Hi I've just had my second thyroid test check the first one showed - TSH: 5.22 mU/L) & Free Thyroxine was 17... second test 6 months later ( now ) showed TSH: 5.26 mU/L) & Free Thyroxine was 18... now I've been told to wait 6 months for another check.
This is the only information I have but on the first test I was told I was borderline underactive thyroid is this true? It's weird to think that. I am a 20y/o male who is very active at the gym and even without this I have to eat a lot just to keep weight on as I thought I have a fast metabolism and have always had to eat a lot to put on weight and of course underactive causes weight gain. However, I have noticed a few symptoms. When I run my hand down my hair a small amount is beginning to fall out every time? Also, my joints crack a lot now and I don't feel as though my libido is as strong as way before I was getting tested.
Should I be worried that they are delaying this test for another six months? Do I need small amounts of treatment/would I benefit from it?
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Healthandwellbeing97
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I don't understand why your GP isn't diagnosing hypothyroidism and treating when TSH has been over range twice and was higher the second test.
I would go back and ask for treatment now. Ask for thyroid peroxidase antibodies to be tested too because if they are positive your thyroid function will become progressively worse. If your GP doesn't agree see another GP at the practice or change practice.
You can say you've had advice from the NHS Choices for info and advice about dysfunctions of the thyroid gland Thyroiduk.org.uk.
I think your doctor is sticking to what they're told, i.e. in other countries people are diagnosed if TSH reaches 3+ but for some unknown reason to most of us the doctors are told to wait till it is 10 in the UK. Ridiculous when patients suffer.
When hypo, our metabolism slows and weight can slowly rise and if you exercise quite a lot it depletes your T3 and that is the only active thyroid hormone. So you may feel unwell.
Thanks for the reply, I just hate going to my GP as they come across as so uncaring when I am telling them my symptoms(well mine does) and I know they don't mean it. It's mainly a pain when getting results from the receptionist and the results aren't properly discussed with the doctor. I asked for a print out of my test and even then it was like 'oh really I suppose so' attitude as if I am being a pest. I'm only 20 and a student I've not got private healthcare haha.
If I do end up having to wait 6 months and the results show roughly the same, I don't know if there are any long term negative effects of taking medication? and if they would outweigh not taking medication at all for specifically where my thyroid levels are at.. I'm curious on that one and especially as I don't like the idea of lifetime medication even if I might need only small amount..
The main thing I am concerned with right now is how underactive thyroid can affect testosterone levels and I don't know if this is happening to me, how my hair is falling out, libido and a lot of other things I suppose. It's hard to tell exactly if it is causing x y and z
HiYou may have been back to your GP by now but I will chip in incase not. If you have already been reading and know the below apols but I saw some unanswered questions and covered some basics.
Most GPs are woefully ignorant about thyroid dysfunction they get minimal training and they are taught that it is easy to diagnose and treat, and taking levothyroxine returns everyone to full health and for about 80% it does (they just dont join forums like this one). This means they often have poor symtom recognition and test interpretation skills.
As Clutter said you should at least have been offered a trial of levothyroxine. They always do two tests a few months apart incase the first result was an error or a blip caused by an infection or virus. Your T4 went UP from 17-18 on the second test, normally it drops when TSH goes up which might explain the third test (in their heads anyway). As TSH is the only thing they really pay much attention to you need to ensure you test at its highest, to get diagnosed initially and avoid dose drops later. GPs dont think it makes any difference, very WRONG!! Always choose the earliest available blood draw and if at all possible no later than 9am, fast overnight with only water until after the test and make sure to leave off any supplement containing biotin for a few days before.
Unfortunately, if you are abnormal again, you are hypo, even if only mildly right now, and you WILL have to take pills for life especially if you want any quality of life, no lifestyle change or supplement can give back the missing hormones. Levo is a synthetic replacement for the main hormone we are no longer producing enough of, T4, our bodies then convert it to the active form, T3. Every single cell in our body requires T3 to function and our brain has the most receptors. Lack of thyroid hormone is eventually fatal so we receive free prescriptions for life.
Ideally the earlier we are diagnosed the better as hormone replacement has to be done very slowly so we want to avoid too long a journey with too many symptoms. 90% of hypo is caused by an autoimmune reaction attacking the thyroid and eventually killing it. Try and persuade your GP to include thyroid antibodies in the next test to rule this in or out. A positive result doesnt change the treatment but there are suggestions members can make that may help slow progression/calm flares but there is no cure.
Thyroid symptoms do not follow hard and fast rules, many cross over both lists and whilst weight loss is commonly recognised as a hyperactive symptom it can and does occur in hypothyroidism too. 'You cant be hypo because you are losing weight not putting it on' is a medical myth, it is less common but several members have had the same problem. Low thyroid hormone certainly does interfere with reproductive hormones including causing low libido in men and women - don't panic it is reversible😜. Hair loss both head and body is also a primary hypo symptom
You need to educate yourself so that you can recognise and challenge poor advice from GPs. Start with the main TUK website there is a lot of info on getting diagnosed, what you can expect from treatment, what tests you should ask for etc. There is also a symptom checklist you probably have some you didnt realise, it is handy at appointments to show improvement or worsening.
All surgeries had to be set up for electronic access by last year, many dont advertise that this is not just supposed to be just for prescriptions and appointments. If you havent registered/logged in, now is the time. You can also apply for access to your medical records, it may require another form and they may restrict how much you can see but you should get access to test results at least and avoid huffy receptionists.
If you can, get test results and post with the ranges for advice BEFORE your GP appt, we can help you interpret them and give an educated guess to what reaction the GP is likely to have and the best things to say to get the treatment you need. Make sure you include the other two sets of results and ranges, your symptoms and that you are still trying to get diagnosed so you get the right advice.
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