Advice needed.

[patez]

Hi.

Some of you will already know me from the PA community. 10 months ago I posted that my B12 treatment seemed to have stopped working? I have struggled badly ever since!

I suspected a thyroid problem, due to the symptoms I have (which are tiredness, fatigue, poor memory, lack of concentration, feeling nervous all the time, tinnitus, leg muscles twitching, problems controlling my weight (weight gain if I eat a normal meal!). I went to see the local doc, and was tested for TSH, T4 & T3, and the doc told me "nothing wrong with your thyroid", but I did not see the actual results, and neither did he! The results came back in a colour format, where green was OK and red was not OK! The thyroid test showed green! The only test that showed red was for cholesterol, which was high. Doc just told me to do some exercise, and not eat cheese!

I have been able to buy some levothyroxine 25mcg, and want to "self medicate", but I have done some reading, and it does not sound like a good idea, as the dosage has to be based on blood test results?

Unfortunately, my doctor is not of any help whatsoever, and it is very doubtful if he would even do another thyroid test!

I do not have access to any private health care!

My question would be, is it safe to self medicate, and adjust my dosage based purely on symptoms?

I would intend to start with 25mcg daily, over a 4 week period, and then increase to 50mcg daily.

I hate feeling so sick all the time, and it is so difficult to work!

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

[ITYFIALMCTT]

patez Are you still in Oman which might influence members' suggestions based on what is available there and any difficulty obtaining actual test results?

[patez in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Yes, I am still in Oman.

I will also have a word with our local manager, to see if there are any options open to me to get a proper thyroid test done.

My last test was a non fasting one also, which may have effected the results?

[ITYFIALMCTT in reply to patez]

Just to be on the safe side, it's recommended that you take your blood test having fasted overnight and as early in the morning as practical.

I hope that you can obtain the appropriate range of tests and results.

[Hidden]

I do think if you can get a good blood profile for thyroid and any other possible deficiencies it would be much better. Can't help feeling that self medicating could be confusing the issue, it can take a long time for leothyroxin to to have reliable affect and could muddy the waters for you.

Do you have access to postal blood testing? That might be an option, (I have a uk link, but would need to look it up)

[patez in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your input.

Yes, I have come to the same conclusion that self medicating, without bloods being monitored is a bad way forward!

Postal blood testing is not an option! It takes 6 weeks even to get a letter to the UK from Oman!

I just want to feel better though!

Last year, after self treating for a very obvious B12 deficiency, I felt great!

Suddenly went downhill!

Similar symptoms to B12 deficiency, but I have been taking B12 in large doses, to no effect!

I am almost certain that I have hypothyroidism, and even the local pharmacy thinks so, but the doc says? Get some exercise and do not eat cheese! LOL!

So? Where does this leave me? Undiagnosed hypothyroidism will lead to dementia, and then Alzheimer's!

I seem to be what is known to be MCI? Mild cognitive impairment.

From what I have seen so far, thyroid problems are a major factor in MCI!

Untreated? It will then become full blown Alzheimer's !

Maybe you can understand why I am so concerned?

Local docs dismiss all my health, and mental health problems to gastritis!

OMG!

[Hidden in reply to patez]

Well I wish you luck and hope you can find another doctor who will do thorough blood tests and give you the time to work out what's going on. Try not to panic I know anxiety can materialise as all sorts of physical symptoms, that pass when the anxiety goes. I find Passiflora is very good for that,

Best wishes