Struggling 15 year old

[Anncotton]

Hi, I'm the mum of a 15 year old girl who, at this moment, is fast asleep on the sofa when she should be at school. Shes suffering with severe headaches, dizziness, vomitting, constipation (followed by diarrhoea) chornic tiredness, itchy scalp and erratic appetite. Despite 5 rounds of bloods nothing is showing up but her symptons suggest a problem with her thyroid/B12? I'm no expert but feel docs arent taking seriously. Been going on for 10 months with no answers. Any advice?

[Cooper27]

What sort of thyroid tests did your Dr run? Can you get the numbers and post them?

You can arrange a private test - I recently had an advanced thyroid test with Thriva, who also test vitamins for you.

Also, has she been tested for coeliac disease?

coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-dise...

[marsaday]

Post up her results so we can comment. You can request a copy if you don't have them.

[shaws Administrator]

I am sorry your daughter is not well and I know how worried you are, especially by not getting any support from doctors.

We have two private labs as the NHS wont do a Full Thyroid Function Test.

She should have TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies tested.

The test has to be at the very earliest possible, fasting (she can drink water).The GP should test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. Everything has to be optimal.

Get a print-out with the ranges and put them on a new post for comments by members. Tick off symptoms below.

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

Sometimes in the UK it is better to avoid doctors as they're told to only take a TSH and T4 (this morning a member's doctor told her only a TSH will be done). TSH and T4 don't give any details about the T3. T4 is an inactive hormone and its job is to convert to T3. T3 is the only Active Thyroid Hormone and it has to saturate our T3 receptor cells, brain and heart contain the most) so that we have relief of symptoms and feel well.

The commonest form of hypothyroidism is qn Autoimmune Thyroid Disease commonly called Hashimoto's. Antibodies confirm this.

Blue Horizon and Medichecks are the two labs. Medichecks usually have a special offer on a Thursday. These are home tests so convenient. I think some need a blood draw but they would tell you what the procedure will be.

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

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

You are unlikely to get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results

Link about antibodies

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

[Marz]

How is your daughters diet ? So many young people do not eat well and have low Iron - Folate - Ferritin - VitD - B12. When you have all the results with ranges start a new post so more people see them.

The thyroid needs the above vits and minerals to be optimal - so eventually begins to struggle when low ....