Any help and advice please

[Barbarababs]

I am having many, many Under Active Thyroid Symptons (using a checklist from the internet) I had bloods done two weeks ago and due to see my GP tomorrow morning. I have already called for my results and my TSH is 1.4 ( very good said the receptionist) I have been having repeat bloods taken since Iast October as my ESR blood results are continually raised. I had a thyroid scan several years ago after a funny turn while on business abroad. This showed I had goiters. When I came back to the UK my GP said he would do a thyroid test there and then - he have me a glass of water and looked at my throat when I swallowed and said I was fine. I had Radiotherapy three years ago on my neck shoulder and breast and am taking Tamoxifen (hormone anti cancer drug). I want to push for more Thyroid blood tests tomorrow- what do you think?

[shaws Administrator]

Ask for a Full Thyroid Function Test,

TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate and thyroid antibodies.

Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Tests for thyroid hormone should be the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water). If on thyroid hormones you'd allow 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards.

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

If GP or labs wont do them all, we have private labs which will do them.

[Barbarababs in reply to shaws]

Thank you, can you recommend a private lab.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Barbarababs]

There is three and link is below:

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

[Barbarababs in reply to shaws]

Had appointment with GO yesterday and guess what - wont do bloods for further thyroid bloodscas my TSH is 1.4. I took with me the symton check list that had i ticked but he didn't look at it. He suggested I arrange to see a private Thyroid Consultant and have further bloods taken with him. My ESR bloods have came back still raised ( doctor dosent know why) but suggests I have ME.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Barbarababs]

Oh yes! ME, CFS are Fibro are the diagnosis when they only take notice of the blood test alone and not listen to the patient and the clinical symptoms. They give 'another' diagnosis because our TSH is in range. We need it one or lower and some need it suppressed but they will tell you that if it is suppressed we'll have a heart attack or osteo. Or anti-depressants because we keep complaining.

Before the blood tests were introduced along with levothyroxine we were given NDT and it was increased until we had no symptoms.

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

[Barbarababs in reply to shaws]

Thank you Shaws for quick response as usual. Does anyone have details of a good consultant in the Northamptonshire area? I am seeing my oncologist on Tuesday and I know he will run all the blood tests you have recommended

[shaws Administrator in reply to Barbarababs]

If anyone does have info it will be sent to you by Private Message. Also email [e-mail] who has a list of Endos.I'd put your request onto a fresh post as this is now 2 days old.

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Barbarababs.

TSH 1.4 is euthyroid (normal). However, TSH testing can only rule out primary hypothyroidism due to failure of the thyroid gland and it will miss a diagnosis of secondary hypothyroidism where FT4 is low due to pituitary dysfunction and lack of TSH stimulation. If you can persuade your GP to test FT4 in addition to TSH it would be helpful. FT3 is rarely tested in primary care unless TSH is <0.03.

If you can't persuade your GP to test further you can order private labs via bbc.co.uk/radio4/programmes... It would be helpful to order a bundle of TSH, FT4, FT3, Thyroid antibodies, ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate.

A goitre is a swelling of the thyroid gland. Goitres can be found in euthyroid, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients.

The swallowing test your GP did would have identified a thyroid lump (usually a nodule or cyst) which goes up as you swallow. I identified a lump in my neck as thyroid related by drinking water while I watched the lump move up and down in the mirror as I swallowed. The lump would have to be quite large to be seen that way so it doesn't conclusively rule out a nodule or cyst. It is likely that nodules or cysts would have been seen on the scan 3 years ago.

[Barbarababs in reply to Clutter]

Thank you for your quick responses. There were nodules on my scan ?

[Clutter in reply to Barbarababs]

Barbarababs,

It's not unusual to have thyroid nodules and it would be unusual to die without any.