Thyroid function blood test

[Suzanam]

This is my 4th blood test, my Tsh always comes back elevated. I have palpitations that my gp said is not thyroid related, hospital ruled out heart problems. Also I've put on weight, I'm extremely tiered,cold,but now I can't go on without beta blockers or my heart will race. I do not feel anxious. I have attached a copy of my blood test

[Suzanam]

Should I be on any treatment cause at the moment I only take beta blockers. Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to Suzanam]

I have the same problem as you. I had bad heart palpitations from thyroid. I take Propranolol 20mg 3 times a day. It helps a lot. Are you still taking thyroid medicine? Hope you feel better.

[Suzanam in reply to Hidden]

I am. Not on any thyroid treatment.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Suzanam With an over range TSH then yes, you should be on Levo, but unfortunately the NHS have a tendency of making us wait until TSH reaches 10 before diagnosing hypothyroidism.

What you can do is improve your B12 level. An extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

Sublingual methylcobalamin lozenges are what's needed if you wish to self supplement, along with a good quality B Complex to balance all the B vitamins.

Ferritin is good.

CRP is close to the top of it's range, maybe you had an infection at the time of the test?

No Vit D result? Shame you didn't have that done at the same time as that could do with being checked too.

[Suzanam in reply to SeasideSusie]

It's the heart palpitations that bother me most. I have to take beta blockers. And the fact that we didn't manage to conceive in 2 years hurts real bad. I've been told by other users that it might be thyroid also. I don't understand why my gp won't help me.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Suzanam]

I don't understand why my gp won't help me.

Basically because he can't. He has to follow guidelines and unfortunately your TSH is nowhere near the level they want for diagnosis. If your FT4 was below range or you had positive antibodies then that might just sway a GP. In another country you would be diagnosed when your TSH reached 3.

Sad as it is, and I really do sympathise, you would not have wanted to conceive with your TSH high, the risk of miscarriage and the heartbreak it brings is too great. My ex daughter-in-law had a few miscarriages before knowing she had hypothyroidism, and it wasn't the GP who diagnosed it - GP wouldn't because TSH wasn't high enough - it was a private doctor. I have 4 grandbabies who didn't take breath and I wouldn't wish the misery of carrying a tiny coffin into church for a stillborn's funeral on anyone.

[Suzanam in reply to SeasideSusie]

You think a Private endocrinologist could help? I would pay for my prescription.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Suzanam]

A lot of private endos also work within the NHS so they would most likely follow the same guidelines.

You are in a very difficult situation and I honestly don't know how you can go forward.

A private doctor may be your best bet, but unfortunately they are few and far between. Dr Barry Peatfield is a well loved and respected doctor who completely understands about hypothyroidism (he is hypo himself) and he gave up his GMC registration because he wasn't able to treat people who obviously had a problem but didn't fit into the guidelines. He holds clinics in Crawley only now due to advancing years and his health isn't as good as it was, and he can't prescribe but can suggest what to get and point you in the right direction.

A good functional medicine doctor might also be the way to go, but you'd need a recommendation because some are better than others. Of course, none of this is cheap.

[Suzanam in reply to SeasideSusie]

Sorry to keep asking loads of questions. I have the possibility to go to another country to do my test, to my home country also. But if I get diagnosed there and I get treatment, can I transfer it here, cause this is where I live and work. UK is my home now so won't be able to go back for prescription and supervision.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Suzanam]

I honestly don't know. I imagine, but don't know for sure, that if you were diagnosed elsewhere, then once on Levo an NHS GP would continue to prescribe. It might be worth posting a new thread asking if anyone has been diagnosed in another country and had the diagnosis reversed when seeing an NHS GP to continue the prescription.

[Suzanam in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you!

[steveden in reply to Suzanam]

I support this. I was diagnosed in another country, and when I returned the local doctor simply maintained the medication. But I doubt I would have been tested, and diagnosed, in the UK

[Suzanam in reply to SeasideSusie]

The test was done on Monday. I do not think I have an infection, not one I know of.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I would suspect low magnesium and especially if you have low vitamin D.

Get vitamin D test here (if GP won't oblige)

betteryou.com/vitamin-d-tes...

No point testing magnesium. Most of us are low anyway

There is plenty of research and info saying a TSH MUST be below 2 for conception and successful pregnancy

Suggest you put a new post up specifically asking about TSH and conception

Have you considered gluten intolerance as cause of palpitations.

What beta blocker are you taking? Is it propranolol?

[Suzanam in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes. Propranolol I am taking. Never thought about gluten. I wasn't known of having allergy to anything.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Suzanam]

Propranolol slows thyroid hormone uptake (it's used for treating hyperthyroidism).

Without the propranolol I would suspect your TSH may be even higher.

Propranolol is also used for blocking palpitations and it lowers anxiety by blocking adrenaline.

Palpitations can be due to low magnesium. Trouble is Propranolol may also lower magnesium even further (read the Magnesium Miracle) and actually exacerbates the problem

If you read my profile I was stuck on propranolol for 20 years - and also hypothyroid with Hashimoto's- turned out I had hidden gluten intolerance. Absolutely no gut symptoms.

You do not appear to have Hashimoto's as your antibodies are low. But apparently 20% of Hashimoto's patients don't have high antibodies so you may be can't definitely rule it out

Testing Vitamin D and supplementing magnesium is first step

Taking a good vitamin B complex (eg Igennus super B complex)

But if you start taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Trying strictly gluten free diet for 3-6 months (it's easier than it sounds!)

You might also consider DIO2 gene test.

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

[Suzanam in reply to SlowDragon]

I am doing a post about tsh and conception. Thank you for your response.

[steveden]

Hi, I suggest you try another doctor!

Regards your heart, do keep very well hydrated, and use a simple water filter. (Tap water is fine, just filter it. Mineral water in plastic bottles may not be good for you.) Ask yourself, how many times a day do you pee and what is the colour? (Please, do not drink tea, coffee, and sugary pop as an alternative to water.)

May I suggest you consider one of those private well-woman clinics. They're expensive, but could be worthwhile. They will do many tests and you will see the in-house GP, which is a good start.

Also, I would suggest daily vitamin C and D plus a good multivitamin. See Dr Mercola on Amazon.

[XDog]

As I understand it, Propranalol reduces the action of T3 in the cells. I know that when I was on it, it made me feel quite ill including giving me palpitations due to making me hypo. It took me some time to realise the propranalol was making me feel worse not better. This might be the case for you.

Just a thought.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Did you get vitamin D tested yet? Or start magnesium supplements

Both may be linked to heart pain

[Suzanam]

I'm taking potassium magmezium vit b6 vit bună 12,iron and zinc. I have my blood test at the end of the month.

[Suzanam in reply to Suzanam]

Vit b12 I meant