Do I need medication

[Nats34]

Thankyou not diagnosed

TSH 30.7 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 11.3 (12 - 22)

Free T3 3.6 (3.1 - 6.8)

[MissFG]

Yes!!!! How did you get these blood test results? Privately I assume as a doctor would have you straight in for treatment

[Nats34 in reply to MissFG]

Thankyou yes they are private ones GP was refusing to accept I had a physical illness

[MissFG in reply to Nats34]

That's disgusting!

What symptoms do you have as your GP should do a blood test if you are unwell and have symptoms suggesting thyroid disease just to be thorough.

I would go to your practice manager and explain you were refused a blood test so have had to pay privately and they show you are under active. You must feel pretty poorly

[Nats34 in reply to MissFG]

I have symptoms of

Sweats

Feeling of something in throat

Recurring infections

Joint pain

Dry mouth and eyes

Hair loss

Tiredness

Carpal tunnel

Reynauds syndrome where my feet and fingers go white and numb

Low pulse

Heavy periods

Dry skin

Will go to practice manager tomorrow

[MissFG in reply to Nats34]

Aww bless you! You need a referral to an endocrinologist and if you insist on this to your GP he shouldn't and can't refuse you based on your symptoms and now your private blood test. I was 149 when diagnosed and got a referral and urgent ultrasound as I was struggling swallowing. They have a duty of care and if they get difficult state you will make a formal complaint and go to the walk in centre for a second opinion.

I know it's hard when your so sick and it isn't going to be easy but know you know your hypo you can start getting the help you need and deserve.

Are you under a rheumatologist? Can't they refer you to an Endo?

This forum has been a huge help to me in getting the right treatment and eventually having to self medicate with my endos support so don't lose hope you'll get there but need urgent treatment now so don't take no for an answer! Sit in the practice if you have to until they listen to you!

[Nats34 in reply to MissFG]

Hi not under a rheumatologist but will go back to the practice and insist they treat me better thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Is there another GP in the practice to see.?

Make an urgent appointment. Take these tests along. They may want to redo tests via NHS to confirm before staring you on 50mcg Levothyroxine

Ask that they also test Thyroid antibodies, vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at same time. These are likely very low causing some of the symptoms. But the bulk of your symptoms are classic hypo.

About 90% of hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's. This is diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Make sure any repeat blood test is done as early as possible in morning and fasting

You can say you have had advice for NHS Thyroid support group

[Nats34 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes there is another GP I can see also got thyroid peroxidase antibodies of 803.5 (<34) thankyou

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nats34]

That's definitely Hashimoto's. Medics here tend to call it autoimmune thyroid disease and also tend to ignore antibodies. But to feel better we need to get antibodies lower

Three mains things

A) high enough dose of Levo to get TSH low in range (it has to increase slowly. Starting with 50mcg (usually) taking for 6-8 weeks before retesting and then increases usually 25mcg steps

B) very good levels of vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Testing and supplements if need be

C) addressing hidden food intolerances- usually gluten

Very many of us with Hashimoto's find strictly gluten free diet helps reduce symptoms and slowly lower antibodies

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

Don't be surprised if GP unaware of gluten or low vitamins connection

[Angel_of_the_North]

Yes, you are very hypothyroid and should be started on thyroxine as soon as possible.