Ok to the point: I have not been tested in years and my GP used to say to me " Good thyroid you have" is this totally wrong what he said as I have just examined my blood tests below
I have had weight gain and many other symptoms the last few year, no energy, constant daily headaches even after taking painkillers, and mental health decline, the last year has been bad
Judging by symptoms - as nobody ever thought to do a test - I think I've been hypo since I was about 8. I finally got tested at 55 and - guess what! - I have Hashi's, and my thyroid was practically dead! I would like to take all the doctors I've ever seen in my life - especially those that were snide about my weight - and line them all up against a wall... I'll leave you to imagine the rest!
How frustrating for you! Yes i can believe it and agree some doctors are damn awful only a small number are good, I found some but not all of the old doctors are awful
The usual thyroid tests I have to go to the hospital if I want them quicker but the doctor agreed I need testing when he looked back at my results of old (Above)
He explained if its subclinical they probably wont treat it but monitor it, even though i have many symptoms
24/09/07Serum TSH level5.8 mu/L Abnormal result 0.5 - 4.2mu/L
07/06/08Serum TSH level4 mu/L0.5 - 4.2mu/L
31/08/11Serum TSH level4.51 mu/L Abnormal result 0.27 - 4.2mu/L
24/03/12Serum TSH level5.9 mu/L Abnormal result 0.27 - 4.2mu/L
22/06/12Serum TSH level5.77 mu/L Abnormal result 0.27 - 4.2mu/L
“Subclinical” is only a word they should use if there are *no* symptoms. You have them - so if the doctor tries to fob you off, ask how on Earth it can be subclinical...
Also, ask them to check for thyroid antibodies (you probably have them). If positive, it’s evidence that sooner or later your thyroid will fail, so why wait for that to happen?
And if you’re on a roll, ask them to test B12, Vit D and ferritin (because years of non treatment will often result in those levels being low and making you feel even worse).
Your TSH has been up and down to maintain a Free T4 in the lower half of the range. We usually advise keeping FT4 in the upper quartile so that you have a 'reservoir' to convert enough of it to FT3. It's essential to know what your FT3 is.
Since you are symptomatic with a variable TSH, it is not really ethical for your GP to withhold treatment. You've had years of alleged monitoring.
The Medichecks thyroid function profile is well worth doing, and as you've no doubt realised, orders on Thursdays are discounted.
It looks as though your GP will not be testing thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies, but you do need to know whether you're producing any. The mainstream view is that Tg abs will not be produced unless TPO abs are also being made, and that Tg +ve, TPO -ve patients are rarer than hen's teeth. Therefore, the thinking goes, there's no need to test Tg abs. However, we see quite a few people on the forum who fit the profile I've described.
I take it you know to fast before doing any blood tests that include thyroid function tests? You can drink water beforehand. With the NHS tests, make an appointment as early in the morning as possible, to coincide (more or less) with the higher output of TSH at this time. You need to know just how high your TSH is rising at the moment. Obviously, you've more control with the home pinprick blood test, so you can rise as early as possible to take the sample.
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