Looking for some help. I'm new here and don't know anything underactive thyroid and what is normal .
I've had yearly blood tests for the past 4 years to keep an eye on thyroid function and my visit last week I asked for more info on results as my gp just keeps telling me I'm borderline. It showed my tsh 9.8 and t4 was 5.8 i think ... they also done test on my antibodies which i think is effecting my levels although i can't really remember what my gp said.
Right now they don't have me on any medication and gp told me I will need medicated eventually but right now with the side effects they would rather avoid medicating as long as possible. I now have to get my bloods done every three months.
I jus want to know what your oppinions are as i feel tired quite a lot and I'm only 30 i thought this had to do with my low iron previously as i was taking 3 ferrous fumarate daily and folic acid but now I'm told those are back to normal so they have stopped these meda.
Just really want to know if you agree it's best to stay off medication as long as i can.
P.s i have no children and had surgery a while back for endometriosis which i know can cause some issues getting pregnant but was looking forward to starting a family soon and my gp told me I'm best no to try right now until my levels are normal even though theyre not giving me anything to get my levels back to normal.
Thanks
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Stacey87
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I am so sorry to read your post and am alarmed at your lack of treatment. You are not borderline by any means, you are hypothyroid and probably quite ill.I dont understand your GP not treating you especially considering your wish to be pregnant. The side effects of levo thyroid are not significant compared with the risk of non treatment. I have heard that in some parts of the country a TSH of under 10 can be considerred within range but that is not common to most parts of UK where a TSH of over 5 is considerred hypothyroid. In other countrys a TSH of over 3 would be a starting point for treatment. I dont think I have seen a T4 so low before. I would imagine you vitamins are in thier boots as well. Thyroid care in the uk can be very poor but your GP seems to be extra incompetant. You will be very tired and unlikely to conceive while this hypo. I agree with GP that you are not well enough to manage a pregnancy but his failure to treat you defies all comprehension. Have you spoken to any other GPs in your surgery you may well get a better service from one of the others.
You may find going gluten free helps if you have antibodies but you do need some thyroid hormones asap.If you look on the thyroiduk website you can contact one of the admin who can send you a list of doctors that members have found helpful. Where abouts in the country are you?
I didn't really know what the correct range is so I thought this would be best place to get some advice and it makes me feel a bit better knowing this may relate to how I'm feeling. I'm struggling to get out of bed for work and all i want to do is sleep. I've also started an open uni degree but I don't feel like I'm functioning properly and my memory is getting worse.
I live in Glasgow, Scotland.
My gran had this too but I didn't know much about her symptoms just knew she was being treated for it. I have heard about weight gain but I've lost over 2 stone in the past 2 years down to 8stone which is really slim for my height and i dont really exercise so I'm not sure if this is due to my thyroid.
I will try speak to another GP and see what they say hopefully i can get something to make me feel and function better.
I'll contact them and look for more info thanks so much!!
If your TSH is over range (usually around 4.5) and high antibodies you are not borderline hypothyroid, you are actually hypo
Your GP is incorrect. Can you see different GP in the practice
Can you add you results and ranges for TSH, FT3 and FT4 plus thyroid antibodies
Plus have you had vitamin D, folate ferritin and B12 tested
Low vitamins are result of being hypo
You say you have had low iron and folate, but not treated now.
Can you add most recent results
If planning a pregnancy then TSH should be under 2 or 2.5
Clutter has info on that
You need starting on Levothyroxine. Standard starter dose is 50mcg.
Nice guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that majority of patients will need dose increased slowly until somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg
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. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
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
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's gut connection is very poorly understood
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
I will contact my gp and ask of they can send me a copy of full results and if not i will get the finger prick home test.
I will ask if I can have my vit d, folate, ferratin and b12 tested and ask for my most recent results. My b12 and haemoglobin have been low for the past 3 years and ive been on medication but said my results were fine this time.
Thats a good tip as i usually have my bloods taken after work around 5pm so i will make sure to get a morning appointment next time.
I will also ask to see another GP, to be honest this one said they would email someone who they deal with regarding bloods and diabetes to see what approach they would take with medicating me or not so I didn't have a lot of faith in them.
I'm terrible and never ask GP much just usually think they know what's right for me but feel more concerned about my health as I'm losing energy quite quicky.
Thanks for all the info.
Please get hold of a copy of all your bloods results and post them on here with the ranges. People will then be able to comment further.
I am so sorry to hear that your sadistic doctor has not already started you on levothyroxine, especially as you are thinking about starting a family!
According to NICE guidelines they should start you on levothyroxine if you are trying to conceive or if you are symptomatic.
I think you need to insist that you are started on treatment right away and if your doctor doesn't agree, change doctors or see another doctor in the practice.
It is extremely important that you have enough thyroid hormone in order to conceive and also for the health of the foetus while you are pregnant.
I've called my doctors this morning and requested a copy of my results to double check everything after hearing from everyone hear that I should be medicated.
I will ask for a different GP and hopefully I can be started on medication as I don't want to delay it for another year how ever long they want me to wait.
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