Newbie needing help

[Noiron]

Hi Im new on here and was diagnosed as underactive approximately 8 years ago after having to change doctors to make anyone listen. During that time i went up four dress sizes and got really ill. Over a number of years my dose has been increased to 200 mcg of levothyroxine.

This stopped me putting on more weight but left me with with other symptoms, which I coped with by exercising on a regular basis. In 2014 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy, during the recovery and reconstruction I have loads of problems which meant I had a total of 5 lots of surgery. This all interfered with my thyroid function which I know is not working correctly but my doctor says results are fine. I am back exercising and battling to stop the weight increasing but feel like I’m getting no where. I am now being told to lose weight as I’m at risk of diabetes.

What are others doing to fight the weight issue?

What vitamins and minerals are people taking to help?

[greygoose]

I very much doubt your thyroid has any function, if you're on 200 mcg levo.

Do you have a copy of your thyroid test results? Doctors rarely understand the results and think that anything vaguely in-range is ok. Did he even do an FT3 test? Because you're probably not converting that T4 to T3, and that's why you're putting on weight. But, we won't know anything for certain unless we see the results.

[Noiron in reply to greygoose]

Thank you I will try and get a copy of the blood test results

[greygoose in reply to Noiron]

Just ring or go and ask at reception. It is your legal right to have a copy, if you live in the UK.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies of results and ranges

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, if it is you may need enhanced access to see blood results.

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)

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

Essential to test thyroid antibodies, FT3 and FT4 plus vitamins

As you are taking high dose FT4 it might also be worth testing Reverse T3

Private tests are available. NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies and can never test reverse T3

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

Medichecks Thyroid or Blue Horizon 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 ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 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

[Noiron in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you this is really interesting I will apply for the blood test results and do more investigation.

[silverfox7]

Are you taking any other supplements? We are often low in Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin so useful to get those tested as well as they help your thyroid to function bettercand greatly assist with conversion issues and other symptoms. Doctorsdont raalise this and very few know about treating low vitamins so we can help with that.