Menopause or hypothyroid?

First thing is do you have to do is to get hold of copies of actual results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible. To see actual blood test results you may need to apply for "enhanced access ". In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can make nominal charge for printing but many will do so for free (£10 max)

It's normal for GP's to wait and retest in 2-3 months, in case high test results are temporary

You could ask GP to test thyroid antibodies and vitamins now

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise

For full Thyroid evaluation TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Private tests are available

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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 in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

Theres no could be hypothyroid it is ....however unless you have thyroid antibodies the NHS will refuse to treat till TSH is over 10 which is criminal

What illness is there in rest of the family ? Thst may help to push for antibody testing

Hi reallyfedup123,

I have 3 sisters, we’re all between 48-53.

3 of us have high blood pressure.

1 of these has had stroke.

1 has just had same blood results as me.

Mother has overactive thyroid + on blood thinning meds.

Might be coincidence but my daughter was pregnant until recently giving birth, when testing iron etc the lab discovered she had a b12 deficiency (they said enlarged cells, sticky?) and she had a course of injections and told to get retested after the birth. She was asked if anyone in the family had the same thing. Could this be related?

Also didn’t mention my complete brain fuzz and memory loss earlier, I put it down to age and stress but see lots of people talking about it on her.

You all need the FULL testing suggested above through Medichecks ir Blue Horizon. It will be money well invested.

Raised blood pressure is usually a symptom of something else going on and not an illness in itself. Thyroid so often involved which in turn trashes the absorption of vitamins and minerals causing low B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD. They are all involved in heart health too.

Your sister with the stroke - can be caused by HIGH levels of Homocysteine in the blood when B12 is low in the cells. Rarely checked. Also thyroid.

Regarding your daughter - when they re-test the results will be skewed and they will stop injections. Do NOT let this happen. She will also need Folate as it works with B 12 in the body. Check VitD. See link below ...

grassrootshealth.net

Hello there, I'm not an expert but your story very nearly mirrored my own story. I started sweating and shaking, periods went awry, my left ear went wrong, couldn't hear a thing, and strangely my feet just started hurting all the time, really painful to stand on. Also couldn't sleep, then could at random times etc...I thought I was going through menopause as I'm at that age....dammit! Haha.....

I went to the docs to confirm I was fully fledged menopausal and bingo! 2 blood tests later I was called back in to say I was hypo, was given a prescription and off you go.....Few months later ear cleared, sweating and shaking reduced etc.

I'm not saying I'm pain free, or that my symptoms have gone altogether, as they do pop up randomly even now, but.......I'm better than I was and am actively always trying to look out for my own body a bit more.

The only thing I do like about this is my periods stopped altogether and that, for me is a massive plus as I was plagued with heavy periods all my life....so, ya know, trying focus on the positive.

Wishing you well.

This website is very good! But I keep finding more links to hypothyroidism and my symptoms that I didn’t think were related. I’m regularly tested for glaucoma as I have ocular hypertension (raised pressure) which has steadily gone up over the years. I have a checkup next week so I’ll mention thyroid to the ophthalmologist too. To think that all of my symptoms could have 1 cause is quite a revelation.

Yes look at the list, tick them off and take it to you doctor. They might learn something about the vast number of symptoms there are!

Today I registered with my go for access to my records online and requested copies of my last blood test as it could take up to 28 days to see notes online. Positive steps and it was so easy! 😊