I've been unwell for nearly three years now and undergone every test on the planet. During this time my gp was sent to prison and all his patients dispersed to a new practice. The new gps are hostile and keep telling me it's all in my head.
I've insisted on further tests and recently had a blood test showing an abnormal thyroid result and that I'm low in calcium. Had it redone last week and now it's normal. Can I ask to be prescribed hypothyroidism medication to see if it will work??? They've tried to force me to take other medications that I didn't need "just to see" in the past, all of which I refused to take.
I've had raised cholesterol, been diagnosed with chronic dry eyes and blepharitis and gained about 4 stone during this time. I'm constantly thirsty, wee about 100 times a day, have numbness and tingling in my right arm, muscle and bone pain, dizziness, brain fog, memory problems, and I'm constantly exhausted no matter how much I sleep. I'm a 36 year old female and never had any ongoing physical health problems prior to this
Thanks
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marymcc1
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I have no idea what my results are, either time. I was just told the first was abnormal and the second normal. Can I phone and ask for them or does the doctor have to tell me?
Call your surgery reception and ask for a printed copy of your results, they cannot refuse as the information is yours and you have the right to a copy. The receptionist will usually have to get the GPs permission to give them but shouldn't be an issue.
Do not accept hand written results as that can result in mistakes. Ensure you have printed copies and ensure ranges too are included. Your legal right - link below
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 and can not charge at all after May 2018)
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 plus vitamins
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 ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. 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
As others has said get your blood results from the surgery and ask for the official copies with lab ranges. Don't accept hand written results, then post on here.
I doubt your GP will give you any thyroid medication to try out, as the fact they are saying it's all in your head goes to show they are idiots and not prepared to look at the bigger picture.
However, they have to be sure you have a thyroid issue before prescribing anything. Most GP's are not very clued up on Thyroid related problems, hence the numerous posts on here daily.
One of the GP's in my surgery very recently told me that it was all in my head as well, needless to say I avoid her at all costs.
I knew damn well it wasn't in my head, and, I was right, on a recent blood test my TSH is now 12.2 (0.27-4.5) and my other thyroid results are also out of range.
The surgery phoned me straight away about the results, I also accessed my results on line, so I could see it was NOT in my head.
I was offered a telephone call to discuss them in seven days as reckoned no appointments, but, first thing on the Monday morning I sat and and waited at the surgery to get a same day appointment with my allocated GP, as I felt rotten.
He was brilliant and said "no wonder you feel like crap with those results" his words, I said "I've felt rubbish for years".
I didn't want to mention the other GP within the practise as I could see I may finally be getting somewhere with him.
GP put me straight on Levothyroxine 50mg a day (2nd day of taking it), then I have to go back in a few weeks to have bloods taken again.
My journey has not been brilliant, I started feeling ill when I was 38 years old, (now 40 years old), freezing cold all the time (that's been going on since I was young), tired, anxiety, brain fog, no zest for life, weight unstable despite being active, tummy cramps, muscle stiffness, especially my neck, hair loss, dry skin, waking up feeling awful despite having a good nights sleep.
I just could not do the simple tasks and when I did, it was a struggle, everything was an issue. It wasn't until I went to see an acupuncturist to see if they could help with my neck pain (saw a physio and it didn't improve) the acupuncturist told me to go the GP to have a thyroid test.
My TSH was high but, not overly high, but I decided to pay private to see a private Endocrinologist, he confirmed Hashimoto's, (antibodies present) but, refused to treat me with any medication as said it wouldn't help.
I ended up paying private with Medichecks for full thyroid test as he was just testing vitamin levels all the time. This also confirmed Hashimoto's and a scan confirmed Hashimoto's too.
This is when I turned for help on here and another thyroid forum. My vitamin levels were low when I started to see the Endocrinologist so I did get them back up, as if they are low this will not help.
With the advice on here I take:
selenium
iron tablet (mild one 85mg)
vitamin D
Vitamin c
B12
Magnesium
Cod liver oil
plus supplements to help with my leaky gut (symptom of Hashimoto's)
I'm also gluten free and dairy free advice on here.
It is still very early days for me now I'm finally on medication and I know I will have bad days and good whilst I waiting for the Levothyroxine to work.
If no luck, pay private for the Thyroid bloods including vitamins and anti bodies (Medi checks or Blue Horizons do this) you can either pay for someone to draw the blood at home, think blue horizons offer this service, or, you can visit one of the hospitals they have. The results will be sent directly to you as well.
Then go back to the GP, I sure I read that until TSH is over 10 they will not help, and they don't look at the other results, just the TSH. If they do not help the only option is self medicate, but, you are a long way off that and you have to be sure that you have ticked all the boxes before this.
Not many people will see your post above as you have technically replied to yourself
I would start a new post with your results and add the ranges - as labs do vary. More people will see it and respond.
You really need more in depth testing as per SlowDragon 's post above with lots of information. Are you able to have Private Testing in order to obtain the FULL picture. it is possible you have Hashimotos but without testing the Anti-bodies you will not know.
No results there for B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD - they all need testing ....
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 ideally 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. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten. So it's important to get tested.
If you have high thyroid antibodies then changing to strictly gluten free diet likely to help
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results and ranges when you have them, members can advise
Hashimoto's affects the gut and often 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 is very poorly understood
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
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