Hyper or hypo

[pingpong]

So I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease in 2009 and am currently on Carbimazole 25mg as over the winter my levels increased. However, am currently experiencing muscle spasms, extreme cold, etc. (I have 43 symptoms of hypo. and only 8 symptoms of hyper) - loss of hearing, tinnitus, can't taste food, all new symptoms.

Not due for another blood test (usual NHS check of basic) until late May. I feel I should be looking at decreasing my Carbimazole. Any ideas?

[Valarian]

Why not call your endo, and ask for the blood test to be brought forward ?

[Marz]

Did you eventually manage to get your blood test results from the surgery or from the hospital ? - as mentioned in your thread of a month ago

How about vitamins and minerals ? - how are they doing ? B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD ? If optimal they could help you to feel better.

[pingpong in reply to Marz]

I am about to e-mail my consultant and request full blood tests rather than just TSH. See if he will play ball, otherwise will need to get done privately.

[Valarian in reply to pingpong]

I missed the point that they only tested TSH. This is pretty unusual if you are on Carbimazole - you may have to push for antibody tests, but your consultant (as opposed to your GP) should have no problem ordering FT3 and FT4.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you definitely sure it's Graves have you had TRab Antibodies tested?

Or you may have Hashimoto's instead or as well

Joint pain in previous post may be low vitamin D.

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, FT3 and FT4, 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. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If TPO and/or TG 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, especially gluten are highly likely with both Graves and Hashimoto's . So it's important to get antibodies tested.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

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

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

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first if considering trying strictly gluten free diet. This is because if you find it extremely effective, you don't want to have to go back on gluten to test for coeliac

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...