Feeling rubbish

[Bellmitzi]

Hi been feeling awful for weeks can anyone help with these results please SERUM TSH LEVEL 8.29mU/L (.27-4.20) High. SERUM FREE T4 LEVEL 10.4 pmol/L(11.0-25.0) Low just been told by receiptionist their fine I’m taking 50 mg of Levothyroxine plus aThyroid support tablet twice a day thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Receptionist doesn't know what she's talking about - no surprise there!

You have over range TSH and below range FT4, definitely not 'normal', nowhere near!! No wonder you feel rubbish!

Make an appointment with your GP, you are undermedicated and need a raise in dose of Levo. 25mcg immediately, retest 6-8 weeks with another increase in dose if necessary, repeat until you feel well.

Most hypo patients feel best when TSH is 1 or below and FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their respective reference ranges.

To support your request for an increase in dose see thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... > Treatment Options:

"Dr Toft states in Pulse Magazine, "The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

Dr Toft is past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist. You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing Dionne at [e-mail] print and highlight question 6 to show your GP.

[Bellmitzi in reply to SeasideSusie]

Awe thanks for your reply I’m feeling physically drained constantly aching brain fog no energy whatsoever all I want to do is sit down as I feel to weak to stand up thanks again I will ring and make an appointment with GP after a drilling with receptionist yet again

[Marz in reply to Bellmitzi]

Not surprised with those results. Follow the advice from SeasideSusie above and you will be well in no time. This is the second post in 2 days where the Receptionist has elevated herself to Medical Advisor

It is VERY important to have B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD tested and report back in a new post with the results and ranges for people to comment - unless of course you have them to hand - if so then post them now. They need to be good for your Thyroid hormones to work and for you to feel well.

Also you need to rule out Hashimotos - so Anti-TPO and Tg need testing.

Are you in a position to have Private Testing in the comfort of your own home through Thyroid UK ?

[Bellmitzi in reply to Marz]

Thanks for taking time to reply I do get B12 injections every 3 months my ferritin last time tested was 19 after posting online and then ringing GP Again was I put on ferrous fumerate I though a full blood test would include this results but I’ve had FBC and Serum electrolytes results plus thyroid nothing else I’m not sure if I need to post these I have got private health care and I think I need to arrange proper testing to get well thanks very much

[Marz in reply to Bellmitzi]

No Folate and VitD are not included in a FBC - they must be requested. Do you have PA - or just B12D ? As you have B12 injections you need to know your Folate level and supplement if needs be - as B12 and Folate worke together in the body.

Your Ferritin needs to be around 75. Take VitC with each dose of FF

Am expecting your VitD and Folate to be LOW

[Bellmitzi in reply to Marz]

I’m goin to ring now asK for blood test form for vit And ferritin to be tested tooive got a constant headache that just isn’t goin thankyou for your help

for blood test form

[Bellmitzi in reply to Marz]

I think it was a b12. Def I will certainly be asking for another test now when I eventually get through thanks again

[Marz in reply to Bellmitzi]

No point in having tests for B12 as your injections will skew results - so save the dear old NHS some dosh

[Bellmitzi in reply to Marz]

Yes ok I will I have rang but can’t speak to a doctor until I ring again tmrw thanks

[Angel_of_the_North]

Why would you trust the medical opinion of a clerical assistant - might as well ask the checkout operator at Aldi? Your results show that you are very, very undermedicated and need an immediate increase of 25mcg levo and retest in 6-8 weeks. Over range TSH and under range free T4. I bet you feel dreadful.

[Bellmitzi in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

I really am feeling awful I feel like I’m going to collapse if I stand for too long that’s how weak I’m feeling thank god for this forum thanks for your reply my surgery is awful thankyou

[Marz in reply to Bellmitzi]

LOW Iron can cause weakness - oxygen is transported around the body to every cell by sticking to the iron in each red blood cell. LOW iron = Low oxygen - no wonder you feel weak. My non-medical description !

[Bellmitzi in reply to Marz]

I’ve noticed I’m out of breath I’ve never smoked don’t know if this is anything to do with have a constant headache lately not sure if thyroid.related But I could really write a page full of how unwell I’m feeling but strangely people tell me how well I look but they dont realise it takes all my strength to put myself tidy thanks for your help

[Marz in reply to Bellmitzi]

Yes low iron and anaemia can be the cause of breathlessness as explained in my post above - Low Iron = Low oxygen = breathlessness

Don't worry about others too much - try to focus on the positives that are going to make you well ....

[Bellmitzi in reply to Marz]

Yes I will thankyou can’t wait till I get better I am absolutely frozen got so many layers of clothes on today but thanks for all your help

[Marz in reply to Bellmitzi]

I am 72 this year so have had to get to grips with sorting myself 😊 I also live in Greece ...

[Bellmitzi in reply to Marz]

Awe that soundslovely but no good good when you feel unwell either although I’d love to live in a warmer climate

[Marz in reply to Bellmitzi]

Have you made a plan ? Read through all the replies and make a shopping list Hopefully you will soon feel stronger !

[Bellmitzi in reply to Marz]

No I hadn’t but a good idea I feel a little stronger but cannotsleep at all my body is crying for sleep but my brain is feeling very different thanks

[Marz in reply to Bellmitzi]

I find lists help me process information and then you can prioritise the important bits

Glad you are feeling a little stronger today ....

[Bellmitzi in reply to Marz]

Yes as I forget things quite easily too thanks for all your help and advice