Hi, I am a 48 year old female. Have symptoms of hypothyroidism, but diagnosed CFS March 2015. My TSH through my doctors was 3.1 at this time. My symptoms have got so bad that I can’t work. Any amount of stress just adds to my fatigue. Being stressed did lower my immune system and brought on herpes virus/ fatigue. Even though I’m not working, I’m still tired all the time. I have trouble sleeping and have been prescribed Mirtazapine (after a long line of other antidepressants!) I have times when I feel particularly low/ tearful/ can’t face anything/ anxious/ mood changes/extreme bloated for 10 days. I now think some of this may be bad PMS? I have read there may be a link with PMS /Thyroid. My mum and her mum take/ took thyroxine/ Thyroid issues.
I have been to the docs for various things, the latest being constipation. I now have 2 prolapses to add to list (not over weight, no children ).
Had recurring viruses and immunologist found blood count etc fine. Have herpes virus type 1 and have been on antiviral suppression course. Also have persistent HPV.
Was sent to neurologist for numbness in hands and feet. More tests, including thyroid antibodies and vitamin b12 and I think iron. All back as ‘normal’, although didn’t get actual readings.
I went to see endo Oct 2016. Had short synacthen test as cortisol level low at 218... test came back normal. I do have low blood pressure. They tested my TSH at 2.015, T4 at 10 and Vitamin D at a low 25.7 and Pituitary Proflie ‘normal’. After asking my doc about low Vit D, was prescribed high dose. They won’t retest again, told to take own maintenance dose.
Nothing showed up after sigmoidoscopy, so have just been back to doc about constipation /continued fatigue/ shaky before eating etc. Tested TSH and came back ‘normal’ at 4.2. Glucose level 4.7 ‘normal’.
I do now take b12, multi vits with vit d3 etc. Magnesium. Don’t drink, exercise when body allows and still feel like I’ve lost who I am.
Sorry for long first post. Wondered if got full Thyroid Test (inc T3) plus vitamins done (privately as doc won’t)... would doc help if results showed hypothyroid? Thank you for reading on and on!
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Skiptonlou
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Sounds extremely likely autoimmune thyroid disease, especially as both your Mum and her mother have it
A TSH over 2 is suspicious, and FT4 10 result looks low (though without ranges it's difficult to be sure)
First
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
2nd if you have autoimmune thyroid disease taking any iodine is not a good idea. It's in most multivitamins. Generally multivitamins not recommended on here. They contain to little of what we need
For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested
Essential to test antibodies and vitamins
It's absolutely ridiculous NHS doesn't retest vitamin D, would strongly suggest including this in private testing
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 and most consistent results.
Thank you for replying. Knew about fasting and early morning for thyroid test... only from this forum! Only last tsh level was done at this time. Didn’t realise about b vits before a test....thank you for all the info. Will have a read through your links. Will stop multi vits and check about iodine. Will def get full test and post results/ranges on this forum. Thanks again. Nice to know not going mad, as my doctor surely thinks!
Like you my test are all normal except for high ferriten levels I have not been given anti depressents yet just levothyroxine at 75mcg but no formal diagnosis of anythingyet and GP unsure whats wrong with me. Late Mum and sisters are not thyroid sufferers Sorryfor text errors too!
Yes you sound as if you may have Hashimotos - so if the anti-bodies are not tested - how will the Medics know ? Sounds as if you have been short-changed I would start with Private Testing through Thyroid UK - link below .... Hashimotos is the most common issue causing us to be Hypo ...
Well used by 100's of members on this Forum - Medichecks has Special Offers on a Thursday. TSH - FT4 - FT3 and Anti-bodies TPO & Tg need testing. Also Folate - Ferritin - VitD. You are supplementing B12 so test results will be skewed - you could add it and if still below 500 it will help you to supplement correctly.
Which B12 are you taking and how much ? VitD - again how much ? Please try and obtain the results with ranges from wherever they were tested - you are legally entitled to have copies of all your OWN results. Multi-vits are rarely the answer - they often contain things you do not need and not enough of some vits to make a difference.
If Doc will not help with Private Test results - people here will help you and give you information to give to your GP that may help to educate him. Cross that bridge when you get to it !
Anti-depressants can affect the thyroid in a negative way - also affects the TSH reading. Low T3 is often the cause of LOW mood ....
Will definitely get full test and post results in here. Wasn’t sure if my doctor would do anything after results or if you can self medicate?
I take timed release vit b12 1000ug, and after a prescribed high dose of vit d, now take my own maintenance dose of 600ug....although my doc said now 800ug.
Thank you so much for getting back, makes you realise you’re not alone fighting what feels like a continued battle.
Jarrow Methylcobalamin B12 from Amazon is a lozenge to keep under the tongue - thus avoiding absorption issues ... You also need a good B Complex to give you Folate or Folic Acid - as well as keeping all the B's in balance.
When you have results - start with a new post so more people see it
Hi your doctor should do a thyroid test as that makes you extremely tired. I'm on mirtazipan and duloxetine but I'm bipolar. One thing I've learnt is try not to worry to much about the levels you get back with your tests, it can make your mind wander, i know its easier swid than done. But plz tell your doctor exactly how you are feeling. If not that Dr see another who you feel more comfortable with. Please let me know how you get on. But you shouldn't need to go private with thyroid test.
My first thought when reading your message (apart from the general vitamin and thyroid issues) was magnesium!
Your original post mentioned it at the end but subsequent comments haven’t mentioned doses ? It’s often overlooked but it really does affect a lot- especially with anxiety, blood pressure , nerve and muscle spasms shaking, constipation etc
Also period pains! Same prostaglandins that affect abdominal muscle affect uterine ones and magnesium can help with both (often why we get abdominal cramps with PMs). I really recommend the ‘better you’ brand of magnesium salts and oil spray in particular. But a supplement may also work well for u- research different types of mageniusm - some are better for constipation, others better for diarrhoea.
How long have u been on magnesium ?
In conjunction with this vit D is also vital for Same reasons.
It may be a case that your digesiton is being affected by gut problems which is further depleting your vitamin levels.
Would definitely consider the b12 lozenges over tablets, and even injections if u see no improvement.
3 of my family members have improved massively just from magnesium, myself included- and several of my patients.
But it does take time to replete all these levels and balance. Potassium and calcium all important with magnesium and vit D (also you need vit k2 when taking vit D3, and mk7 to make sure calcium is directed to bones rather than blood)
Thank you so much for your reply. I take 320mg magnesium which has definitely helped. I was taking multi vitamins (women’s) which included calcium + vit d, as well as vit k. When I was on a very high dose of vit D3 from the doctor, I read about vit k m7 and so supplemented separately with 75mcg. Now I’ve gone back to separate supplements (instead of multi vits) need to take calcium + potassium? ... not sure how much though.
Ratios and the best supplement sources to buy... a bit of a mind field. So any info greatly received.
Have just changed to the b12 lozenges though, for better absorption. Also read raw vit d supplements may be better?
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I would start with Private Testing through Thyroid UK - link below .... Hashimotos is the most common issue causing us to be Hypo ...
New results after being discharged by endocrinologist. 
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