Left GP surgery in tears: Hi I am new member and... - Thyroid UK

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Left GP surgery in tears

Zarabelle profile image
12 Replies

Hi I am new member and I am not diagnosed with underactive thyroid at the moment. I left my GP surgery in tears yesterday because my symptoms of heavy periods/constipation/tiredness/difficult swallowing/goitre were dismissed by GP who said they are all likely to be psychoglogical symptoms.

I was sent for an ultrasound 2 months ago which showed my thyroid was enlarged and lumpy with no need for biopsy and the GP told me the ultrasound came back fine and after saying my symptoms were in my head prescribed me Sertraline to help with them.

I have had 2 thyroid tests and I will give the results of these below.

I feel very alone with what to do next.

SEPT-17

TSH 2.2 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 16.7 (12 - 22)

Free T3 4.2 (3.1 - 6.8)

NOV-2017

TSH 5.4 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 11.8 (12 - 22)

Free T3 4.0 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO antibody >1000 (<34)

Thanks

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Zarabelle profile image
Zarabelle
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12 Replies
jimh111 profile image
jimh111

Did the GP see the blood test results? They very clearly indicate autoimmune hypothyroidism. I would go back and insist on having a second opinion.

Zarabelle profile image
Zarabelle in reply to jimh111

Yes GP saw bloods and said I don't need thyroid medication thanks

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Zarabelle

Change your doctor. Most don't know anything but yours seem to know nothing.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Your high antibodies confirm you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

TSH above range and FT4 below range

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

GP should start you on Thyroid replacement hormone. 50mcg is standard starter dose. Retesting after 6-8 weeks

With Hashimoto's, until it's under control, our gut can be badly affected. Low stomach acid can lead to poor absorption of vitamins. Low vitamin levels stop thyroid hormones working.

Also ask for vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 to be tested and always get actual results and ranges

fibrolinda profile image
fibrolinda

As SlowDragon said plus change GP, you don't have a problem in your head you have Hashimotos and underactive thyroid. The stupidguidance in this country is to wait till TSH is 10 before Levo but if patient has raised antibodies to start them on thyroid replacement hormones straight away to slow the attack on thyroid. I just don't get why there's ranges (too high imho)if they're ignored.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

When you have high antibodies AND SYMPTOMS and out of range results you should be treated

Try different GP

If still no luck

Email Louise at a Thyroid UK for list of recommended thyroid specialists louise.roberts@thyroiduk.org.uk

Meanwhile consider gluten free diet

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

These are a couple of links and email louise.roberts@thyroiduk.org.uk and ask for a copy of Dr Toft's Pulse Online article in which he states that if antibodies are present we should be prescribed. (Question 6 I believe).

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

Also your antibodies are very high you have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease commonly called hashimoto's. I shall give you a couple of links:-

Most members of this forum have recovered, or improved their thyroid health without doctors unless of course one needs an op on their thyroid gland :) Again that would done by surgeons not Endos or GPs

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/thyroi...

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

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

You can now tell your GP you have self-diagnosed. :)

Actually I'd switch doctors.

jimh111 profile image
jimh111

Your doctor should have prescribed levothyroxine, because your free T4 is low. For some reason your TSH hasn't risen as much as it would do in most people.

Your very high TPO antibody levels is good and bad news (given you have antibodies). It's good news because the decline of your thyroid will probably be rapid, it will give up quicker than most patients. The autoimmunity usually resolves about a year after thyroid tissue has been destroyed. It's bad news because the decline of your thyroid will probably be rapid, this means that as the progression is quick your doctor will need to keep on top of your blood hormone levels (and most important your symptoms). Autoimmunity can also lead to fluctuations in your hormone levels, the thyroid can release extra hormone under attack from antibodies. So progression may not be steady.

I would see another doctor if possible. Take someone with you for support and get a prescription for levothyroxine (25 mcg is not enough). Taking levothyroxine may help with the goitre as well.

Rmichelle profile image
Rmichelle

Hi there izabella just so you think you are not going crazy i have hashimotos and i have them symptons and they are not pleasant- please take the advice of others who have replied, they know best than your pig ignorant gp, personally i would not entertain the anti-depressants as you are not imagining it, their are alot of forum members on this site who have hashis or graves and have the same symptons and more. Take care.😊

jimh111 profile image
jimh111 in reply to Rmichelle

I forgot to say, don't take the setraline. At the moment there is nothing to suggest you need setraline, everything suggests hypothyroidism.

jimh111 profile image
jimh111 in reply to jimh111

Forgot to say, give it to the doctor he needs it more than you.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to jimh111

😂😂😂

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