Help - new to health issues - in need of guidance

[Hayls34]

Hi, firstly can I say I am very new to all this, I have been very lucky to have experienced few health issues in the past - a nice dose of salmonella leaving me with an iron deficiency and IBS but that’s all. Until I had my little boy 2 years ago and stopped breast feeding 12 months ago. My periods returned in a way I have never suffered before - 21 day cycle, heavy blood loss, extreme acne, serious fatigue, muscular aches and pains (I run a lot and have seen a huge deterioration in my stamina) and most significantly of all hair loss and breakage - it’s left me feeling very down about myself. Bad acne and no hair to hide behind 😞. I have seen a GP who found a lump in my neck - this was scanned and cancer ruled out but he never got to the bottom of the cause, tested my bloods and found my iron low and I have been on iron tablets for 3 months now. My iron level has improved but not how I feel. In those 3 months I have had 2 fungal infections, one in a personal area and one on my scalp, probably leading to more hair loss. After googling what can cause these infections I came across hashimoto disease and the symptoms all sound so familiar to me. I asked my GP if it were possible and he said not as my TSH level was normal. Should I leave my concerns here or have private tests done? If I have the private tests done how to I then interpret them and if I need to have medication prescribed? Feel very alone in this, GP made me feel something of a hyperchondriac for asking

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Hayls34.

What was your TSH level? TSH can rule out primary hypothyroidism but doesn't exclude secondary/tertiary (central) hypothyroidism and it doesn't tell whether you have autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's).

I recommend you have a Blue Horizon Thyroid Plus 11 or Medichecks Ultravits test via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin... The tests include TSH, FT4, FT3, TPO and TG antibodies, ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate. Medichecks offer #ThyroidThursday discounts. Post the results and ranges in a new question and members will advise.