I'll keep it as short as I can. I am 41, female, 85kg, 165cm tall. Been overweight since I was around 10. Gallbladder removal last February (2017). Since then have been picking up many colds, infections etc and not shaking them as fast as I used to. Last summer was very active, was doing HIIT bootcamp three times a week, 5-7 mile run weekly plus running around/cycling with my 6 year old. Then in September I caught a cold which continued. Went to GP, said I had post viral fatigue. Took it easy for a bit, and have just caught everything since. In addition, very tired, cold hands and feet, hair falling out (not loads, just more than usual), dry skin (including intimate skin), eyes getting tired very fast, memory is terrible (serious brain fog at the moment, can't reach for words as readily as normal). Ongoing possible symptoms also include low resting heart rate (around 55) and low blood pressure. I also have constant post nasal drip, sore throat, runny nose, no or very limited sense of smell, (I can smell drains a lot but no-one else can) and swollen lymph nodes. Was treated with antibiotics and steroids for the nose issue to no avail, and whilst under the GP for that he noticed by lymph glands and I've been referred to ENT for those. I asked for bloods at the same time, he would only do TSH (plus all the other standard ones - iron, cholesterol, diabetes). I'm told all those are within range and so 'normal'. I haven't seen them yet as it's very difficult to get an appointment at my surgery.
So I paid for medichecks to do a thryoid panel.
I take Vit D, Vitamins B, folic acid, selenium, zinc and iodine as well as omeprazole (for ongoing acid reflux issues) and escitalopram for anxiety/depression.
Receding gums could be due to low Human Growth Hormone. HGH is a pituitary hormone, like TSH. So, you could have a pituitary problem, as Clutter suggests. Your pituitary really ought to be investigated.
I'm going to see ENT people next week for the swollen necks glands, think I'll see if I can get them to refer me within the hospital for checking my pituitary, or at least see if they suggest I go to the GP with my results for the thyroid panel so I can go along armed with their suggestion, iyswim!
First, did you stop Vitamin B complex 3-5 days before test?
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
Iodine is extremely controversial and should only be supplementing if tested and found definitely deficient and done under consultation with iodine specialist.
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Ask GP to test and also ask for Coeliac blood test
TSH is low-normal which rules out primary hypothyroidism. I think FT4 and FT3 are both a little low in range and would expect to see TSH higher with low FT4 and FT3. Although results are within range they're low and may indicate secondary hypothyroidism developing.
Thyroid antibodies are negative for autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's).
I think you will need to wait and watch and retest in 6 months. NHS will only diagnose hypothyroidsm when either TSH is over range or FT4 below range.
I don't think receding gums is a typical hypothyroid symptom.
I am thinking this may be individual depending on if these SSRIs medications produce side effects such as marked diarrhea or constipation ... messing up all your medications ...
Hello - yes, I know they are - but I am dairy free (have been for ten years after developing milk intolerance - lactose or whey. I might take a look at what I'm eating to see if I'm inadvertently taking milk in some form. Thanks
In the days before blood tests, we were treated on our symptoms. And you've got plenty of symptoms that are indicative of poor thyroid function.
TSH doesn't always need to be raised to indicate hypothyroidism. Primary hypothyroidism is where your thyroid isn't working well which makes your TSH rise in order to stimulate the thyroid.. Secondary and tertiary hypothyroidism are where your pituitary and hypothalamus respectively are not working well so that TSH then doesn't work well enough to stimulate the thyroid (they both produce hormones to produce TSH).
Your fT4 and fT3 are both low in range. Many only feel well when their fT3 is the top end of the range. Some people think your fT4 should be in top end of the range, others that it should be mid range. Personally I had problems when my fT4 got towards the top of the range, as it wasn't converting well to fT3.
fT4 works like a 'storage' hormone, and needs to be converted in the body to ft3 which is the active thyroid hormone. Some people have genetic problems with this conversion, some have nutritional deficiencies (eg ferritin, vit B12, vit D, folate) which can be caused by hypothyroidism, some people may have problems with , for instance, their liver, which is one of the organs involved in conversion.
Sadly, I imagine you won't get anywhere with your GP on this, as they insist that TSH is all that is needed to diagnose hypothyroidism. You could try asking for a trial of levothyroxine... or you could look at self medicating. You'd get plenty of advice here if you decide to do that.
The acid reflux problem often goes hand in hand with hypothyroidism. Although it feels like you are producing too much acid, it's likely that you are not producing enough - the symptoms are the same, which is confusing!
