Symptoms query

Ok, so I am convinced I have been hypo for years, getting steadily worse. a couple of queries - can stress make symptoms worse? I have had dreadful few weeks at work and feel grim. also, are hot flushes a feature of being hypo? I am having about 3 an hour since all the stress, along with the usual exhaustion and depression. it could be the menopause, but seem a very sudden. Not sure if it's linked. any ideas?

[shaws Administrator]

I have looked at a past post and see that your TSH was quite high then and the fault probably lies at the foot of the BTA for informing doctors not to prescribe until the TSH is 10. Which is beyond ridiculous:-

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

This is TUK's interpretation.

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

No-one can explain how bad they feel when their body isn't functioning as it should. Have you had a recent blood test? If not I suggest the very earliest possible, and fasting although you can drink water. I'm assuming you haven't been diagnosed and if you were and taking levothyroxine, you'd allow a 24 hour gap between dose and test.

Post your results with the ranges on a new post.

I am not medically qualified and have hypothyroidism which was undiagnosed and unmedicated for some years. Of course I had been given other diagnoses and treated for them - what a lot of nonsense some of us have to go through.

[startagaingirl]

Hi - hot flushes was the first major stand-out symptom of Hashis & associated hypothyroid that I had. I know they aren't/weren't menopause as I had been clear of those following surgically induced menopause. I now associate these flushes with immune system attacks. Your description of getting steadily worse would also fit with a decline in function caused by destruction of your thyroid. Have you ever had anti-bodies tested?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

Also have you had BOTH 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 cause in UK 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, there are a few members on here that have this.)

ALWAYS 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.

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

Usual advice on ALL thyroid tests, (home one or on NHS) is to do early in morning, ideally before 9am. No food or drink beforehand (other than water). This way your tests are always consistent, and it will show highest TSH, and as this is mainly all the medics decide dose on, best idea is to keep result as high as possible

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

You do not need to have ANY obvious gut issues, to still have poor nutrient absorption or low stomach acid or gluten intolerance