For about 5 years I have had a few blood tests and was diagnosed with IBS (great!) and once anaemia in about 2012. Last 2 years I have had awful night sweats in midwinter with no heating or bedding and was having jet lag type microsleeps. I thought it was from a job I had with early starts but it continued regardless of how early I went to sleep. I stopped donating blood worried this was giving me anaemia and tiredness. I stopped taking the pil microgynon 30 I have been on since I was 19 (now 33) to have thyroid blood tests. The night sweats stopped and I have not gone back on the pill as I realised I had other symptoms that had gone. So another blood test result last week and comparing tests of past few years showed a result of 11.4 and was told normal is between 12 to 22 but mine were consistently low. Gp did explain normal is different for individuals really so based on that has given my levothyroxinen1 a day and a blood test in 6 weeks. I am only 6 days in and started a new job so anxiety high and my body clock is messed up after waking at 5am for 6 months! I guess I have to wait but am so tired during the daytime and making mistakes in my new job. I filled in a health questionnaire explaining about fatigue. Any one can relate or advise!
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Aimez_1
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Aimez, what blood test was that you had done? Was it T4 or FreeT4 ?
It would be helpful if you could give full details of blood tests.
Type of test and result followed by normal range , in brackets.
Date of tests.
With an UnderactiveThyroid gland / Hypothyroidism, treatment is not commenced on full dose. It is started on low dose and increased gradually. Several weeks later, after retesting, the dose of Levothyroxine is increased by 25mcg. This is repeated until you are on your full dose. So it takes a while to feel the benefit of the Levothyroxine treatment.
Usually you would start on 50mcg. However some start as low as 25mcg.
If you could find out what tests you had altogether that would be helpful.
I have no clue really! As I said the result said 11.4 and was told normal is between 12 to 22. The only thing I can add then isl the piece of paper says with normal TSH borderline. I have had 2 tests already bit can't remember what for was all usual 5 mins rushed chat. I am on 50mg tablets.
Well, firstly, I don't understand why any GP would say that ' . . normal is different for individuals . .' ???
Your blood test (probanly T4) shows that you have less Thyroxine in your body than you should have. This means you have Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid Gland). You say yours were ' . . . consistently low '. So you may have had this condition for years without receiving treatment. Which has happened to many of us on here.
Every cell in the body needs Thyroxine to function. Without it nothing works properly , which is why we have so many symptoms. Metabolism is slowed. All organs are affected.
If your TSH is reported as ' borderline' that probably means top of the normal range. The therapeutic /target level of TSH in Hypothyroid patients however is less and needs to be down to less than 2. This should come down now you are on the right treatment.
You could ask the receptionist or practice manager for a full print out of all your results with ranges and comments. Mine charged 50p recently.
You will find it helps to learn about your condition , and a good place to do that is on here.
With Hypothyroidism and IBS you will most likely have absorption issues. So you really need to ask for the nutrients levels tests as above . Why not make an appoinment with any GP and ask for these. OR make sure you ask for them to be added to your Thyroid blood tests in 6 weeks if you prefer. But the sooner you get on any supplements you need the better. I'm on prescribed Vitamin D and Folic Acid even though I eat well and get out in the sunshine . Was low in both in April 2017. You could Google the deficiencies symptoms for each on NHS choices to check against your symptoms.
It is good that you have been started on 50mcg and will be tested in 6 weeks. Some GPs have given 25mcg and not retested for 3 months. So now you have started correct treatment and dose - things are looking positive.
Do ask, however, if you've had blood test for Thyroid Antibodies. If not ask for these also. If they are raised then you have Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis.
You should be increased to 75mcg in 6 weeks. Then retested and dose increased after a further 6 weeks etc.
So you should be feeling better over the next few months. If not, then ask for an urgent referal to an Endocrinologist.
I was given a print out but not of resuky but don't think (it's at home I am at work now) it mentioned T4 or anything just explained what the thyroid does and what interactive means happens etc. Thanks for the replies they are very helpful. I will ask for absorption and antibodies tests if not done already too then. I think my gp was saying that because is borderline what is deemed normal for most people is why it has never been questioned much after previous blood tests. Bit like average calories needed for a woman a day is silly as depends on so many other things or maybe she was admitting the testing isn't great for what makes them take action to investigate and treat further. I hope it even is this causing the tiredness as I don't have any where near as bad night sweats now.
I feel like crap right now my head is exploding trying to learn a new job and I can't concentrate they must think I am stupid which doesn't help with my anxiety issues as well. Hopefully IBS won't affect it too much as I suffer that in the mornings usually from the previous days food!
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