Hypothyroidism? ??: I have all the symptoms of... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,771 members161,568 posts

Hypothyroidism? ??

raine-wager profile image
37 Replies

I have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism but it doesn't show in blood tests. My protein is always borderline low I have to take vitamin d supplements and now my sodium is high. I had to take again as i did not fast . Any comments appreciated.

Written by
raine-wager profile image
raine-wager
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
37 Replies
raine-wager profile image
raine-wager

I also have a low heart rate always in the 50s

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Raine-wager

If you post your test results, with reference ranges, members will be in a better position to comment.

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to SeasideSusie

They have the reference range in brackets next to them.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Include your vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 test results and ranges as well if you have them

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

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to SlowDragon

I have put my results on

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to SlowDragon

They haven't been tested recently but I take fultium d 800iu my hair is falling out I'm always tired my nails have lines in them I have a eczema / psoriasis rash, pulsatile tinnitus, dry skin, low heart rate, forgetfulness, loss of strength in muscles, put on weight I can'tell get rid of lots more I feel like a hypochondriac. I am overweight any way and that's all the Dr sees.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to raine-wager

Raine-wager

You still haven't answered the question about what was your Vit D level. To be prescribed Fultium it must have been quite low, but 800iu isn't even a maintenance dose for someone with a decent level to start with. If you say what your level was when tested, we can tell you what you should have been taking. But there are also cofactors needed when taking D3 which help it work and help direct the increased uptake of calcium to where it's needed and away from areas where it causes problems.

So, what was your Vit D level? Help us to help you.

Some of the symptoms you describe in your post can be indicative of low nutrient levels, so as both SlowDragon and I have said you need them tested and SlowDragon has mentioned the private labs where you can get them done if your GP can't or won't.

You also haven't said what time your tests were done or whether antibodies have been tested.

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to SeasideSusie

They were done at 11am non fasting I have been on vit d for 3 years now it was higher for the first 6 months I will see if I can find the last tests with ferritin etc.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to raine-wager

For any chance of a diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism you need TSH as high as possible. TSH is highest in the early hours of the morning and lowers throughout the day. For future tests, book the earliest appointment of the day, no later than 9am, and fast overnight (water allowed).

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to SeasideSusie

I will do that if they give me another test. Tomorrow I will try and write all my results down.

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to SeasideSusie

I'm trying to download load previous tests but I have to delete the one there first I have put on a previous test. I have been on vit d for 3 years was a higher dose for 6 months. Can't remember what it was but quite low.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to raine-wager

Why not just type them in? 4 results with ranges and dates plus whatever supplements you are taking.

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to SeasideSusie

I would be here all night trying to put them in. I have put another test result up there.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to raine-wager

We only need Vit D, B12, folate, ferritin.

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to SeasideSusie

I have posted a test from last year.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to raine-wager

Recommended levels for us Hypos are

Vit D - 100-150nmol/L

B12 - very top of range, even 900-1000

Folate - at least half way through range

Ferritin - at least 70 for thyroid hormone to work, recommended is half way through range

You need new tests to check your levels and then suggestions can be made for appropriate dose of supplements.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

You have to have a proper blood test. In the UK, unfortunately, doctors are told not to prescribe thyroid hormones until the TSH is 10 whereas in other countries it is 3+.The following are clinical symptoms and tick off the ones you have.

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

All blood tests have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water). If you were taking thyroid hormones you'd allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take it afterwards. This helps keep TSH at its highest as that seems to be all the doctors look at.

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

Get a print-out every blood test and you can post if you have a query. Always put the ranges because without ranges members cannot respond.

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to shaws

How do you attach a photo on here? Then I can post my results?

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to raine-wager

Raine-wager,

Click under the V down arrow underneath your opening post. Click on Edit. Scroll down past your text and click on Upload Image to add an image from your phone or PC. Save Edit.

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to Clutter

I did it thankyou

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to raine-wager

Raine-wager,

Now to alert SeasideSusie and SlowDragon that your results are available.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to raine-wager

Are you in UK?

For full evaluation you ideally 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. 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 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...

list of symptoms off, tick all that apply

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to SlowDragon

Yes I'm in the UK can't really afford to do it private. I haven't worked for 18 months. I feel that all the Dr's see when they look at me is a fat person. I feel like I've just got to put up with it.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to raine-wager

Make an appointment to see GP. Say how rubbish you feel, low energy etc

Perhaps print off the list of hypothyroid symptoms and take in with you

Ask that they test Thyroid antibodies for autoimmune thyroid disease. Also TSH, FT4 and FT3

Could they also retest your folate, B12, vitamin D and ferritin.