Welcome to the forum, and ask as many questions as you need to
Hi, thank you for your response. On one hand it is great to see that hypothyroidism is the problem - and I am going to get off that flipping Omeprazole as soon (but as gradually - I've been through withdrawal before!) as possible.
Low normal fT3, fT4 is unusual. Since both hormones contribute you are likely to be hypothyroid. This is confirmed by your signs and symptoms, dry skin is very secific for hypothroidism.
Although not technically central hypothyrodism it is essentially the same, the pituitary is underperforming. Thus your doctor cannot rely on TSH as the TSH is failing to respond adequately to your low hormone levels. I would see your GP and in a friendly but assertive manner insist on a trial of levothyroxine (no less than 50 mcg, 25 mcg is too little to show a difference). Maybe take someone with you.
I think in the long term you may need some liothyronine (L-T3) as well but it is very difficult to get this prescribed. In any event it makes sense to give levothyroxine a try first. I would stop taking iodine as it's effects are unpredictable and can make hypothyroidism worse.
Reflux is common in hypothyroidism which can lead to 'reduced lower oesophagel sphincter pressure'. The valve at the top of your stomach weakens letting acid reflux back into the gullet. This recovers once the hypothyrodism is treated. Hypothyroidism is a risk factor for gall stones.
Hi, thanks for responding. I'm taking vit b6 and b12 (Oxford Vitality neuro vitamins, I can't seem to find the amounts though). I'm going to work to get off the omeprazole slowly too, as I've suspected I'm not getting vitamins properly for some time.
Hi - just read your post and was like reading about myself. I am probably much older than you but I like to keep as young and fit as possible. I have had receding gums for about 25 yrs now and sensitive teeth for which I use the usual toothpastes.
I have constant post nasal drip which I don't really treat with anything any more as it just comes back. Hence am subject to respiratory infections so try to avoid places where I might pick up bugs, viruses. Been a lot of tragedy in my immediate family and when my son died suddenly 2 years ago I started to put on more weight and felt very sluggish. Hair started to fall out serioiusly in the shower I would drape it over the side of the bath... my pulse slowed to around 50 -55 whereas it always ran at 78 - 80. I got episodes of light headedness and feeling faint which was annoying as I like to walk a few miles each day with my dog. A routine blood test showed primary hypothyroisism and I was started on Levothyroxine 100 once a day. Felt much better after a few days and after routine check up bloods it was reduced to 75 then eventually to 50 but after that reduction the symptoms came back so I am back on 75. I now judge it by my hair fall out and the lightheaded feelings and palpitations. I have lots of other problems - Raynauds phenomenom, hypocholesterolaemia and when it's all written down like this I sound a wreck but actually it was the Thyroid symptoms that prompted the doctor visits.
Hi Sooty, thank you for responding. It's very helpful to hear that someone else with the same issues has found levothyroxine to work. I'm so sorry to hear about your son - my sister died 6 years ago (also suddenly) so I understand a little about what you're going through. I imagine the thyroid issues made it much worse as having no energy and other symptoms are so similar to those of depression and grief, aren't they?
I'm hoping the GP will take me seriously and give me a trial of the medication, it would be amazing if it worked and I regained energy and a clear mind! My son is extremely bright and has insanely high energy levels and needs a lot of my time and energy, which I love and really want to have the energy to do more with him. It's barely 7pm and I'm already in bed, having struggled through today (although yesterday I pushed myself as it was a snow day, and we so rarely get snow that we spent the day outside sledging and so on). I look forward to having the energy to give my husband some time in the evenings, rather than flaking out as soon as my son is asleep!
Hi liljolj - nice to hear from you and so sorry to hear about your sister. I hope youir GP will listen to you as you and your family deserve to have as much quality time as possible. I dont have the test result levels as I was in such a low state I didn't really register much so it is a good thing my GP was on the ball - she recently took early retirement and after 30 years I have had to go to another practice which has made me realise that not all GPs respond to things in the same way. Hope to chat again so let me know how it goes. am new to this site so not sure how it all works yet. Take care x
Hi I just wanted to say I'm so sorry about losing your son, I lost my daughter a year and a half ago, she was only 28, and 6 months pregnant. I think the shock affects us physically. Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you, it is a dreadful dreadful thing. x
Thank you for your post Dinglebell. What a very sad loss for you. As a family we have struggled past 7 years as first tragedy was my grandson who took his own life and then his grandpa did the same so my daughter lost her beloved son and her dad within 6 months. She will never be the same person again - there were other family deaths too so it all takes its toll on your health. All we can do is try to get through but sometimes it feels impossible. I am thinking of you and how brave you are as it will still be very raw. I hope you get the correct treatment if you have a thyroid imbalance as it does help.
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