Was also tested for kidney/liver function and ferritin. GP said iron stored had returned to a good level but also highlighted that just because the iron level is ok within the range, it doesn't mean it's ok for me and recommended multivitamin with Vit D and iron.
Medichecks suggested i had my Vit D checked but I cannot afford the test just now. I am away to the sunshine of Egypt in a few weeks so I am hoping to top my Vit D up nicely.
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Hd7481
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Unfortunately in the UK GPs do nothing until the TSH reaches 6 or in the worse cases 10 or greater. They will get in trouble if they prescribe thyroid hormones for those who in range so your only choice is to self-medicate doing your own blood tests, OR finding a private doctor by asking for PM requests on here.
Finally the majority of doctors know absolutely nothing about nutrition and exercise. There are loads of surveys and articles that show this. Patient user groups are more informed than most doctors on nutrition and exercise in relation to their specific condition.
Multivitamins are junk. You should take separate supplements if you are deficient or low in anything. For example most that contain iron also contain calcium. It well known calcium and iron interact. People taking iron supplements are told not to take them with dairy products due to this. You can actually get separate iron and vitamin D supplements and you are better of taking those than a multi-vitamin.
I am not surprised people go down the route of private doctors. The hair loss issue is one that i am struggling to manage. The GP telling me that she has never seen anyone lose all their hair doesn't help me!
How regularly should these Thyroid tests be done? I have been back to the GP following the limited testing they did for me and they have said there is nothing else they can do for me unless I was suffering from something like muscle aches!! These thyroid specific tests results I paid for myself.
Both Blue Horizon and Medichecks use GPs to look at the test results. Most doctors including GPs in the UK do a mixture of NHS and private work. All going private in most cases does is allow you to see a doctor quicker not get a different opinion.
Therefore if your condition is borderline you need to ask around for specific doctors who are known to treats patients like you.
So once you come back from holiday and it's 3 months after this test:
1. Repeat the tests, and,
2. If the results are still around 4 post a new thread asking for posters to PM, details of a private doctor who will treat you.
You need 2 lots of tests to prove that you do have a thyroid problem at least 3 months apart and it isn't just a one off due to illness, stress or something else.
Hi did you follow good testing protocol, you are so close to top of TSH range that it really could make the difference between diagnosis or not.
Always have the earliest possible test and by 9am at the latest with overnight fast, no food or supplements just water until after the test. TSH follows a circadian rhythm and drops throughout the morning. Food also lowers TSH.
This hopefully will tip TSH above range and get you diagnosed at least as sub clinical hypothyroid. You normally need 2 over range tests to get diagnosed as you can get transient high results due to inflamation or illness so the theory is if its up twice 3-6 months apart then that can be ruled out, obviously this may be an issue with your current ill health. Hopefully GP ignorance will work in your favour in this instance!
If you can get diagnosed your next battle will be getting treatment. GPs have a nasty habit of refusing to treat until TSH is over 10. This is only supposed to apply if the patient has raised TSH but NO symptoms, if symptomatic they should offer a trial. Sub clinical means no clinical symptoms which GPs seem to have forgotten.
On the main TUK site, there is a symptom checklist, you may have more than you think. Take a scored symptom list to appts. The majority of hypo symptoms are 'non specific' so GPs try to blame other causes. Try taking your waking temp and resting pulse to see if they have dropped from what is normal for you, they dont drop for no reason.
Be very specific when discussing symptoms, Im tired and run down all the time translates as what does she expect with 3 kids. Im assuming all 3 were present before your health decline in which case try 'even with 3 kids I still enjoyed walking the dog for miles but now I am exhausted after a short walk' or 'even with the kids I did well on x sleep but now I get up still exhausted after y. Choose what ever examples fit your life, the trick is to be able to show a quantifiable difference, it makes it much harder for them to ignore or palm off. It works for showing improvement on treatment too.
You need to get reading so you can judge your GPs understanding of the condition which may be shockingly poor. If it is and they are not willing to listen to you and investigate further see a different one, I had to see 4 to find a decent one and even then she needs work, but at least she listens.
Try this link to the NICE guidelines for treatment if sub clinical hypo:
If TSH is between 4 and 10 mU/L and FT4 is within the normal range
In people aged less than 65 years with symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism, consider a trial of LT4 and assess response to treatment 3–4 months after TSH stabilises within the reference range — see the section on Prescribing information for further information on initiation and titration of LT4. If there is no improvement in symptoms, stop LT4.
If you get a trial don't let them palm you off with 25mcg, unless you have any serious underlying condition it should be 50 below is link to those guidelines (all the side effects 'usually excessive dosage' can all be hypo symptoms when under medicated too!)
Hi there, thanks for the info, that is really helpful.
I hadn't eaten anything and the test was taken about 7.55am. I had drank a glass of water 10-15 minutes earlier to ensure I wasn't dehydrated when taking the test.
I plan to test again and compare. I do need to get my head around this I think so reading up is a great suggestion.
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Could you give advice on my latest results please?
Thyroid test results
Medicheck Results
