Feeling really bad

[Tjb2468]

Hi everyone. New here and trying to take my health into my own hands. Feel sure i have the classic hypo signs. I moved to a new town about 3 months ago, wanted to see how things progressed - for good or bad - before seeing doc. Things have clearly got worse, so I will be making a gp appt, but not encouraged by previous experiences. I have moved around a lot over the last 4 years so not had any consistency of care, but have visited a gp around March time for the past 3 years as i knew i wasnt feeling right. The last 2 visits have led to blood tests (including thyroid) but was told the results were all normal and that counselling was probably what I needed. So ive had quite a bit of counselling, which was good, but still physically, i feel anything but ok and, right now, worse than ever: tired all the time, very sensitive to cold, aching muscles and joints during or after any sort of exercise, paleness, inability to sweat, low pulse, short term memory problems, hypoglycaemia, low voice, anxiety, dry skin etc. I have been through some stressful times over the past couple of years, but absolutely certain that my problems are not "just depression". I have just ordered the full thyroid tests from Medichecks. My biggest fear is again being told everything is fine as I feel awful and can't go on like this. Thank you so much for reading, apologies for the long post.

[Scazzoh]

Hi TJB, sorry you are feeling rough. Getting so called 'normal' results means nothing, when you are not feeling well. Glad you have taken the bull by the horns and have ordered some tests. When you get the results post them on this forum, including the ranges - the numbers in brackets - as these differ depending on where you live. You will then get some good advice on how to proceed.

[shaws Administrator]

Draw your blood at the earliest possible time, as that's when the TSH is highest. When you are on thyroid hormones, you'd allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards.

Post your results with the ranges and I am sure you will find that you are probably hypothyroid or have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease (if you had antibodies checked) even if you didn't have antibodies checked the treatment is the same for both hypo or hashi's (ATD).

[Marz]

I think you also need B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD tested as they are often low when Hypo and can make you very unwell 😊

Post your results in a new post as it may get missed here ....

[shaws Administrator]

Blood tests don't reveal how we, the patient, feels. Many doctors seem to be unaware of anything to do with hypothyroid except look at the TSH. In other countries if it is 3+ but in the UK, we have to wait, miserably, until it reaches 10.

Post all of your results from Medichecks on a new post and members will respond.

I think you will be surprised when you read the following and most patients know more than medical personnel. Many also source their own thyroid hormones due to the fact that maybe levothyroxine doesn't improve their condition.

So don't worry too much and post results. GP should check B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. If you have antibodies you will has an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease called Hashimoto's the commonest form of hypothyroidism.

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

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Tjb2468]

Thanks for the replies, it's really appreciated and so helpful to hear constructive comments, rather than worrying alone/being fobbed off by doctors. I received my test kit this morning (thankfully I ordered the one including b12, foliate and ferritin), gonna do the test first thing tomorrow. Hopefully the journey towards getting some answers is finally beginning