Bit of Advice please...

[RensterK]

I am after some advice from people who have hypothyroidism. I have gradually been gaining weight over the last couple of years and had several tests in which I have been told I have a borderline underactive thyroid. For nearly 10 months I have been going to the gym 5 times per week and sticking to a restrictive diet but only lost a small amount of weight. My GP repeated my blood test in August and once again I was told my results showed my thyroid to be underactive and a re-test would be done in 3 months.

I have various other symptons including, regular headaches, sore throat, feeling bloated, feeling exhausted to the point I am having to push myself to do everyday tasks, blurred vision, pins & needles in my hands, arms and feet. Just to name a few. I am convinced it is all related to my thyroid and don't want to wait 3 months for another blood test.

I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts and opinions.

[Scazzoh]

Hi Rensterk, could you post the results of the blood tests you had, including the ranges (the numbers in brackets) so we can get a better picture of what is going on? You are entitled to a copy of your blood tests, under the Data Protection Act, although some surgeries will charge a small fee. If your thyroid is under active you should be receiving treatment for it, not waiting another three months for a test. Heavy exercise with an under active thyroid is not a good idea, as you do not have enough thyroid hormones to recover from the exertion. Try and keep exercise gentle until you are feeling better.

[RensterK in reply to Scazzoh]

Hi I have a copy of my results which I asked for from my GP. These are Serum TSH level (XaELV) 5.21 mu/L and Serum free T4 level (XaERr) 10.7 pmol/L.

[Scazzoh in reply to RensterK]

Hi Rensterk, have you got the numbers in brackets after the results These can differ depending on where you live so it is important to see them as well. On the face of it, those results point to hypothyroid.

[RensterK in reply to Scazzoh]

On the TSH level the results in the brackets are (0.35 - 4.94) and the T4 level (9.0 - 19.0). Thanks

[Scazzoh in reply to RensterK]

OK, so your TSH is above range, which means your pituitary gland is producing this hormone to compensate for the fact that your thyroid gland is not working properly. Your T4 is scraping along the bottom of the range which is why you feel so ill. Most doctors won't begin treatment with Levothyroxine until the TSH reaches 10. However, NICE guidelines state that a 'trial' of Levothyroxine can be given to patients with a TSH between 4 and 10, plus a T4 level within the normal range, which yours is, just. Here is the link and the extract from the guidelines. Print this off, show it to your doctor and request a trial. Don't wait for three months of feeling rotten. If your GP will not treat you, find a doctor who will.

When it comes to your next set of blood tests ask for D3, B12, Folate and Ferritin to be done, because these can be deficient in people with thyroid problems. Get blood taken early in the morning, on an empty stomach and 24 hours from your last dose of Levo.

[Scazzoh in reply to Scazzoh]

Forgot the link: dur

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

oIf 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.

[RensterK]

Thank you for your advice. To say I feel rubbish and have done for sometime is an understatement. I will go back to my GP and ask for the test to be repeated and if the results are the same (or worse) I will ask for a trail of Levothyroxine.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ask for thyroid antibodies to be tested too.

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of hypothyroidism in UK is due to Hashimoto's.

Hashimoto's very often affects the gut, leading to low stomach acid, low vitamin levels and leaky gut.

Could ask him to test vitamin D. Or you can do this yourself for £28 - postal kit

Vitamindtest.org.uk

Should also test ferritin, folate and B12, but perhaps don't bombard him to start with

Pins & needles may be low B12 (but may improve once you start on thyroid replacement- Levothyroxine)

[RensterK in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the information. I did have a various levels checked when I had my blood test and the two that came back requiring a re-test were my Thyroid function test (as given above) and my Serum follicle stimulating hormone level (XM01x).

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to RensterK]

Always get actual results and ranges.

With vitamins just being in range is not enough, if you have thyroid issues.

Post results if you have them and members will advise

[RensterK]

Hi my results are posted on this thread for those who wish to comment

[greygoose in reply to RensterK]

Just your FT4 and TSH. You said there were others.

[RensterK in reply to greygoose]

My other tests were just general tests and most came back within the normal range.

[greygoose in reply to RensterK]

OK, so no vit D, etc.?

[RensterK]

Not that am aware. Think other tests were to checking red and white cells count.

[RensterK]

Hi just a bit of an update from my original posting. I finally returned to my GP this morning due to the fact I am still feeling dreadful. I felt very low, no appetite, exhausted and just general unwell. I saw a different GP this time and he said with my results I should be on something for an underactive thyroid. He has asked me to have another blood test but doesn't feel it will be any different to the one I had in August. He said he was sure that I could cope with feeling rubbish for one more week until my results come through then he will prescribe something for it.

I am hoping that once they start to treat it I will start to feel better because it is not good feeling like I do all the time.