Hypothyroidism info

[Anniewoz1]

Hi everyone can any of you point me in the direction of easy to understand information on hypothyroidism?

I had surgery for an over active thyroid 40 years ago, due to symptoms, I’m starting to wonder if my thyroid is now struggling.

My basic TSH blood test came back at 3.6

Many thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Annie

I suggest you start with ThyroidUK whose forum this is. Start at this page and work your way down the purple menu on the left hand side

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

Come back and ask any questions, members are always happy to help.

If you can get the tests that Reallyfedup has mentioned, that will give you a full picture of your thyroid and nutrient status. If your GP can't or won't do them all, we have recommended labs who offer private home tests, either fingerprick or venous blood draw, at a reasonable price. Post any results, with reference ranges (ranges are important as they differ from lab to lab) and we can interpret them for you and help you with the way forward.

[Anniewoz1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi seaside Sue

Thanks for your reply,

I’ve ordered a home testing kit today, I can’t believe some GP’s are not up to speed on thyroid functions!

[Anniewoz1]

Thanks for taking the time to reply,

my gp tells me TSH of 3.6 is normal !

I’ve ordered a home testing kit, hopefully I’ll get a few answers !

[Anniewoz1]

Thanks so much for your reply,

I find it hard to believe GP’s don’t know this information!

I’ll do the blood test as soon as it arrives ....... then patiently wait for results

Thanks again

[jimh111]

A TSH of 3.6 is not a problem for most people (the healthy population). The TSH result will have a reference interval after it, e.g. (0.27 - 4.2) which is the interval 95% of the healthy population lie within. Five percent of healthy people will have a TSH outside the interval, 2.5% with a TSH below 0.27 and 2.5% with a TSH above 4.2. So if you measure a persons TSH and it comes back as 3.6 the chances are they do not have a thyroid problem. There are two problems with this approach:-

1. Some people can be hypothyroid with a TSH within the reference interval for various technical reasons. A high TSH, usually above 10.0 is a good indicator of a failing thyroid. A normal TSH does not rule out hypothryoidism, despite what most doctors believe.

2. When treated with levothyroxine patients usually need their TSH to be around 1.0 to 2.0 in order to feel well. Many patients need a lower TSH. This is because levothyroxine treatment does not match the way our thyroid works, it secretes thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) throughout the day. Giving levothyroxine (L-T4) treatment means a bit more is required in order to supply normal T3 levels.

I would ask your GP to prescribe levothyroxine, enough to bring your TSH down to roughly 1.0. If this doesn't do the trick you can look into other options. As you only have part of a thyroid the (silly) rules about having an elevated TSH don't apply. If you run a TSH, fT3, fT4 blood test you may find your fT3 is low. This is because there is evidence has a role in converting T4 to T3 and without a full thyroid your conversion will be impaired.

I would give your GP a brief list of your most important symptoms and say that you want a trial of levothyroxine, you have symptoms that have come on recently, you managed on half a thyroid for 40 years but now it is affecting you.

[Anniewoz1 in reply to jimh111]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, your information makes total sense, I’ve a blood testing kit in the way.

Once I’m armed with results, I’ll go back to the doctor.

[silverfox7]

Could you run them passed us first so we can help with your responses to your GP if necessary?

[Anniewoz1 in reply to silverfox7]

Absolutely