What are your symptoms?

[rustydog]

Hello all, I’ve just joined this forum to see if anyone can relate.

I have wondered for some time if I have thyroid issues but unfortunately, I am not getting anywhere with my GP. Blood tests ok, apparently.

I’m just wondering what your symptoms are and if mine could be related to a thyroid issue?!

I’m tired/exhausted a lot almost like I have left my ‘energy tap’ on and it’s all drained out!

Weak/shaky feeling but still have strength.

Feel the cold a lot especially in my hands, fingers and feet, my fingers feel numb outside in the winter, HATE the winter!

But also struggle when it’s really hot too, can’t handle excessive heat?!

Tummy/IBS troubles and indigestion.

Heavy periods.

Very anxious and jittery, a LOT of the time.

Feel quite down in the dumps.

My vitamin d levels are a little low (46) but don’t think that’s too bad.

Iron levels have been low for some time because of heavy periods but are now higher as I’ve been supplementing (but enegery levels haven’t improved).

I’m just trying to get to the bottom of why I’ve felt like this for so long and maybe it isn’t thyroid issues but whenever I google my symptoms, thyroid symptoms always pop up?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

So many signs and symptoms of Hypothyroidism, check them out

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Your Vit D is way too low, the Vit D Council recommends a level of 100-150nmol/L so you need to improve that.

Ferritin needs to be at least 70 for thyroid hormone to work and that is our own as well as replacement hormone.

You should have B12 and folate checked as well.

What are your thyroid test results? If you post them, with the reference ranges, we can tell you how "OK" they actually are.

[rustydog in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for replying so quickly. I will look at that website. Gp told me my thyroid levels were ‘within range’, I didn’t think to ask for the numbers, will ring and find out. I believe I’ve had my vit b12 and folate too but will also ask. I had vit d, bone profile and coeliac blood test last week, was told by receptionist that all fine except vitamin d which is a ‘tad’ low so just take some otc supplements?!

I’ll ring gp’s and ask for levels of everything I’ve had done. I always feel like I’m being a pain in the bum, they make me feel as though I’m asking for some too secret info, not my own blood test results!,

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to rustydog]

To ensure that no mistakes are made, you would be better asking for a print out of your results. Giving them verbally or being written down by someone who doesn't actually know what they mean leaves it open to them not being accurate. So if you ring and say you would like a print out of all your results and say you will pop along on xxxxxx (day) to collect them, gives them time to get it sorted.

If they are difficult, remind them that the Data Protection Act legally entitled you to your results (and you don't have to give a reason for wanting them).

[rustydog in reply to SeasideSusie]

That’s a great idea, thank you 😊

[shaws Administrator]

Maybe you haven't had a thorough thyroid blood test. If you are in the UK, doctors have been directed not to prescribe until the TSH is 10, whilst ignoring the patients' disabling symptoms. In other countries, when TSH is 3+ people are prescribed.

I shall give you a list of clinical symptoms:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

You need TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies but you may need a Private Test as GPs only do TSH and(maybe) T4.

We have two private labs who do home pin-prick tests and you must be well hydrated a couple of days before the blood draw. I shall give you a link but the draw has to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and if you were taking thyroid hormones you'd allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards.

Medichecks and Blue Horizon are the labs:

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

[rustydog in reply to shaws]

Thanks you Shaws, I will check it out and get back to the gp with this info. If no luck will definitely look into private testing.

[shaws Administrator in reply to rustydog]

I think the GP wont welcome any information which hasn't come through his usual channels. I believe they only test TSH and T4.

[rustydog]

Just looked at the symptoms list. I can tick so many of these!

[shaws Administrator in reply to rustydog]

Once upon a time we were diagnosed upon our clinical symptoms alone and given a trial of NDT.