Hashimoto diagnosed 10 years ago.

[Mirrra]

Hi, I'm a new user. Glad I found this page.

Since diagnosed I've been in levothyroxine starting at 25mcg and currently on 100mcg.

Feeling worse and worse every year, gained about 15 kg for the last 8 years.

What tests can I ask my GP to perform to reasses my condition. I have all possible has i symptoms, but my yearly checks come fine and i am just told to continue on 100 mcg...

Feeling desperate for improvement 😕

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum,

The majority on this forum have not become well due to the directions of the NHS regarding hypothyroidism. We have to read, learn and ask questions and weight gain is the commonest. Research has shown that levo can cause weight gain but I believe it is due to being kept on too low a dose as many doctors believe if TSH is 'somewhere' in the range we're on sufficient. If we were on sufficient we'd be realised from all clinical symptoms and metabolism raised high enough to enable people to lose weight through diet or optimum meds.

All blood tests for thyroid hormones (levothyroxine is the commonest but there are others which some members source themselves) have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between the last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards. Doctors only look at the TSH and the NHS seems to limit us to TSH and T4 which doesn't give a whole picture. We do have two private labs which will do those that GP wont. GP should definitely test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. All have to be optimum.

Ask for TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies, as well as vitamins/minerals above.

Always get a print-out of your results, with the ranges, for your own records and you can post for members' comments.

Ten years of being unwell is too long and we do know doctors have little knowledge as they appear not to be trained about how disabling hypo can be.

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

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Hi there. I’m sorry you are feeling so unwell. Do you know what your latest blood results are ?

Weight gain stems from an underactive thyroid which slows down metabolism and stems from thyroid hormones not being optimal. Levothyroxine is used as a substitute and once you are taking an optimal dose should reduce TSH and increase T4.

You will struggle to lose weight if your Levothyroxine is not at an adequate dose.

I am newly diagnosed as of September. My current TSH is 81 T4 is 7 and T3 is 2 so very underactive. My Levo has just been increased from 50mcg to 125