Is it all in my head?

[rlts]

Can someone help me make sense of these numbers? I have symptoms of hypothyroid: exhausted even with proper sleep. cold all the time, constipation, poor memory, dry skin, hair falling out, and weight gain, but I have been repeatedly told my labs are normal.

- In March I had my TSH done and it was 1.95mu/L. (Normal 0.3- 4.7) No other test were run because it was normal.

- In April I privately had thyroid tests again.

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 3.56 mIU/L (Normal 0.27 - 4.2)

FREE THYROXINE 17.6 pmol/l (Normal 12.0 - 22.0)

FREE T3 4.6 pmol/L (Normal 3.1 - 6.8)

- And I just had a private repeat Monday.

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 2.94 mIU/L (Normal 0.27 - 4.20)

FREE THYROXINE 17 pmol/L (Normal 12.00 - 22.00)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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 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 too, especially gluten. So it's important to get antibodies tested.

[rlts in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, I will look into getting these other tests done. All except for the first test done at the GP office was done fasting first thing in the morning.

I already know I am Vit D deficient my level was 19 nmol/L. My GP didn't even bother letting me know it was abnormal. I only found out when I got a copy of my lab print out and it clearly stated <25nmol/L Vitamin D deficiency Consider treatment. Would benefit from supplements.

My mother has Hashimoto's, but was tested and is being treated in the United States.

Sadly, I think even with test results my GP will just ignore them if they fall into "the range".

[Nanaedake in reply to rlts]

If you are armed with the information about your Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin antibodies the GP may be less likely to be dismissive although I would find a different GP if I was in your shoes. A vit D deficiency is not trivial and you should have been contacted and offered loading doses of D3 as your result was below 30nmol as per NICE advice.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to rlts]

As your mother has Hashimoto's, then there can be strong genetic link

Low vitamin D is extremely common with Hashimoto's

hypothyroidmom.com/92-of-ha...

Remember to call it autoimmune thyroid disease to GP

Yes sadly many GP's think low vitamin D not worth mentioning to the patient. They just don't learn about importance of vitamins

Actually vitamin D is a pre-steroid hormone, not a vitamin and essential

sciencedirect.com/topics/ne...

[rlts]

Very interesting to learn there is a genetic link to the Hashimoto's.

I just don't understand why if it is so common the NHS doesn't test beyond a TSH level. It is frustrating having to do everything privately. That said, is there somewhere here in the UK that I can find a private doctor that specializes in thyroid issues. I would happily travel if it meant sorting this out properly.

In regards to the Vit D results, I went to a new doctor in the practice rather than my usual and won't be going back to her. I've started on over the counter supplements, but think I will try and get a follow up with the main GP who I normally see.

[Nanaedake in reply to rlts]

When you visit GP, point him/her to the NICE guidelines on vitamin D supplementation and you will also have local area guidelines which will be similar to NICE which you could print out and hand to GP if he/she is not taking it seriously. You can find these guidelines if you google your local CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) information on the internet. For example, ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...

If you work in an office from 9-5 and can't afford trips abroad to get regular sun you could easily be vitamin D deficient. Might be worth pointing this out if it's the case?? Doctor won't know about connection with vit D deficiency and Hashimotos.