Straight to private? (I'm new)

[Icicles]

Serum TSH 3.13miu/L (0.27-4.2)

Serum free T4 13.9pmol/L (12.0- 22.0)

After another lacklustre month with all my many symptoms presenting their millions of miseries and following another constipation 'solution' up a dead end, I wondered whether I could persuade my GP to do another TFT. A friend had convinced her GP to try her on some thyroxine and she had literally not looked back. Another friend was getting hers checked every year as part of a 'well woman' thing because her mother is prescribed thyroxine (as is mine) and I found thyroiduk and read some things and requested my test results from last year (above). From reading things on here I thought that there could be a possibility of me being one of a massive group of people who are not being served very well by the NHS/GPs or I could be about to spend a few weeks or months negotiating another dead end. I have sent in a sample to Medichecks, but am now worried that it has got caught up in the bad weather and is sitting somewhere still waiting to be delivered and has 'gorn orf'....I suppose that I am wondering whether, from looking at my simple test results from a year ago, someone here who knows would say that I am on a wild goose chase and should resign myself to being a fat, deaf, tired, fed up, constipated, dried up old woman or that it's worth (what sounds like a lot of effort on some people's parts and) following this up with a specialist who lives very near me and cut out the middle (GP) woman? I would be grateful for any support and 'advice'...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If the blood test has got held up, they will let you know and almost certainly send out another.

First step is to get full testing, and its tough waiting to find out.

Your TSH is at high and FT4 low, so it does suggest you may have an issue

[Icicles in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, I'll hang on and see what happens.

[Rapunzel]

Beware the wisdom of throwing down money after a hope to feel better quickly with this particular condition. The medics who know more than jack sh*t about anything to do with thyroid problems are few and far between. In the meanwhile you may come across many who would relieve you of a good deal of money, get your hopes up and fail, miserably.

You're at the beginning of your journey. Keep reading, follow successful interventions for constipation from the forum ( my suggestions to try would be magnesium, aloe vera, inulin [which may also help sleep] ) and forget a magic bullet which will immediately make you well. Hypo comes on slowly and will be resolved slowly...good luck

[Icicles]

Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I noticed that there was someone on the ThyroidUK list quite near me so they might be someone I would consider, but I am going to look at my results from Medicheck and show them to my GP as a first line if they indicate it. A fear is that they won't explain my symptoms when they come through, but also its pretty terrifying to see how much of a struggle it's been for so many on this site. But thank you, yes, I'll be careful and read much more about others' experiences.

[Hidden]

Why not sort your own blood tests out Blue Horizon thyroid 11 is a good one for a start.

Then post the results on here with the ranges for answers it's a lot cheaper than going private, I did that and after spending over £2000 was no better off.

I joined this site and received all the answers to make myself well again and with no thyroid I self medicate and feel well.

[Icicles in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Bunnyjean, I do realise how much truth there is in what you say, having had so many helpful replies and generous advice. I really admire you for self treating and am not far off doing that myself, now that I have some more thorough results and the confidence to request help from such kind and knowledgable strangers. It's been a massive surprise to me and I'm going to take full advantage of it. Thank you for taking the time to reply and I hope that you don't mind if I come back to you for some support and advice once I make the decision and take some action x

[Hidden]

Of course I don't mind I only want to help.