Is it worth to do a private test.

[Melsa]

Hello,

this is my first post and I am not sure about rules etc. but I hope this ok to post.

I had a blood test last year and my TSH level was 0.7. The blood test was done because I had some symptoms (fatigue, muscle weakness

, mood swings, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, skin dryness, trouble sleeping, increased frequency of bowel movements, irregular periods).

As tests all in normal range I was told that I am probably just a bit depressed and that was that. Now in the last couple of months, I developed a goitre. The doctor felt it and said yes that's a thing and more blood tests were done and the TSH came back as 0.8 (blood test last year was done very early in the morning, blood test two weeks ago was done at 11am - not sure if this has an impact). No other thyroid tests were done as TSH is normal. Doctor says as I am not losing weight (I am actively trying to lose weight with SW and struggling to do so despite being on plan, ever so slow for me), there is no indication that this is a thyroid issue and hence no more tests apart from the goitre ultrasound in May.

Long story short: Is it worth getting private full thyroid check up done?

Thanks for any info

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Melsa.

Your GP is a bit cavalier to rule out thyroid dysfunction after 2 TSH tests. Your symptoms and development of goitre do indicate you may be going overactive even though your TSH is currently low-normal. It's unlikely either FT4 or FT3 are currently over range otherwise TSH would be lower but it won't hurt to have TSH, FT4 and FT3 done in a few months if symptoms don't improve. It could also be useful to have ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate tested at the same time.

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

[Melsa in reply to Clutter]

Thank you, that's very helpful.

[Angel_of_the_North]

I doubt you are depressed (except at the standard of care). Apparently there are tests (urine tests) that can see the levels of nerotransmitters and see if they are out of whack. I wouldn't accept a diagnosis of depression without those tests (of course, NHS won't have heard of them, let alone be allowed to do them). It's possible that you could be becoming hyper or even have secondary hypo, but without Ft4 and Ft3 it is impossible to tell. It is possible that it is an adrenal problem - try asking for a short synacthen test.

[humanbean]

I think it is worth doing a private test. On the basis of your symptoms you could be heading for hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). There is even a small possibility that you have central hypothyroidism (although unlikely with increased bowel movements).

Whenever the thyroid starts going out of whack there are knock-on effects on nutrient levels. With hyperthyroidism people use up their nutrients quickly. With hypothyroidism they become less able to absorb nutrients from food. Low nutrient levels make everyone feel awful, whatever the cause.

For details about private finger-prick testing and how to do it, see the replies to this post :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Melsa in reply to humanbean]

Thanks, I have ordered a test kit. We shall see.