Diagnosing

[JoshRH]

Hi everyone, so I had a hormone test, the doctor said my thyroid slightly up and down but nothing to worry about, but I've spoke to my friend who's also a doctor and he says I possibly do have a thyroid problem but because of the NHS cut backs I'm not at a level to be dealt with, so I'd just want to know what kind of symptoms you lot had before diagnoses

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

JoshRH As we're all different, take a look at ThyroidUK's list of signs and symptoms that it's possible to have thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... - of course we don't get them all and we vary in what we do get.

Ask your surgery for a print out of your test results then post them on here for comment.

What is really needed is

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Plus the following vitamins and minerals

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

You can get these all done with a fingerprick blood test to do at home if your GP won't do them thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[JoshRH in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks very much that's a great help

[JoshRH in reply to SeasideSusie]

With the testing kit would I need someone beside me to help me?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to JoshRH]

No. Have a look here and click on Paul's picture for how to do it bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/F...

Some tips:

Drink plenty of water the day before, and on the morning before the test so that you are well hydrated (do test as early as possible, no later than 9am, and fast overnight).

Stand on a small stool (like a toddler toilet step) so that your arm is straight down when collecting the blood.

Have a bowl of hot water, swish hand about in it until hand goes red. You can repeat this if flow stops.

I find pricking my middle finger on the side, nearer the nail bed than the tip, is the best place for me.

Drops will collect where finger has been pricked. Hold arm down so they drip into the little tube (less than 1ml of blood is required).

Don't squeeze your finger, but you can gently 'milk' it to encourage flow. Squeezing will damage the blood.

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum. If you get a print-out from the surgery with the ranges, post them on a new question for comments. We are entitled to copies of our results (some surgeries charge a nominal sum).

I shall give you a list of clinical symptoms and you can tick off the ones you have.

If you are in the UK, doctors have been told to wait until the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormones) reaches 10. In other countries we are diagnosed at around 3+.

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

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

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

Blood tests for thyroid hormones have to be taken at the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and if you are taking thyroid hormone replacements allow 24 hour gap between last dose and the test.

Also ask doctor to check B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

[JoshRH in reply to shaws]

Yeah my friend who's a doctor told me the same thing, thank you for your help