Newbie

[Kerryd1986]

Hi

Do I need thyroid meds

TSH 68.2 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 10.8 (12 - 22)

Free T3 2.7 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO antibodies 673 (<34)

Thankyou

[Hidden]

Can you give us some more information please, such as were these done by the NHS and, if so, what were you told? Any vitamin and mineral results you can share?

The more we know will make it easier to make suggestions and recommendations.

[Kerryd1986 in reply to Hidden]

Done on NHS after having symptoms of heavy periods and anxiety and constipation told they were hyperthyroid thankyou

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Kerryd1986]

Kerry

Who told you you were hypERthyroid. You are hypOthyroid.

Either you misheard or if it was a doctor who told you then he/she is an idiot and I fear for your treatment!

[Kerryd1986 in reply to SeasideSusie]

GP told me

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Kerryd1986.

Yes, you are overtly hypothyroid with FT4 and FT3 below range and that is why your TSH is so high.

Hasn't your practice advised you to contact your GP or to collect a prescription?

[Kerryd1986 in reply to Clutter]

Thankyou no I haven't been given levothyroxine

[Clutter in reply to Clutter]

Kerryd1986,

Did the GP who told you (wrongly) that you are hyperthyroid prescribe Carbimazole?

[Kerryd1986 in reply to Clutter]

Thankyou not given carbimazole

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If your GP did these they should have called you in straight away

Yes you need starting on Levothyroxine. High antibodies confirm this is Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease

[shaws Administrator]

As the others have suggested you should have been prescribed 50mcg of levothyroxine. Levo should be taken, usually first thing on an empty stomach, with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating. Food interferes with the uptake of the hormones.

Blood tests for thyroid hormones should be every six to eight weeks and have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) you'd also allow 24 hours gap between last dose and test and take afterwards.

Ask GP to also test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. Everything has to be optimal.Get a print-out with the ranges for your own records and post if you have a query.

This is a list of clinical symptoms and not many doctors know of them and are apt to only look at the TSH and T4. You are very hypothyroid.

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

[Kerryd1986 in reply to shaws]

I will go back to GP tomorrow. I have results of vits and mins already and I think I need help with them

[Clutter in reply to Kerryd1986]

Kerryd1986,

May I ask you whether your GP is very young or very old?

Try and see a different GP, it is clear the GP you spoke to doesn't know what s/he's doing with respect to thyroid. You should make a formal complaint to the practice manager because that GP needs retraining with regard to thyroid.

If you are under 50 and have no heart disease NICE CKS recommends a starting dose of 50mcg - 100mcg Levothyroxine. cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.2 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

[Kerryd1986 in reply to Clutter]

Thankyou GP is very old

[shaws Administrator in reply to Kerryd1986]

I think it's time he retired because ignoring a patients 'extremely' high TSH means he isn't up to the job and can result in unexpected consequences for patients to remain undiagnosed/untreated.

[Clutter in reply to Kerryd1986]

Kerryd1986,

I think GP needs a refresher course. Did you manage to see a GP today?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kerryd1986]

Can you put your vitamins on a new post and members can advise.

Low vitamins are extremely common with thyroid problems and need significant supplements so that replacement thyroid hormones can work

Post results and ranges

[shaws Administrator in reply to Kerryd1986]

Could you go to another doctor in the surgery as you have been very neglected to have such a high TSH and no treatment.