Tired of being tired

[Bgroves]

I have had the symptoms (tiredness, feeling the cold, weight gain/hard to loose weight, brain fog, poor concentration) for years - since I was about 15 (now 38) had various blood tests including thyroid but all within normal ranges. I have always been told it's chronic fatigue syndrome but I am not convinced. Seeing GP again tomorrow - any suggestions?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Bgroves Print off this list and tick any that apply and discuss with your GP

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

Tell him that information comes from NHS Choices recommended source of information.

Do you have a print out of your previous results with reference ranges? If not, ask for them. Normal doesn't mean anything, it's where in the range you fall that does. A high TSH could mean your thyroid is struggling. If your TSH is rising over time, this points to possible hypothyroidism, and low FT4 and FT3 along with high TSH do as well.

If you are going to have more thyroid tests, book the very first appointment of the day and fast overnight (water only). This will give the highest possible TSH and may help towards a diagnosis.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Also ask for your thyroid antibodies to checked. There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) 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.

If you have high antibodies, but "normal" TSH, then it is recommended by NICE guidelines that GP should treat you.

ALWAYS Make sure you get the actual figures from tests (including ranges - figures in brackets). You are entitled to copies of your own results.

Also ask if they will 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

[shaws Administrator]

Did you have the blood test at the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water). That method gives you the highest TSH and many doctors only go by the TSH. CFS may have been given if your TSH hadn't risen sufficient. In the UK the powers that be have deemed that a TSH must reach 10 before being diagnosed as hypo. All over the world, as far as I know, we'd be given hormone replacement if it goes over 3.