Hi everyone, just had a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, I'm a little confused because my G. P literally just told me I have it gave me a prescription and that was it.
I don't know what has caused it, she didn't tell me my results. All I know is I'm anaemic and low on vitamin d, I also have fibromyalgia.
Should I go back and get more info as I'm wondering if this is caused by Hashimotos?
You should call in at the doctors and ask the receptionist for a print out of your recent bloods then post here with them and the ranges, then you'll get some advice. Everyone here is really helpful.
GP's don't usually test the antibodies but if yours hasn't you can test it yourself with a home blood test from Medicheck or Blue Horizon. It's what many of us had to do to rule out autoimmune cause.
Julie
Thanks so much. I'll do that.
Do you know what dose he has prescribed. We need to start slowly on smallish dose. Take the Levothyroxine every day, and GP should have given you a form to get blood retested after 6-8 weeks.
Usual advice on ALL thyroid tests, 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
You may need an increase in dose, but we always have to increase in small steps.
Read more on Thyroid Uk
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 do you know if you have had thyroid antibodies checked? There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) Ideally both need checking, if either, or both antibodies are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's the most common cause in UK of being hypo.
TPO is rarely checked and TG almost never checked. More common to have high TPO or high TPO AND high TG, but negative TPO and raised TG is possible, though rarer.
ALWAYS Make sure you get the actual figures from tests (including ranges - figures in brackets). You are entitled to copies of your own results.
When you get results suggest you make a new post on here and members can offer advice on results
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...
Also thyroxine must be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. (No coffee or tea) Many take on waking, but can be more convenient and recent research, suggests perhaps is more effective taken at bedtime. (Must be at least two hours after eating)
Did GP explain that you are now entitled to free prescriptions. Ask for a form to apply if they have not given you one
Most people do well on Levothyroxine, provided they are on correct dose and have good levels of vitamins
25mg then probably go up to 100. I don't know if any antibodies were tested, I was just told I needed the medication and given a print out of the NHS information on hypothyroidism. Thanks so much for the advice.
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