Feeling rough but GP says my thyroid is in the 'normal' range

[Lehec84]

Does anyone have b12 and thyroid issues? Over the years my thyroid has been boarder line and when I got it tested a few weeks ago my doctor said it was normal 4.57 (range 0.35-5.5) I always feel rough and convinced it isn't just the b12 deficiency that's making me feel this way 😩 My auntie has an under active thyroid but the GP wasn't interested in that! The only thing they picked up on was that my cholesterol was higher than the range so they've booked me in with the nurse to discuss how to change my lifestyle! I would like to point out I'm a mum to three children and weight 9 stone. I don't seem to put weight on or lose it always seem to stay the same!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Lehec84 Your doctor is saying your TSH is normal purely because it is within range. However, it is very high in the range and indicates that your thyroid is struggling, it's not just your B12 that is making you feel the way you do.

Was just the TSH tested? I would ask for another test, which probably wont be agreed to unless three months have passed since your last one, but ask also for the following to be done as well as the TSH:

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

TG antibodies

Vit D

Ferritin

Folate

I would imagine your FT4 will be low in range (another sign you are heading towards hypo), I doubt if the FT3 will be done but one can hope. I think if you're lucky enough to get antibodies tested it will only be TPO. And as your B12 was very low I imagine your other vits and mins could be low as well.

If you GP wont agree, or you'd rather not wait that long, consider doing a private test through Blue Horizon bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/T... which will tell you everything you need to know at this stage - it's an easy to do fingerprick test and you'll get the results back in two days.

[Lehec84 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for your detailed reply! She only tested my TSH levels and when I said it sounded quite high she said it was completely normal and I had nothing to worry about! I'm overdue for my b12 jab (I have them done 3 monthly) and she's blaming my symptoms on that now!

[greygoose]

High cholesterol is a symptom of low thyroid. And, with a TSH that high, I'm not surprised your cholesterol is high.

It's absolutely nothing to do with your life style! Cholesterol is made in the liver. And it's made in the liver because it's an essential nutrient. The brain needs it and the adrenals need it to make hormones. And it is needed to synthesis vit D3 in the body.

Eating high cholesterol foods does not give you high cholesterol. The more you eat, the less the liver makes - the less you eat, the more the liver makes, so you always have the same amount. However, if your FT3 is low - and, of course, they don't bother to check that! - your body will not be able to use the cholesterol properly, and it mounts up in the blood.

But, this is not a problem! You do not need to take statins - statins are a very bad idea. High cholesterol will not give you a heart attack, nor a stroke. In fact, you are more likely to have a heart attack if your cholesterol is low! So, don't let them bully you into taking statins.

[Marymary7 in reply to greygoose]

Well said grey goose!

[greygoose in reply to Marymary7]

Thank you.

[Lehec84 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your reply! I had heard high cholesterol was linked to a low thyroid and although my diet isn't perfect (at times) it is reasonably balanced! My dad had a stroke at 40 and I think they are being overcautious which is fine. I just wish they would pay more attention to my thyroid as well!

[greygoose in reply to Lehec84]

Did your dad have high cholesterol? If not, I can't see the connection.

[Lehec84 in reply to greygoose]

He has Hugh blood pressure not sure about the cholesterol though!

[greygoose in reply to Lehec84]

Well, cholesterol doesn't cause high blood pressure. And high blood pressure is a symptom, not a disease.

But, be that as it may, you would be ill advised to start taking statins.

[Lehec84 in reply to greygoose]

I'll bear that in mind 👍🏻 How do I convince my GP that I need repeat bloods though? She said they usually get tested every few months!

[greygoose in reply to Lehec84]

You mean repeating your thyroid labs? Well, not much point in retesting before that. Three months should be good.

[shaws Administrator]

If your GP only did the TSH, ask him to do others on this link.

The predicament we're in in the UK is that the guidelines say that we've not to be given levothyroxine until the TSH is 10 and sometimes it never reaches that. The doctor might well be doing no favours for you by not providing levothyroxine as he's ignoring your clinical symptoms altogether in favour of the results.

He has a cheek asking your to see the nurse re your High Cholesterol to change your lifestyle. Cholesterol is raised through being hypothyroid - nothing to do with our diet at all and don't take statins until your thyroid hormones are sorted out. I am always amazed that they can hand out prescriptions for the clinical symptoms, i.e. cholesterol, pain, insomnia and we could go on and on but not thyroid hormones, even on a trial basis would do no harm.

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

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

tick off the above symptoms.

Did you have the blood test at the very earliest possible and fasting? That allows the TSH to be at its highest.

I have hypothyroidism and pernicious anaemia. P.A. was diagnosed long before I had symptoms.

[Lehec84 in reply to shaws]

You're highlighted some very interesting points there - thanks! We have a sit and wait process for blood tests so think it was done around 11am (there were 30 people in front of me!) I will ask about the other tests not sure if I'll get any joy though. Wish I could afford a private blood test!

[shaws Administrator in reply to Lehec84]

Let's hope your TSH is high enough to be diagnosed. Most doctors only go by the TSH and are following the rules. Who made the rules, goodness only knows. They seem to only check TSH and maybe T4 and nothing else.

[Lehec84 in reply to shaws]

Unfortunately my GP only plays by the book so I very much doubt she will allow me to have another blood test done so soon! I've been trying to up my b12 jabs from 12 weeks to 10 but she said it isn't in the 'NICE guidelines' and therefore it won't benefit me (although I'm pretty sure it will!) It's so annoying as I have most of the symptoms related to an under active thyroid (except for the weight gain) I also have a family member with an under active thyroid who was diagnosed at roughly the same age and now they have found my cholesterol is raised which is another link to the thyroid problem. I have private medical insurance but I have to get my GP to refer me and she probably won't do that as she doesn't see that anything is wrong with me 😡

[shaws Administrator in reply to Lehec84]

You have found out that few doctors appear to know anything about thyroid hormones, i.e. that anything above 3 can infer hypothyroidism. They don't know clinical symptoms.

If you are covered by Private Medical Insurance I don't think you need to be referred. Email [e-mail] and ask for a list of recommended doctors and phone and make an appointment. I've had private appointments and haven't gone through the GP.

If your private health insists your doctor refers, you can ask your own doctor to do so as you want a peaceful mind as you are feeling quite ill with clinical symptoms. You can say you've been in touch with the NHS Choices for help on thyroid hormone dysfunctions Thyroiduk.org.uk.

Re your B12, you can buy sublingual methylcobalamin B12 which will help your low B12.

[Lehec84 in reply to shaws]

Thanks for the info I will definitely find out! I'm not the most forthright person in the world and I'm too polite to argue with the GP (which is probably why I never feel like I get anywhere!) I'll let you know how I get on! Thanks again

[shaws Administrator in reply to Lehec84]

You don't have to argue. You can say that you are now a member of Healthunlocked Thyroiduk.org.uk the NHS Choices for information about the thyroid gland dysfunctions and have been given some recommendations.

That you'd be happy if you can have some further tests to put your mind at rest and get on with life.