference between being diagnosed or not.

[bluebug]

Also start asking people around you about different GPs in different practices they go to. Find out if the people you ask have a chronic condition, how they are treated and whether they had to change GPs practices.

[hebden]

I could have written this post its like a mirror of my experience. My TSH is rising every blood test but always get told its "normal and within range". I had surgery in the past for carpel tunnel, have funny smells coming from me, (sorry) constant fatigue, legs and feet like lead, and almost all of the symptoms on the TUK checklist + more not listed. I get told all the time its depression or menopause and if I had a £1 for every time Ive been offered anti depressants Id be able to afford to go private to get diagnosed properly. Doctors only seem interested in prescribing the same old meds or telling you to rest and take paracetamol. I do nothing but rest because I haven't the energy to do much else. I have changed my gp surgery twice and no difference so I have lost faith. good luck

[Readytoscream in reply to hebden]

I'm the same - i feel 92 and every time I get a new symptom that is triggered for thyroid I get fobbed off like I'm making it up -

[faith63]

i think you have autoimmune thyroid..Hashimotos..those are autoimmune symptoms, that can be helped thru diet change.