The frustration of Hypothyroidism/Hashimoto's!!!

Hello. I've just signed up to HealthUnlocked and I'm hoping to find some useful posts to help my conditions and maybe be able to contribute to help others.

I'm a 72 yr old female. Hypothyroid/Hashimoto's. Diagnosed a few of years ago after several years of seeing different GP's in my practice with the various symptoms. Finally got the diagnosis and prescribed Levothyroxine 50 micro g. Have remained on this dose since then despite telling GP that I don't feel much better. Fatigue, weight gain and unable to lose it no matter how hard I try. Constant heartburn, nausea, bloating, wind, sometimes constipated, sometimes diarrhoea. Very dry skin so prescribed Cetreben as a body wash and moisturiser, plus general aches and pains.

Feeling depressed/very low and it's ruling my life and those close to me. I'm often too unwell to go out and have missed out on events and outings because I just never know when I will be laid low for a day or two. I recently lost £400 that I'd paid because I woke up to unwell with nausea and fatigue to go on a weekend away.

I'm constantly told that my blood results are "within the range". They are actually mid range and I'm convinced that my Free T3 needs a boost to help me feel better generally.

I recently paid for a private blood test to include free t4, free t3 and antibodies. The results came back within the range but low/mid range, and sky high antibodies so ample room for a Levo increase. I made an appointment and purposely saw a different GP to see if I would get a fresh opinion. It took some persuading and pleading how unwell I always feel, but finally got a Levo increase from 50 to 75 micro g for a 3 month trial with a blood test to follow in 8 weeks. This is the first time that I feel somebody has really listened to me even though I got the same response about being "within the range", and to be honest I felt that she gave in because I was so insistent and she was glad to get rid of me.

I have other health issues, asthma, COPD and to be honest I get a lot of support and advice in that area from the GP although there is even a lot of room for improvement there but that's another story!

I hate complaining but on this occasion I told the GP that enough was enough.

I only started on the increased dose of Levo last night so several weeks to go yet before I see if there is any improvement.

Any advice, opinions, or similar experiences would be very welcome. Thank you all in advance.

[Nanaedake]

Hello Jaydeepee and welcome. Always best to post your latest blood test results along with the laboratory ranges for best advice from this forum. Knowledgeable people will be able to make helpful suggestions. I'm sorry you feel you don't get good help or advice from your GP's but mostly they know very little about thyroid conditions as their training covers diddly sqat on it. One GP told me that thyroid meds are very tolerant when I find that tiny changes make a huge difference so yes, they don't always have much idea of the impact of thyroid diseases and the effects of the medication they prescribe.

[Hidden in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you Nanaedake especially for your advice on posting blood results. I will post my next tests along with the last as a comparison when they are done. I do get the impression that most GP's know very little about thyroid conditions but I suppose they have to be Jack of all trades which is what being a general practitioner is all about.

I have requested a referral to and Endo but gp won't do this until this Levo increase trial is complete. It would be good to see a specialist for day to day management advice on my condition as I'm aware that one size doesn't fit all and seeing an Endo specialist might offer more personal advice.

[barneythebulldog]

OMG..I can't believe it when I read your post you just described more or less my symptoms too... I am Alpha trypsin deficient MZ with Chronic bronchitis, osteopene and carpal tunnel as well and while my TSH are at 8 I'm still being told I'm borderline...so frustrated

[Hidden in reply to barneythebulldog]

Hi barneythebulldog. Frustrating doesn't cover it!! I've only just learned (at 72 yrs) that I've really got to insist the gp really listens to me and hears what I'm saying. So fed up of being fobbed off with the same ole same ole. I'm not giving up on this and I hope you don't. Let us know how you progress.

[Hidden]

Thank you reallyfedup123. Somebody else recently told me about getting ferritin, folate, b12 & vitd3 tested. I'm due blood tests in 8 wks following the 75 mcg levo trial. I'll ask my gp to request these as well. Good advice thank you.