I'm a mess! For years I have been exhausted, dry skin, hair and eyes, hair loss, nail ridges, loss of libido, difficulty sleeping tearful.

[donna__b]

Open to any advice and experience in overcoming symptoms and restoring vitality.

[Sotonowl]

Have you been tested for anything? Are you on medication?

[donna__b in reply to Sotonowl]

I'm 57- been exhausted my whole life. No doctor ever takes me seriously.

Recently tested positive ANA- waiting on follow up testing.

Had a wellness lab panel drawn at homeopath pharmacy showed hormones very low. Just started topical hormones and a trial of low dose naturethroid this week but my thyroid never tests low- results are always at the low normal range.

[shaws Administrator in reply to donna__b]

Usually only a TSH and T4 is tested which is not informative enough.

What you do need is a Full Thyroid Function Test which is:-

TSH, T4 T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

The test should be done at the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and if you were taking thyroid hormones you'd allow a 24 hour gap between last dose of hormones and the test and take it afterwards.

Your GP or the lab may not do all of the above tests but you can get those not tested through a recommended private lab.

GP should definitely test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Put your results onto a new post with the ranges. Ranges are important in order for members to comment upon them.

[donna__b in reply to shaws]

Thank you. I will ask for copies of the wellness labs and then re-post. What supplements can I take? I have tried Standard Process-Thyroid Complex in past, High Quality OTC vitamins and herbal remedies as I have done my own research to support my adrenals and thyroid.

[shaws Administrator in reply to donna__b]

Don't take supplements yet as the most important thing is to get proper accurate testing.

You need a Full Thyroid Function Test which is:-

TSH, T4, T3, Free T3, Free T4 and thyroid antibodies.

The test should be at the earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and if you were taking thyroid hormones you would allow 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards.

If GP or lab wont do all of the above, you can get a private test if you wish for the ones not tested.

GP should definitely test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Get a print-out with the ranges and put on a new post for comments.

[donna__b in reply to shaws]

thank you

[shaws Administrator in reply to donna__b]

Tick off symptoms you have and can give to GP. He probably wont be interested but you never can tell.

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

[jgelliss in reply to shaws]

shaws

I agree that before dosing one needs a base line to check accurately if one needs thyroid meds and where FT3 FT4 TSH are at . Nutrients base line is so very important too . Nutrients help with our thyroids /or thyroid meds work better for us .

[userotc in reply to jgelliss]

Is there not an argument to get vitamin/nutrient levels optimum BEFORE full thyroid tests - for the reasons you've outlined? In at least some cases, it seems logical that thyroid medication is not then needed.

[bluebug in reply to donna__b]

Have you also posted on the Lupus UK forum on health unlocked that you have had a positive ANA test? Unfortunately you can have more than one autoimmune disease together, so this means having both lupus and hypothyroidism can occur.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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...

Vitamindtest.org.uk - £28 postal kit

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, 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...