Information on thyroid please

[AnnaJ6]

I have high TSH do I have problem with thyroid thanks in advance

TSH 88 (0.2 - 4.2)

FT4 9.2 (12 - 22)

[shaws Administrator]

If your TSH is above range you have hypothyroidism. In the UK you aren't diagnosed until TSH reaches 10. In other countries a person is diagnosed when TSH is 3+.

Can you post your actual results, with the ranges as it makes it easier to respond.

[AnnaJ6 in reply to shaws]

TSH 88 (0.2 - 4.2)

FT4 9.2 (12 - 22)

[shaws Administrator in reply to AnnaJ6]

You are definitely very hypothyroid and your doctor should have given you 50mcg of levothyroxine. Levo should be taken first thing on an empty stomach with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating. Food can interfere with the uptake of levothyroxine. You should have a 25mcg increase every six weeks after your blood tests until you are symptom-free and feel well with relief of clinical symptoms and TSH is 1 or lower. Many doctors think that if TSH is somewhere in the 'range' that you're on sufficient. Not so. A TSH of 1 is the aim.

Blood tests should be at the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours from your last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards. This give us the best result and may stop doctor adjusting your dose unnecessarily.

Your doctor should also test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. Deficiencies can also cause problems.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges for your own records and you can post if you have a query.

[AnnaJ6 in reply to shaws]

Ferritin 6 (30 - 400)

Folate 3.1 (4.6 - 18.7)

Vitamin B12 165 (180 - 900)

Vitamin D total 12.8 (<25 severe)

GP wrote no action required

[MiniMum97 in reply to AnnaJ6]

What is going on? We seem to be having so many people come on the forum recently will shocking results and the GP noting or saying that no action is required! Even if they don't care about their patients are they not worried about negligence!

You must go and see another GP - either at the same practice or a different one. You are very hypothyroid, and you have multiple vitamin deficiencies - you need levothyroxine, B12 injections, and folate, iron and vitamin D supplements.

This is so shocking!

[shaws Administrator in reply to AnnaJ6]

Has your doctor qualified by doing a Do It Yourself Course???

I would put in a strong complaint and even print off a copy of your post with answers.

This doctor needs his Licence to be removed as he is putting you in a dangerous position. He could cause you to have very serious consequences.

gmc-uk.org/How_to_complain_...

Phone the surgery tomorrow and say you've been advised to get a prescription for 50mcg of levothyroxine and blood test in six weeks and that you are going to complain about negligence to higher authorities.

I am adding in SeasideSusie who will respond re your vits/minerals.

[shaws Administrator in reply to AnnaJ6]

SeasideSusie as she answers so many questions on vitamins/minerals may have missed yours which I will copy and paste below:

Ferritin 6 (30 - 400)

Folate 3.1 (4.6 - 18.7)

Vitamin B12 165 (180 - 900)

Vitamin D total 12.8 (<25 severe)

GP wrote no action required

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to AnnaJ6]

AnnaJ6

Sorry I missed this, the notification bell isn't showing that I have been tagged or that I've had replies so I think there must be a forum glitch at the moment.

As you haven't made a post for 3 days, are you still around?

Have you made an appointment to see your GP as MiniMum97 and Shaws suggested on their replies? If so, what has been said?

[Mary-intussuception]

Yes

[Mary-intussuception]

Hello Annaj.

What date did you have these blood tests taken? Have you had any other tests or investigations.

Have you had any other diagnosis previously? Have you any medical conditions. Are you on any medication at all. Are you in UK?

The comment " no action required " is very disturbing.

I would see a different GP urgently.

What is the Practice Manager like? Approachable? Could you ask them to help / intervene?

I would be wanting to see an Endocrinologist and Haematology immediately. Is there any one you can take with you for support / a witness when you see Practice Manager and/or GP?

xx🐥

[AnnaJ6 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Date thyroid and vitamin and mineral levels taken Sep 2017, no other tests or investigations. I have no other diagnosis or other medical conditions. I am in uk. Practice manager I've never spoken to. Friends and family keeping out of my health issues. Endo will not see me for another year.

[spongecat]

That is utterly shocking.

I would seriously be quite suspicious if the doctor had actually looked at these lab results. It's not one thing out of range but everything on the lab request is deficient with the exception of TSH which is way way way too high.......and no wonder. Your body is screaming for help.

Yes a very firm letter to the practice manager and if you get no joy then get your local MP involved for starters. I hope there is a doctor who can apologise and get you treated ASAP.

Totally unnacceptable.

[Mary-intussuception]

Did the Endo take these tests or the GP? When did you last see Endo. Did he/she do any tests to check adrenals? Can't understand why they would do all these tests then not act?

Can't understand your 'friends ' either.

How are you feeling? How are you coping?

If you can't get urgent/same day appoinment with GP in the morning (no need to tell receptionist why/what for ) then I would definitely ask for appointment to see Practice Manager in morning.

We have to go in person between 8am and 8.30am to sit in the queue for appointments given out from 8.30am. It's the only way to guarantee getting to see a doctor. Otherwise if you don't get through on the phone till they've all gone you have to start over the next day.

x

[AnnaJ6 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Endo tested them and I last saw endo in August. No tests to check adrenals. I am not feeling good.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to AnnaJ6]

Are you feeling well enough to write a list of all your symptoms to take into the Practice with you tomorrow?

When you say you are not feeling good (not surprising by the way! ) if you are very poorly then there's always calling 111 for advice as an option. I live in Wales , we don't have that facility here. There is also the option to phone Out-of-hours if you feel very unwell.

However, you need proper treatment started asap, and on-going care. It takes a while to feel a lot better once you start Levothyroxine, but you also need all your very low nutrients attended to - Promptly.

It doesn't make sense that you saw Endo last BEFORE results. Have you considered phoning Endo's secretary in the morning? That's what I would do. What day of the week is his clinic?

xx