Help

[Im2sick]

I need some help cause the doctors are not helping me. I have terrible shoulder and arm pain that one doctor said is polymyalia rheumatic a and the other doctor said is bursitis. , in addition I have no under arm hair growing. My hair is falling out and I’m very depressed. They said my hormones are ok. I don’t believe it. Where do I go ? Who do I see ? No one will help me find out what is wrong. Is it because I’m 68

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So have you had any thyroid or vitamin blood tests?

Post any test results you have had and members can advise

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

See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP, but unlikely to get FT3

Private tests are available

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 ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

Link about antibodies

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

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Print this list of symptoms off, tick all that apply and take to GP

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Im2sick.

Ask your GP receptionist to print out recent blood test results and ranges for thyroid, ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate. When you have them post the results and ranges in a new post and members will advise.

[bantam12]

Have you limited range of movement in your shoulder and arm ? frozen shoulder and tendinitis are fairly common problems. Sadly as we get older we aren't taken seriously and tend to get the brush off, all put down to "old age" so go away and live with it !

[shaws Administrator]

If you haven't had a recent blood test for your thyroid hormones I would ask for a new one but it has to be at the earliest possible time, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose and the test and take afterwards.

I doubt you've had a Free T3 and Free T4 tested and NHS rarely tests these.

If GP or lab wont do them all you can have them privately and we have two private labs.

You need a TSH, T4, T3, Free T3 Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

There's no reason why GP cannot do all of the vitamin/minerals. Lab may not do all of ones for thyroid so you can get those not tested privately.