Newbie

[Viki8080]

Do I need medication GP says I don't thank you

TPO 850.5

TSH 50.8

FT4 10.6

FT3 2.6

[SlowDragon Administrator]

See another GP in the practice urgently. You are extremely hypothyroid to have a TSH of 50.8

You have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Ask different doctor to be started on Levothyroxine. 50mcg is standard starter dose

Also ask for vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 to be tested, plus testing for coeliac.

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

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...

[Nanaedake]

Slowdragon has good advice. See another GP urgently. What reason did your GP give for not providing medication for hypothyroidism?

[Viki8080 in reply to Nanaedake]

Ok I will see another GP urgently. The reason my GP gave for not providing the medication was the symptoms of sweats and tremor. Been sleeping poorly as well

[Hillwoman in reply to Viki8080]

Night sweats and tremor eventually occur with hypo, as the adrenal glands take on the strain and cortisol production can't keep up. Adrenaline is then produced to compensate, resulting in a 'wired and tired' feeling plus disturbances to blood glucose control. The result is a range of extra problems, including the ones you describe.

[Nanaedake in reply to Viki8080]

Symptoms of hypo and hyper thyroid can be very similar. GP's don't seem to know. Also, get your new GP to test your ferritin, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels and when you have them, post them here if you'd like advice. They are all likely to be low and may be contributing to your symptoms.

Don't take GP's word for it that vitamin levels are fine. They will say fine if anywhere in NHS range but when also hypothyroid, bumping along the bottom of the NHS range won't help your recovery. All vitamins need to be mid-range and B12 needs to be high in range for thyroid hormone to work efficiently. They all need to work together.

[Viki8080 in reply to Nanaedake]

They were checked 2 weeks ago and I supplement

[Nanaedake in reply to Viki8080]

What are they? Are you sure they are fine? If you want advice then feel free to post here.

[Viki8080 in reply to Nanaedake]

I don't know what they are, I am going to collect before I see consultant

[Nanaedake in reply to Viki8080]

Consultant for what?

[Viki8080 in reply to Nanaedake]

Haematology

[Nanaedake in reply to Viki8080]

OK, so GP has referred you so there must be a problem with your iron or other levels. If in England, you can register for access to blood test results online.

YOu can ask your GP surgery to give you a password and then register online. Make sure to ask for enhanced access to blood test results.

YOu need to find out whether your GP is refusing thyroid meds due to the results of vitamin and iron levels and ask a few more questions to find out what the problem is and what the hold up on thyroid medication is. Perhaps you could ask for a telephone appointment and ask reception for a print out of your blood test results.

GP's don't seem to know that being hypothyroid affects absorption, causing nutritional deficiencies.