Hi Does anybody have anxiety? I am convinced mine is related to my thyroid. I had part of my thyroid removed 28 years ago and now take thyro

[fitza]

All blood tests from gp come back as "normal". Gp not really interested when I ask about further blood tests!

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes anxiety is classic hypo symptom.

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, FT4 and FT3 plus vitamins

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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

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.

If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, and if on T3 don't take in 12 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

[Hidden]

You could well be under treated or not appropraitely treated and you would be far from alone in this.if you could get your blood results from your doctor and post on here it wouldbe helpful for us to see. You are leaglly intitled to your results. You may need, as slow dragon has said, need to have your blood privetly tested but often the blood from your doctor can give us some idea. Have you any other symptoms. A list wouldbe good.

[fitza in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for reply. I will ask for results. X

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fitza]

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)

[fitza in reply to Hidden]

Hi my results are T4 level on first test was 0.39 just out of normal range. 0.40-4.50mu/L then a retest was done and results were T4 level normal 20.5 pmol/L 8.00 - 21.00 pmol/L. I have no idea what this means ?? Any advice appreciated. Thanks. Also been told by optician I have mild Graves disease. X

[Hidden in reply to fitza]

I presume you mean TSH at 0.39 and T4 at 20.5. This is more indicative of mild graves than being hypothyroid as I initially thought and may well be contributing to anxiety. If you could also take you pulse or get a friend to take it it will clarify even furthur. I would think it may be worth a slight reduction in medication but would like to know pulse too.Another possibility is that you are not converting T4 (the thyroid hormone store) to T3 (the active thyroid hormone) and are therefore not benefiting from the hormones you are taking and are really hypo despite quite high hormone levels. You will need your T3 tested but a pulse will give a pretty good indication and much cheaper for now than having to pay for a blood test.

[fitza in reply to Hidden]

63

[Hidden in reply to fitza]

Low normal so I would think unlikley graves. I think you would do well to havesome more blood tests in particular your T3 to see if you are converting well and it would be also good to have your B12, vitmain D, ferretin and folate tested as if these are low it can prevent yourbody from being able to utilize thyroid hormone.

Do You have any other symptoms other than the anxiety.

[fitza]

Thanks very helpful. X

[dtate2016]

My doctor of osteopath here in the states says the anxiety is directly related to the methylation process . He does DNA testing To find out whether individuals had the genetic weakness in the methylation process. Such a good doctor he actually found a laboratory that will take whatever insurance pays which is never the full amount of the DNA testing but they said they would do it to help him and his patients is that wonderful or what? A true healer - and one that is also fed up with big Pharma and insurance companies.

Anyway the results came back for me that I am one of the 30% of the people in the world that have a weak methylation process.

He Explained that when folic acid is not metabolized properly ( and I was taking all kinds of folic acid !) The nervous system is affected. I’ve had varying degrees of anxiety all my life. Was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s 30 years ago. Mentholated folate is the answer for those that have a genetic weakness in metabolizing folic acid. People with Hashimoto’s have to have adequate folic acid just like everyone else. But for those of us who have what some refer to as the “dirty gene” (MFTHR) - (see book written by Dr. Ben Lynch) - we need to do all kinds of things to keep the methylation process working right . One of which is taking supplements that include methylated folate. I noticed the difference within three days my panic attacks reduced by 85%! I was able to enjoy driving again especially passing semi trucks 18 wheelers I’m not sure what you guys call them on that side of the pond! But yes! Anxiety and thyroid problems and the methylation process go hand in hand for many of us. There are many proprietary blends - and many do not have to take “Methyl Support” or “Methyl Protect” every day to see the results of decreased anxiety. Note: Use a health practitioner of some sort if you decide to try using methylated folate as it is easy to overdose and get unwanted side effects of itching, etc.

The book mentioned above offers home remedies / careful diet solutions to the “dirty gene”!

It is not all in your head / a brain thing! Read all you can on the methylation process. Get genetic testing if you possibly can. Anxiety free / greatly reduced anxiety is just a folation process away for many.

[fitza in reply to dtate2016]

Thank you x