Chronic fatigue

[Mags_23]

Hi my Mum has chronic fatigue. It's got so bad now that she would rather sleep then eat & she really can't afford to be doing that. So, apart from getting her T3 tested what else should I make sure is tested? Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

[shaws Administrator]

Hi Mags_23

I have read your post of 1 year ago and see your mother was first diagnosed as hyperactive and then diagnosed as underactive and then later on her thyroid hormones were stopped with the result your mother had seizures and was hospitalized and that is what the hospital told you.

Is your mother, at present, taking thyroid hormones, i.e. levothyroxine(T4) or liothyronine(T3).

What dose, if any is your mother taking at present?

[Mags_23 in reply to shaws]

Thanks for your reply.

My Mum takes 50mg of Thyroxine. She takes citalapram (recently diagnosed with depression) my Mum seen the Endocrine doc in March, where she was still tired at this time, my Mum was on Terazadone & Morphine for pain (not thyroid related) the doc suggested coming off the Terazadone, & reducing the morohine. Which she has, but she has only become even more tired. To the point where all she does all day is sleep. The unfortunate thing is that we are abroad on holiday just now & my Mum has spent the past 4 days & night's in bed sleeping. Only waking up for a drink or the odd thing to eat.

[Mags_23 in reply to Mags_23]

Her bloods where taken at the end of January & we where told that they where "normal"

[shaws Administrator in reply to Mags_23]

Never accept 'normal'. Always get a print-out. For instance if we are not diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Doctors would rely on our TSH to diagnose us, i.e our TSH would be above the range and UK has decided that 10 (ignoring symptoms of course) before being diagnosed.

Once diagnosed our TSH has to be 1 or lower. Our FT3 and FT4 have to be towards the top of the range.

Many doctors wrongly believe that if my TSH is 4.9 that I'm normal, but that doesn't mean patient has no symptoms. My TSH should be below 1. (normal just means we are somewhere in a range and are unaware it should be bottom fo TSH and top for FT3 and FT4. FT3 etc aren't the same as T3 and T4.

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

I think it would be wise to get your Mum checked out now,

[Mags_23 in reply to shaws]

We are flying home tonight, I think I'll take her straight to a&e when we get home. I know there's something not right.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Mags_23]

It is definitely the right thing to do. You know your Mum better than anyone else and hopefully they give her a full test. If her hormones are too low to enable her body/brain to work efficiently let's hope they come to a quick diagnosis.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Mags_23]

I'd get your mother's TSH and Free T4 and Free T3 checked as she may be very low in T3 whic could cause depression. Our brain contains the most T3 receptor cells.

Due to the symptoms you describe above, she does sound very hypo and her dose may not be optimum. I don't know whether she can get the blood tests were you are at present. By the way 50mcg is a starting dose of levothyroxine and her TSH should be 1 or lower. Not higher.

everydayhealth.com/columns/...

[Kitti1]

Hi

Sorry your mum is feeling so rotten.

What thyroid treatment is she on now ? Do you have any blood test results form you doctor ( including ranges ) or have you had any private bloods done ? Is she taking any supplements if so what ? What has her gp said about the way she feels ? Has she seen an endocrinologist recently ?

Before thinking of introducing t3 you really need a full bloods check, if you haven't already.

Try blue horizon or medichecks ( sorry can't do links on my tablet ) Blue horizon do 2 good ones to start with - thyroid + 10 and thyroid + 11. They test all thyroid levels including t3 which 99% of doctors won't do. Both test also do antibodies tests, testing for hashimotos, and vit b12, ferritin and folate. Which are important nutrients regarding utilising your thyroid meds. The plus 11 also measure's vitamin d another important nutrient.

There is also 20% discount this weekend at blue horizon. And no I'm not on commission ! Wish I was.

[Mags_23 in reply to Kitti1]

Her bloods where taken in January and the doc said they where "normal"

[Silver_Fairy in reply to Mags_23]

A GP's 'normal' is often not optimal, so that is why members ask for test results (with ranges, the numbers in brackets) to be posted so they can tell you if the levels are ok. Also they will be able to tell you if your Mum is converting the T4 in Levo, to T3 the converted hormone. Levo at 50mcg is quite a low dose.

Did your Mum have B12, Vit D, Folate and Ferritin tested?

[VATersay]

Hi Mags, sounds like Mum really needs to see your endocrine specialist at hospital. If not already been then her doctor needs to refer her. When my thyroid swung underactive after 2 close bereavement I knew within 2 weeks. I was speaking slower,no energy,so cold all the time,all I wanted to do was sleep.I went to see my doctor and she made me an appointment at hospital.After 2 weeks I hadn't heard anything but was getting worse...I explained to her that I was dropping to sleep anywhere and had nodded off in waiting room. She said although she thought I was right and although she shouldn't she was starting me off on thyroxine..She was apprehensive and the hospital weren't happy with her doing it.. My advice is Mum must be seen by an endocrologist.good luck take care.

[Mags_23 in reply to VATersay]

That's exactly like my Mum. But my Mum does take 50mg of Thyroxine. My Mum has a wheelchair for distance and we could be going round the supermarket and she's nodded off. I feel although my Mum is 74, and was diagnosed almost 7 years ago with Lung cancer, that everything is put down to that. But my Mum has had no problems with her cancer since her treatment.

When my Mum initially came out of hospital she was on 100mg of Thyroxine & I'd say that was the best she had ever her. Tho every time her levels where taken, they said that they where "too high" and reduced them to 75mg and now currently on 50mg.

[Stourie in reply to Mags_23]

Hi, maybe I shouldn't butt in here and say that if your mum doesn't get anywhere with her doctor then you should maybe see about self medicating to get her health back.

Jo xx

[Mags_23]

Some good news!!! The GP is gonna come out to my Mums on Thursday & test her T3!!!