My first question here - help and advise appreciated following my last session with my Doctor.

[nigelm]

I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid just over 8 weeks ago and put on 100mg of Levothyroxine. Someone pointed me in your direction and I have been following ever since, taking in all your advice and comments. Good to know I am not alone although I know it is less common in men.

My symptoms were (and still are), shoulder pain which I went to the doctor about and he sent me for physiotherapy - during that they noticed a swelling in my neck. Back to doctor who sent me for a blood test and then I was diagnosed. Cold hands and trouble getting them warm (giving blood is a nightmare as a result too!), feeling tired and not that enthusiastic, plus weight gain all them fell in to place as symptoms.

I've had an ultrasound on my neck and shoulder and that has highlighted a build up of fat so no other concern there.

My last blood tests have come back and is in range free T4 18.0 pmol/L (range 12 - 22) and TSH 1.08 mu/L (range 0.27 - 4.2). Despite this my Doctor has upped my dosage of levothyroxine by 25mg. I did mention about other blood tests for B12, Vitamin D an Ferritin and said he will ask for those at my next check up in 8 weeks (I forgot to ask about T3). The one good thing is that I have started to loose weight.

[shaws Administrator]

Hi nigelm

Welcome to our forum and your doctor has given you a decent dose to start with and when your next blood test is due it should be the earliest appointment and fasting (although you can drink water). Also allow 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards. This helps keep your TSH higher. Taking hormones before a test skews the results.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges and post if you have a query.

If you've not had B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate tested ask for these as we can be deficient.

Levo should be taken on an empty stomach with one glass of water and wait for about an hour before eating. Food can interfere with the uptake.

[nigelm in reply to shaws]

Thanks Shaw - yes i have been following your advise with blood test in the morning on an empty stomach - well was halfway through the morning by the time they did get blood out of me had to go somewhere else as my surgery were unsuccesful!

Think I am on the mend just annoying my symptoms are still persisting despite now being in range.

[shaws Administrator in reply to nigelm]

Next time test is due, make sure you are well-hydrated the previous day. It makes drawing blood much easier.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to nigelm]

nigelm as shaws says, make sure you're hydrated to make the blood draw easier. I always have a big glass of water immediately before I go in (or two if I can squeeze it in).

The phlebotomist at my gp's surgery says also make sure you're warm and your heart rate is a little high, maybe have a brisk walk to the surgery or trot up some stairs immediately before the blood draw (not always easy if they keep you waiting).

I used to have terrible problems w the blood draw but no more since I've been following her advice.

[nigelm in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Thanks - I'll try and remember those tricks for my next check up at the end of January