Hi I am new to the community. I have been struggling with symptoms for the past 10 years. Weight creeping up. Hard stool. Losing hair. On no medication. Should I be? Thanks
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Aurora117
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Yes you should definitely be on medication. Your T4 is below range and your TSH above range so you are overtly hypothyroid. You also have Hashimoto s which is an autoimmune condition that is the leading cause of hypothyroidism.
Have you shown your results to your GP? If not you should and they should start you on 50mcg of levothyroxine (assuming you are not elderly?). Then you should be retested and your dose adjusted until your T4 is in upper 1/4 of range and TSH below 1.
Both your ferritin and folate are also low. You must be feeling terrible! What are your other vitamin results as they aren’t showing?
You need to supplement both iron and folate and get these levels up to mid range. You can use 210mg of ferrous fumerate, take it with 1000mg of vit c ideally on an empty stomach. I am not sure about folate (I just take it in a b complex but not sure if that is enough if you are deficient). Hopefully someone will come along with more info one of the admin peeps is very knowledgeable about supplementing so hopefully they will be along soon.
Some GPs and hospital Consultants /doctors won't accept private blood test results because they cannot prove them/ have no evidence.
The important matter now though is that you get urgent medical treatment.
Is there anyone who can go to see GP with you? Make a written list of all your symptoms. Ask for immediate referal to Specialist. Also treatments started as quickly as possible.
Perhaps GP could do the blood tests urgently if they won't accept yours.
What is the date of these blood tests ? Are they recent? Are you seeing Endocrinologist or GP?
You need to be seen quickly and have your Hypothyroidism treatment started as already mentioned and ALL your nutrients deficiencies addressed urgently. Has GP mentioned referal to Haematology? Or other Specialist? You need to be presribed Vitamin D loading doses. There are a few different ways your GP can do this, - whichever suits you best. You can look this up on:
"NICE guidelines treatment for Vitamin D deficiency."
Always take your Levothyroxine on its own with water. Take NO other medications or supplements at the same time. If taking your Levothyroxine first thing in the morning (at least 30 minutes before any food & drink) Then take your supplements at least 2 hours later with or after food. Some may need to be taken after a longer time apart.
If you take your Levothyroxine at night, then take your supplements with or after breakfast. You may need to take a natural husk laxative while taking iron such as Fybogel Orange sachets. Adding a little fresh orange juice helps to stop them 'setting'' before you can finish them.
Your nutrients are extremely low.
It usually takes a while before feeling the benefits of the Levothyroxine. By Christmas you should have been increased to the 75mcg dose and, given that you get your Anemias and other severe deficiency treatment, you shoukd be on the right road to feeling better.x
What's the Practice Manager like? Approachable? Are you considering making a Complaint. You probably just would rather get treated first, then maybe think about that when you feel better.
Is there another GP you could see at the practice.
Is that the same GP who ordered the blood tests.
Looking at these results, anyone should be able to see that you need to receive all the appropriate treatments, surely ???
Have you had any tests to check your Adrenals? What is GP's reason for not treating you?
Practice manager is approachable. There is another GP in the practice I can see but not the same one who ordered blood tests. I have low cortisol and have had FBC, liver, kidney and bone. Can post these if need be.
Why aren't you on any Levothyroxine or supplements?
Have you seen your replies?
Have you seen any doctors since these blood test results to discuss them?
Your GP should refer you to a Specialist or take advice.
You should be presribed loading doses of Vitamin D up to approx 300,000 IU over a period of weeks; depending on which treatment option is chosen.
You need to get all your deficiencies address immediately.
You should be started on 50mcg of Levothyroxine and retested in 6 weeks then increased to 75mcg.
Have you been told that you have:
Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis and Hypothyroidism?
Have you been told that you have Iron deficiency Anemia? Pernicious Anemia? (You may need further testing for this but must be treated very soon) See NICE guidelines and NHS choices.
Who ordered the blood tests? Have you spoken to them yet?
If this were me then when seeing the doctor I would also ask for prescriptions for Lactulose medicine and Fybogel sachets (orange) to address hard stools. You will need to drinks lots of water also. Also eat as healthily as posdible.
You must be feeling awful. Hope you begin to get everything sorted this week.
Hi results were taken 3 weeks ago and GP won't start me on medication. I am not seeing an endocrinologist. GP ordered blood tests and I haven't been called in to discuss them.
Sorry Aurora, but I can't make sense of this reply?
1) GP "won't " start you on medication ??
2) GP ordered blood tests ??
3) You haven't been called in to discuss blood tests ??
So, you obtained a printed copy of the results of your blood tests three weeks ago. Your GP had requested these tests BUT You haven't seen a GP since the results have been in? Is that correct? If you are saying that you haven't seen a GP since the results have been in why do you say GP has refused to treat you? Did you speak over the phone? Or do you mean, refused to treat you in the past? Well, they can't any longer can they.
If you've been struggling with symptoms and GP visits for ten years, waiting to be listened to and heard and have your symptoms investigated, I understand how you must be feeling. And what you have been, and are, going through. Most people on here do as, the awful truth is, many have had similar experiences.
I would make an urgent appointment to see the most approachable GP in the practice. If not available tomorrow - then ANY GP. Take someone with you. Also take written lists of ALL symptoms as well as blood results.
I don't know where you live or if you pay for your presriptions (no one does in Wales) but you are now entitled to exemption from charges. Ask GP or Practice Manager for FP92A form (I think - GP should know).
I asked for a printed copy of the results from receptionist three weeks ago. The GP requested these tests and I haven't seen a GP since the results have been in. I have been refused to be treated. I pay for prescriptions and I am in Devon. Thanks
Please go and see another GP. You are very unwell. You have overt hypothyroidism and possibly Pernicious Anaemia which can lead to irreversible nerve damage. Please go a post your results on the PA forum to get more advice on this. Don’t start supplementing until you’ve had advice.
You should definitely be on thyroid medication. Get the Pulse article the other poster suggests and write a letter to your GP including it and directly asking for thyroid medication. Ask for the letter to go on your file. Also ask directly for treatment for your vitamin deficiencies incl whatever advice you get on the PA forum. If that GP was not help you, go to another or change surgeries until you find someone who will listen to you. Complain to the practice manager. If you can afford to go private. Louise can give you a list of private GPs and endos.
You are very unwell. Don’t give up. You need to push and be your own advocate.
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