Hi I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid approx 20 years ago and take regular medication lv, I have now lost count of how many drs appointments I have been to complaining of general fatigue and lack of energy. I dont know how my poor partner has coped with my complete lack of labido! I have felt like this for probably 8 years and it has gradually got worse. For the last month or so I have felt so rubbish i have actually taken time off work becuase im so wiped out. The dr took blood and called to say my levels were borderline high but that i should continue with the same level of lt but i should take an extra antidepressent every day. Im really not sure this is the answer as feel my mood is ok and its the fatigue etc that causes me to become depressed. Im am fairly overweight but again dont feel this is my main problem. I would greatly appreciate any advice or hear from people with similar problems as i basically feeling like i am slowly going mad.
Ongoing problems: Hi I was diagnosed with... - Thyroid UK
Ongoing problems
Sorry, it is absolutely bonkers to suggest you supplement your *thyroid* meds with an extra antidepressant. Do you know what the rationale is? I am gobsmacked.
I believe the most important thing for you would be to get your results and post them here. I do not think your doctor sounds competent.
On treatment your tsh should be around 1 or anywhere in range which restores health and relieves symptoms. Saying something is 'borderline high' is meaningless so it seems you will need to take the steering wheel on your own health.
To clarify, if your tsh is 'borderline high' then you need more meds! If your t3/t4 are 'borderline high' you need your meds reduced (about a snowball's chance in hell if experience serves). How something is effectively *not right* and yet the only action taken is to add an extra antidepressant just, words fail me.
I must say I found it a bit strange too this is why i decided to google today! So glad I do people are so nice and giving me great advice. thank you so much x
Honestly, poor you. I am reeling from that. What are ADs the stem cells of medicine, you just add them for any reason and they become the thing you need?? x
You don't have any bloods, but i would recommend one thing immediately. At this time of the year thyroid patients seem to always have worse problems. It starts for me in september.
I now know what the issue was - Vitamin D. Get your Vit D level tested. It is likely to be low at this time of the year. IT is important in helping thyroid metabolism work efficiently. Lots of vitamins and minerals are, but i think Vit D is the king vitamin to be taking.
You get get a years supply on amazon giving 5000 IU a day. Prob don't need to take a tablet everyday in the warmer months, but certainly for half the year you want to.
Thank you this definatly something i will look onto x
Hi, I actually thought you was describing me in your post. Re think the anti depressant please till you take advice from this great site.
Ask for your blood results and place them on here.
Be strong your NOT mad your are poorly looked after medically.
It's about five years ago I felt worse and I have been on meds for just over twenty years.
I battle with drs telling me I'm depressed to but you can't fight them while even more drugged up.
I know this site will give you strength x
ah thank you so much for replying. This site is so helpful and have had loads of advice so far. Ive never really thought about the affect it has on my life have always just dismissed it really. Lots of info to take in on here so gonna study it and then return to the dr x
I have similiar issues amongst others and have read that most thyroid patients do not stick to a proper diet for a healthy thyroid. Shockingly though, the widely advised diet is crazily restrictive and forbids, all dairy, all gluten, soya, most nuts, certain veg, fruit juice, salt, coffee and tea. I am thinking of trying it for a while to see if it helps. Maybe worth doing. Not looking forward to it as it means most foods even healthy ones are out. Some people claim they are totally symptom free when they do it and some have had their meds drastically reduced. Wish I knew this to be genuinely true before embarking on this hell hole of an eating lifestyle.
Gosh that sounds very daunting especially as I am a real foodie, would be interesting to know if it helps but honestly dont think i could be strict enough. If youn ahead i wish you lots of luck and hope it works for you xxx
As while as getting your thyroid hormone test results you need to have your ferritin, folate, vitamin D and vitamin B12 checked as commonly thyroid patients are sub-optimal in these.
Be aware the level you need to be optimal is higher than to be just in range. Ideally you should have had these tested in the last 18 months so ask the doctor's staff for the results AND ranges for these particular tests.
If the doctor's staff are difficult then remind them gently that under the Data Protection Act 1998 you have a right to see your test results. If they are still difficult come back here and post a new thread and people will give you advice on ways to get your results. Be aware they may charge you and if they do it is worth getting ALL your medical records. More info -nhs.uk/chq/pages/1309.aspx?...
If you find you haven't had these checked and your doctor is incompetent as he sounds so refuses to test them, then you will need to get them done privately. Commonly posters on here use the Blue Horizon plus 11 finger prick test. More info here - thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
You should also be aware that doctors are not trained in nutrition and exercise, they are just trained to state that if your lab results are in range then it's "normal". This isn't actually true as people with specific conditions including thyroid ones need higher levels of nutrients to actually feel and be well.
Thank you for your advice im so glad i decided to post on here everyone has been so helpful.
Most people on levo need low TSH around (or even slightly below) 1 to be adequately treated. Do you have your latest blood test results.
If they have not been done ......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 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, seeming to think 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) If you are taking Levo, then don't take it in 24 hours before (take straight after). 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 really help reduce symptoms, and lower antibodies too.
thank you so much for your advice i will make another dr app to discuss blood results etc
Cant cope anymore
VISION PROBLEMS
low t3 has taken away years of my life
T3 too high on ndt
