Blood Test No. 3 -

[Lrsvocal]

Hello,

Brief background: I’m originally from London, but previously lived in the US from age 10-28, where as a teen I was diagnosed with chronic ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura - autoimmune blood disorder). This fortunately went into remission during Uni.

In 2014, I moved back to London to pursue the rest of my twenties & met the love of my life. I moved up to Sheffield to be with him & my health seemed fine apart from a stressful stretch of temp-work, during which tell-tale thyroid symptoms (fatigue, cold hands/feet, constipation, hard time keeping weight off) went unnoticed in my busy-ness. Then in May of last year, I chose to prioritise the option to complete my US citizenship. It was a significant life change as I was back in the US without my now-fiancé. Almost immediately I encountered a series of random & ongoing symptoms including:

-numbness of toes following a rapid onset of 'allergy-induced bronchitis' – treated w/ prednisone

-several bouts of hives/wheals shortly after waking first thing in the morning – treated w/ antihistamine

-inflammation in muscle/joints

-constipation despite superfood diet

-inflammation of muscles/joints during personal strength-training

-Alopecia

Immediately upon returning to the UK mid-November ‘16, I went to my NHS GP and asked for a thyroid panel to start with, after much research.

My TSH was a high of 24. I was put on 75mg Levothyroxine. 2 months later and no noticeable change in symptoms, but TSH was 8.6 – I was increased to 100mg. I feel my symptoms are always present, but sometimes a lot worse.. lately I’m dead-exhausted and run down, hair is still thinning, and I wake up sweating but always have frozen feet. I eat a very balanced diet to the best of my awareness for autoimmune etc. I have cut my caffeine intake to rest my adrenals, I utilise essential oils, all natural body-care (avoiding endocrine disruptors) and hot baths frequently, I am no longer strength training (post diagnosis per understanding my limits) but do yoga and walk frequently. I want to kick into gear as I am 1yr away from our wedding – but find myself exhausted and discouraged – literally out of breath quite often, as if I've just sprinted a couple of miles, when I'm merely sitting at my desk or walking up my driveway.

I had my blood drawn Friday morning (after taking my tablet, which I now feel was a mistake). I’ve just called for the result which was:

Serum TSH: 0.59 (0.27 - 4.2 satisfactory) – this is surprising to me and puts a big question mark in my mind as to what’s running me down.

Welcoming any advice on next steps. I now have a permanent job w/ Westfield private health coverage, so I’d like to be referred to an Endocrinologist to dig deeper into my Adrenal Fatigue.. how best do I pursue this with my GP?

Thank You.

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum and am sorry you have had a litany of ill-health from one thing or another.

I would advise you to get a Full Thyroid Function Test - GP wont do them all as they've been told that TSH and T4 is all that is required. It isn't. You can ask GP and if he refuses you can get a private one from one of our recommended labs. Your GP should test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

You need T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3 (these two most important) and thyroid antibodies.

Blood tests should always be at the earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your dose of levothyroxine and the test and take afterwards. Levo should be taken first thing with a full glass of water and wait about an hour before eating as food interferes with the uptake.

Always get a print-out from the surgery with the ranges and post if you have a query.

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

[Lrsvocal in reply to shaws]

Thank You! I will do.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Lrsvocal]

Also do TSH

[Marz]

Sounds as if your levels of B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD - are low so ensure those are tested too.

The anti-bodies are TPO & Tg.

Home testing kits available from various companies listed on the main website of Thyroid UK .....

thyroiduk.org

Also when Hypo we absorb poorly so even with a good diet it can be an uphill battle.