Advice please

[Tiredlulu]

I have had an under active thyroid for 7 years now and am sooo tired of being tired! I have gained 2 stone in the last 2 years and am absolutely sick of it! I am currently taking 125mg of levothyroxine but I don't think it actually helps that much! Any suggestions, am considering now desiccated thyroid meds... any advice out there on this.

I am under my gp, is there a specialist I could see? Need to get my life back !

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Tiredlulu If you post your latest test results, with reference ranges, members will be able to comment. It could be that you are simply undermedicated. Or maybe your nutrient are too low, they need to be optimal for thyroid hormone to work. Have you had Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin tested?

If you are in the UK then you are legally entitled to a print out of your results so ask your surgery for them.

[Tiredlulu in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi, I only had last test 2 weeks ago.. I don't have a print out but I shall get one tomorrow. I have never been asked to fast for my thyroid test ... so clearly this makes a difference according to the other response I have had.

I'll be back in touch with results, thank you x

[shaws Administrator]

If it is a couple of months since your last blood test for thyroid hormones. Make a new appointment to have them tested again and say you have clinical symptoms and don't feel well.

The blood test should be at the very earliest and fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards.

Ask GP to test TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

You can tell doctor you have taken advice from the NHS Choices for information and advice Healthunlocked Thyroiduk.org,

If doctor wont or lab wont if TSH and T4 are in range you can get private tests from one of our recommended labs. It would be worth it.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges. Ranges are important as labs differ.

[Tiredlulu in reply to shaws]

Thank you, I will request my last set of results which were given just a few weeks ago. I'll be back in touch! Why would I have never been asked to fast before testing? X

[shaws Administrator in reply to Tiredlulu]

Because doctors seem to be unaware that the TSH varies throughout the day.

TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is from the pituitary gland. It is highest early a.m. and lowest at p.m. so as doctors only really take notice of the TSH - if it is low, he will adjust your dose to get TSH 'in range' unaware that patients usually feel much better when it is around 1 or lower. Doctors also believe that a low TSH means we will get a heart attack of osteo. Both are not true.