Hypothyroid problems

[Efoula1980]

For 7 months now my hypothyroid symptoms have been getting worse. I'm suffering from fatigue, low mood, dry skin, forgetfulness, brain fog. I am now waiting for blood tests but the GP said she couldn't do all of them, I asked for T3, T4, TSH and Thyroid Antibodies. I am still not sure what they will test for, I will find out on Monday. I am off ill from work for the 4th time in 7 months and I don't know what to do. Should I get signed off for a week or two? I don't want to be off ill from work again. Any advice and help would be great. Thanks

[Shibby]

Hi /Efoula1980. Welcome to the community and sorryto hear you aren't feeling great

I'm going through a similar situation: have hypothyroid symptoms but had tests a year ago (tsh and ft4) and they were in range. Have gone back since saying fatigue hasn't gone so the go has agreed to retest but she won't test my antibodies or ft3 so I have actually bought blood test online so I can have the results myself.

Everyone will recommend that you get your tests done in the morning as early as possible and don't eat that morning until after the test. This helps the tsh show at its highest and might make the difference between treatment or not. 


They also recommend for your folate, ferritin, b12 and vitamin d to be tested as if you are hypothyroid your absorption of minerals can be affected and they need to be high to actually help it function. Ask for your results from your GP (might be a small charge) and post your results on here with the lab ranges and members will give advice as to what to take. Some B12 deficiency symptoms are similar to thyroid so worth getting that checked. My b12 was in range according to the GP but I definitely had symptoms of deficiency so I started to self medicate and the symptoms have stopped.

As for the work I'm not sure how you would proceed with that one. I got told if I had one more absence I would have to go and speak to someone about my attendance. I have just stopped pushing myself as hard and give into my bodies needs (even if that is falling asleep at work!) Hopefully this result will lead to something!! (I'm hoping with all my tests that something shows so I can tell my work and have it on my file).

Ps sorry for the essay!

[Efoula1980 in reply to Shibby]

Thanks Shibby, I really appreciate the info and help.

I actually have hypothyroidism since 2006 but T4 has been working quite well for me, although not that well. It's just recently symptoms have really gone downhill.

I've not heard about not eating and having the blood test in the morning. That's not possible this time due to staff shortages at my doctors and so my blood test is on monday at 4.30pm.

I will post my results thanks.

[greygoose in reply to Efoula1980]

Cancel the appointment, make some excuse about having a virus. Your TSH will be rock bottom at 4.30, and you'll probably find yourself with a reduction in dose. I doubt if they'd do FT3, anyway. The test is too expensive. And probably not antibodies - in any case, they would only do one of the two antibodies, so you wouldn't get a complete answer.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Efoula1980]

I agree with greygoose cancel your appointment and make another and it has to be at the very earliest possible because our TSH is highest then and it makes the difference between the GP taking notice or not.

I don't know whether you can afford a private home blood test which will do the the necessary ones. If you do decide this method make sure you are well hydrated a couple of days before you draw your blood. I'll give a link just in case:-

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

Blue Horizon and Medichecks do a selection and post the pin-prick tests to your home so you are able to do it earlier than the GP.

[Efoula1980]

Hi guys

Thanks for the replies.

Ok I will try and change it.

I usually take my thyroxin the night before, if I change the appointment to earliest possible do I still take my thyroxin the night before?

[Marz in reply to Efoula1980]

Best to leave 24 hours I have read. Take the pill after your test.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Efoula1980]

You miss your night dose and take it after the test and night dose as usual. That's fine.

[Efoula1980]

ok thanks guys

[jacrjacr]

many things can cause fatigue so make sure you have great d3, b12, iron panel tested.....and make sure you always get a copy of labs since drs will say normal anything in range when it needs to be up the upper range of normal to feel great...

[Efoula1980]

Thanks everyone for your help. I am getting iron etc tested as well. I've managed to get tested for TSH, T3, T4 and Thyroid Antibodies.

Results come through on Monday and I will see my GP then. If the GP thinks they are all ok (God forbid) I want to know what to say back to that.

Can anyone help? What am I looking for? In terms of thyroid test results?