Freezing.....

[Tricia68]

Hi, this is my first time here. I have hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed about 10 years ago and I still do not understand my underactive thyroid. My doctor has never explained any of my levels to me, should I be getting a copy of these, is this important???? I take 250mg of levothyroxine and I am still cold, tired, depressed, basically just functioning.etc etc etc. I had a blood test last week and I had an appointment with a g.p. Today who asked if I take my medication and I said yes, she said one if my levels was 17.4 but it should be around 4???? She told me she didn't want to increase my medication incase it was my mistake for not taking my medication correctly so they would retest me in 6 -8 weeks time. I feel awful at the moment really dizzy all the time exhausted and freezing. I told her and she said make another appointment to talk about that, she didn't have time!!! I was upset and I feel I get ignored whenever I ask questions about my thyroid. I am going to try and talk to a different G.p. Tomorrow, can anybody please advise what questions I should ask, should I be getting a printout of my levels??? I have never had one. Should I be able to see an endocrinologist??? Please any help would be useful, I feel a bit powerless over my own health. Sorry for the long rant. Trish.

[Nanaedake]

Yes, you should ask for a print out of all your thyroid results as well as the laboratory ranges. If your GP can't do it then ask the receptionist to organise it or request online access to blood test results. You will need a form from reception, which your GP will need to sign when you attend your appointment. Then ask reception for a password and they will give you weblinks where you can register for online access to your blood tests. Make sure you ask for enhanced access, not just for making Dr's appointments.

Ask your GP to test vitamin D, ferritin, folate and B12 as people with thyroid conditions can be deficient in all these. Also ask for thyroid antibodies TPO and TgAb to be tested. Your levothyroxine will not work well unless all vitamins are optimal. There is a lot of scientific research showing people with thryoid conditions are deficient in vitamin D but your Dr might not know this as NICE (National Institure for Clinical Excellence) which give dr's guidelines for treatement has not yet produced all the guidelines for thyroid conditions.

Write down a list of ALL your symptoms and tell your doctor you think they could be vitamin deficiencies as well as insufficient thyroid medication. If your TSH is 17.4 you are very hypothyroid and this could very well cause vitamin deficiencies.

Make sure you always take thyroid meds on an empty stomach with a full glass of water either in the morning or at least 2 hours after food if you take at night. Do not eat or drink for an hour afterwards although you may drink water. Take supplements or medicines at least 4 hours after thyroid meds for best absorption.

You may not find an endocrinologist particularly helpful. If you can find a GP with whom you can establish a good working relationship that would probably be better for sorting out your thyroid condition.

The aim of thyroid medication is to restore you to a euthyroid condition and symptom free. Most people don't feel well until their TSH is at least 1.0 or a little lower. You should have a blood test every 6 weeks after adjusting your dose of levothyroxine until you feel well.

When you have your vitamin and thyroid antibodies blood test results post them here. Doctors will often say they are fine even though they are low in range but you will not feel well if they are bumping along the bottom of the NHS range. People here will give you good advice.

Feeling depressed is a symptom of low thyroid.

[Tricia68 in reply to Nanaedake]

Wow!!!! Thank you. That is so helpful.... I feel like I can go to the G.p. Armed with some questions now. Thank you for explaining all of that. That is the first time anybody has ever explained the technicalities of testing. Trish.

[Nanaedake in reply to Tricia68]

You're welcome. When you go for a blood test, do not take your levothyroxine or eat breakfast until after the blood test. Always have your blood test earliest in the morning as possible. Your GP will probably say it doesn't matter but people on this forum have found it does matter. In addition, if you do the same thing every time it will be more consistent for comparison.

[Tricia68 in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you.

[Nanaedake in reply to Tricia68]

Do not allow your GP to delay treatment by testing again in 6-8 weeks without increasing your thyroid medication. Be insistent that the blood test results are not due to your non-compliance. I also had dr's assume I was not taking thyroid meds when in fact there was a fault with the quality of the tablets that were subsequently recalled and the manufacturer had their licence withdrawn. The Dr's assumptions and accusations prevented me from getting adequate thyroid medication for several years.

Insist that if your thyroid TSH level is higher than 1.0 that your levothyroxine is increased and you get another blood test in 6 weeks and every 6 weeks until you are back on track and feeling well.

It is common for people with thyroid conditions to suffer from low stomach acid or absorption problems so if your thyroid medication is not working effectively you might need to change the formulation of levothyroxine you are taking or you might need further tests to rule out other conditions that cause lack of absorption.

Has your thyroid medication been changed recently?

[Tricia68 in reply to Nanaedake]

My 25mg tablets have changed brands recently. I have had a lot of digestive problems for a few months now, I have an ultrasound scan booked to check for gallstones...I don't know whether this has any correlation with lack of absorbsion? I take omiprozole too. I had a fasting blood test last week and had no food or liquid for 12 hours before hand as I know this can affect blood results. I am going to try and talk to a different G.P. Tomorrow hopefully. So dizzy, tired and freezing. Can't get warm. Trish.

[Helsan]

Welcome to the forum. Ask for print out of your most recent results post them here with the ranges. These are important see I where levels are in the range. Lots of helpful people will reply.

[Tricia68 in reply to Helsan]

Thank you.

[Michelle82]

Hi Tricia.

May I just say this is not good enough treatment from your gp. I have spent years respecting and believing them when told levels are 'normal'.

It is only since joining this forum that I now am determined to get my thyroid health treated adequately.

Do not give in.

[Tricia68 in reply to Michelle82]

Thank you.