Suspected hypothyroid

[Liztook]

I have had my thyroid tested and it has come back as 4.24.

Ive bern told that is hogh by my g.p. but wiithin the normal range. I do have all the symptoms of hypothyroid except the coldness and have had these symptoms for many years. Ive looked online and a result of 4.24 seems to be borderline. I take b vitamins as a supplement ..and sea kelp and vitamin d and others

Can anyone advise me please . Could naturethyroid help me?

[greygoose]

For once, a doctor that knows something about thyroid! Yes, your TSH is too high. You are hypo when your TSH hits 3. But, how many times has he tested it? Because there are other things that can cause the TSH to raise, like a virus, or something. So, it is usually tested at least twice, at a three month interval, to make sure you really are hypo.

And, you really should not be taking kelp. There is a possibility that it's the kelp that is raising your TSH. It's high in iodine, and iodine is anti-thyroid, it used to be given to people with hyperthyroidism, to stop their thyroids over-producing hormone. You should get tested before taking it.

Did your get your vit D, B12 and folate tested before starting to supplement. It really is not advisable to supplement without testing first. What else are you taking?

[Liztook in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for your reply

Yes i was deficient in above and ive been seriously thinking of stopping sea kelp because of the iodine so i will definitely stop it now . What do you think of naturethyroid does it have good results with hypothyroidism ?

Thanks

[greygoose in reply to Liztook]

NatureThroid is good if it suits you, like all forms of thyroid hormone replacement. But, I wouldn't start self-treating until you've been off the iodine for a good while, to see if your TSH goes back down again.

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum and I am sorry you have hypothyroidism.

In the UK doctors have been directed not to diagnose until the TSH is 10 whereas in other countries we are diagnosed if it is above 3.

I realise you are taking vitamins/minerals to help yourself but I'd ask GP to test them if you've not done so already, i.e. B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. If he hasn't tested for thyroid antibodies ask for these too. If you have antibodies you'd have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease also called hashimoto's and it is the commonest form but treatment is the same as for hypothyroidism.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges. Ranges are figures in brackets after the result and is important as labs differ and it makes it easier for members to respond when ranges are stated. I don't know if your GP will consider the following link from TUK but try anyway but he will probably still want to keep with his guidelines. Some doctors will prescribe.

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

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

I know how desperate you feel but try and get your GP to give you a trial of 50mcg if he doesn't then put up a new post requesting information and asking for a private message to be sent to you as no information is permitted on the open forum. Dose begins at 50mcg with 25mcg increases every six weeks after a blood test. These should always be at the earliest and allow a gap of 24 hours between a dose of levo and the test and take afterwards. Taking food before a blood test can skew the results so eat after the blood test.

When you see a red dot appear on the top line, someone has either responded to you or messaged you. You click on the red. Messages are only between you and the respondent.

[Liztook in reply to shaws]

Thankyou for your comprehensive answer and for taking the time to write it - much appreciated

Ive requested the readout and ill post again when ive got it.

What do you think of sea kkelp as i know its iodine and overdosing on iodine is bad for the thyroid but i took it for hair loss is this a catch 22 or do you think i should drop iodine from my supplements.

Thanks again

[shaws Administrator in reply to Liztook]

I am not medically qualified but hair loss can also be a clinical symptom of hypothyroidism. This is a link which may be helpful re iodine:-

chriskresser.com/iodine-for...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Liztook]

Hair loss is common when hypothyroid, especially Hashimoto's. Low Ferritin and/or low zinc can be culprits

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

hypothyroidmom.com/my-favor...

Ask GP to test ferritin, B12, folate and vitamin D. Might test zinc too

Definitely avoid iodine unless tested and found deficient, especially if you have Hashimoto's

drknews.com/iodine-and-hash...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[Liztook]

Ive got results back and it says t4 11.5 and tsh 4.28

Ive also got huge belly fat

Thanks