Its me!

[Diddums]

Hi I am diddums and starting my thyroid journey. The GP has been 'keeping an eye' on my reading for over 4 years . I have recently been diagnosed and put on 50mg of Levothrioxine, but am finding symptoms not great. I get so tired and 'brain fog' is a real issue. I describe it as feeling like premature aging. I have discovered the T3 debate and wonder how proper healing can occur. BTW I have to wait 6 months for another blood test to have readings checked again!!!!

[Hidden]

You have just started thyroid treatment, and have been advised that you are not to have labs for 6 months!?? This makes no sense at all. The protocol is new labs every 6-8 weeks as dose is gradually upped based on results. 50 mcg (not mg) of Levo is considered a starter dose for most. What are the results of most recent labs (with ranges in brackets)? You are legally entitled to these results FYI.

Without the data provided by bloodtests there is no way to give feedback here on order for you to be aware of the the choices for treatment going forward. No one wants to see you to continue down this road of continued neglect - so you may want to consider changing GPs if they won't provide basic care and ignore your ongoing symptoms.

[Diddums in reply to Hidden]

Thank You Rusty64 a very helpful answer

[Hidden in reply to Diddums]

When you are ready for the next tests as mentioned fast overnite (water OK) and have the test as early as possible. And no Levo 24 hours prior. Be sure to have nutrients tested as well! These are folate, ferritin, Vit D and B12. They are a very important part of the bigger picture here as we are often deficient due to malabsorption issues and gut problems. And these deficiencies affect how well our dosage is converted. And of course the primary tests are the usual TSH, free T3 and free T4 - & have both antibodies tested if that has not been done yet too.

When you have all these labs in hand create a new post so that the info is not lost in this older thread OK.

Any problems that occur getting labs there is also a link on the Thyroid UK site for private labs as SlowDragon has mentioned already.

[Diddums in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your helpful comments am getting fired up. I have been tested for D deficiency and been prescribed These (800 IU-but I have since bought 1000 IU) Seems Vit B12 is ok but not sure about Follate, Ferritin yet! need to look though paperwork. Seems my surgery 'arent allowed to test for T3' (so another GP told me) So do I need T3 and T4 tested as well as TSH, Sorry text change seems to be a new problem on PC.

[Hidden in reply to Diddums]

When you go to the Thyroid UK site for the link you will see Medichecks - they have discount labs every Thursday so perhaps get nutrients tested when you see it on sale? Blue Horizon has basic labs for both free T s and TSH.

And be aware that some of us need to go GF in an effort the reduce antibodies that inhibit conversion. That's my next step on this journey! 🙂

[Diddums in reply to Hidden]

I have bought The Root Cause book by Dr Isabella Wentz recently and she mentions Food Intolerences and Gluten Free . Thanks for info on Thursday Labs.........will keep an eye!

[Diddums in reply to Hidden]

Sorry brain fog.......should look at Blue Horizon for testing?

[Hidden in reply to Diddums]

I've sent a PM with further info 😄

[Diddums in reply to Hidden]

Where do access PMs

[Hidden in reply to Diddums]

It seems you have found them. I've had a Private message from you already 🙂

[Diddums in reply to Hidden]

Really? Did I know I was sending it ?....a cancellation at the surgery allowed me to have an appt today and I have a blood test booked for Sept 13th at 09.33. The GP got a bit 'shuffly' when mentioned NICE guidance and "to alleviate any stress, we will repeat your test and test for Hashimotos too" according to Dr T3 is only used when blood tests are 'weird'

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you have the blood test form, just get blood tests done at 6-8 weeks after starting dose.

If not got blood test form yet, make an appointment or just request through receptionist. You can say you have had advice that this is correct from NHS thyroid support group

If GP is unhelpful, then you either need see different GP or can decide to get your own private tests

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

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after.

[Diddums]

I have a feeling the receptionist always check with GP first as blood test forms are usually on request of GP. But will look into getting my own tests too. Thanks for link I appreciate your time

[Hidden]

I doubt you have had your antibodies tested yet. They establish wether we have Hashi's or not (most hypos do have Hashi's) As our thyroid runs it's course levels will fluctuate so not unusual for them to change from test to test.