You can say you had advice from NHS recommended thyroid support group (don't mention the internet)

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to SlowDragon

I have been going back and forth for nearly 2 years.. while my tests results stay in their range or borderline they wont send me to an endocrinologist. They have sent me to a rheumatologist and a cardiologist. I have given them a list of hypothyroidism symptoms which I have 90% of and I keep being told to eat healthy and loose weight. I'm just a fat person and they put all my symptoms to being overweight even my slow heart rate. Don't know what else I can do.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to raine-wager

You really need to get thyroid antibodies tested

Thyroid TSH tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting

Plus vitamins rechecked

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Raine-wager

It's not possible to comment without the reference ranges, they vary from lab to lab so can't be interpreted without your lab's range. It should look something like

FT4: 15 (12-22)

We need:

TSH

FT4

FT3

And anything else you have. You've mentioned that you take Vit D supplements, what dose do you take, what was your level, anything else you've had tested, anything else you supplement?

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to SeasideSusie

I have posted my results

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to raine-wager

Raine-wager

Your TSH at 2.4 suggests that your thyroid is beginning to struggle, and your free Ts are low in their ranges.

What time of day were these tests done? TSH is highest early morning and fasting, so if these were done later in the day, and after you had eaten, then your TSH is lower than it would have been if you'd had an early, fasting blood draw.

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested?

What about the vitamins and minerals you've been asked about?

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager

I'm trying to download load previous tests but I have to delete the one there first I have put on a previous test.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to raine-wager

so in July 2016

TSH was 3.4

Not high enough for GP to consider treating, but suggests it's struggling

Essential to retest full Thyroid

TSH, FT4, FT3 and thyroid antibodies

Would suspect you have high thyroid antibodies. This is Hashimoto's and upsets gut function, lowers stomach acid and then lowers vitamin levels

Folate 5 (5.4-24)

This was below range and you were given supplements for 3 months.

Not taken any since?

Has this been tested recently? Or at all since supplementing

B12 334 (210-910)

This was low but not low enough for GP to treat.

Ferritin was good

Vitamin D only average at 73, despite supplements. Level around 100nmol is better

How much vitamin D are you taking now?

You need all these retesting. That was all 18months ago

Make sure to get it done as early as possible in morning and fasting.

Hundreds on here have to resort to private testing to get diagnosed

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

See SeasideSusie detailed vitamin advice on many of her replies

Don't start any B12 or B complex before getting tested.

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to SlowDragon

I have posted some more results..

No thyroid hormone tests done, just TSH. TSH not high enough for NHS to treat, but can't say if you have central hypo or Hashis (autoimmune thyroiditis) without Free T4, free T3 and TPO and TG antibody results. Statistically, you are probably hypo with a TSH of 3.4, as most healthy people have a TSH of around 1.2, but NHS will not treat until TSH is 10 or free T4 is under range or you have high antibodies.

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to Angel_of_the_North

Starting with most recent tests

Free t4 12.7 & 12.3 (11.5-22.7)

Free t3 4.8 & 4.3 (3.5-6.5)

Tsh 2.4 & 2.4 (0.4-5.5)

B12 439 (210-910)

Vit d 47.9 insufficient

Folite 7.5 (5.4 24)

Feratin 199 (10-307)

My results

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to raine-wager

FT4 is low in range, suggests you have problems

But TSH is not high enough for NHS to consider treating

Vitamin D is far too low.

Folate is low and B12 borderline, but nether low enough for GP to recognise or treat

Get both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested privately if GP won't test

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_North in reply to raine-wager

Ask for central/secondary hypo to be considered as you'd expect higher TSH with such low free T4. But GPs don't know what it is, so you'll need an endo referral.

raine-wager profile image
raine-wager in reply to Angel_of_the_North

I keep asking for a referral to endo but they won't do one. Never get to see same doc twice ito a nightmare. Thankyou all for your help

You may also like...

Is this hypothyroidism?

cortisol blood test and magnesium test. Here's the basic overview. I'll add result details when I...

Hypothyroidism or not?

periods are heavy, hair falling out, feeling cold all the time. Ultrasound on the thyroid...

Hypothyroidism

hypothyroidism for 20 plus years and taking levy thyroxine is it ok to add a thyroid supplement to...

Hypothyroidism

I have been having regular blood tests on and off all this year that revealed borderline under...

Subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism

subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism ?. I have been told that i have subclinical...