First time post - any advice or thoughts appreciated. Thyroid shows in normal range, but in my gut I know something is wrong!

[Chloe3456]

Hi everyone,

I am a 21 year old female who has experienced almost all of the symptoms of an under active thyroid for a prolonged period of time including fatigue, always cold, hair loss, low libido etc etc. It’s got to the point it’s ruining my life and I am desperate for help.

Back in 2016 I was tested and my results were T4 (13) and TSH (0.72). As the “normal” range is 9-21 for T4 and 0.4-4 for TSH nothing was done. I accepted this and got on with my life.

However, in December 2017 I went to the doctors with a huge lump on my neck, bigger than a golf ball and extremely noticeable. I thought it was a swollen gland. The doctor was gobsmacked at the size and informed me it was my thyroid. He proceeded to do tests for an under active thyroid as from my symptoms he was almost certain I had that. The results were T4 (13) and TSH (0.92). Again, normal range. However he advised I came back to be tested again in a few month as he said I have Hashimoto disease and often the thyroid will gradually decrease until it becomes underactive.

Went back February, and it had decreased by 1. T4 now 12 and TSH 0.75. He said despite the slight decrease it didn’t mean anything, so was left.

Since December, the symptoms I have always experienced have worsened. It has got to the point it is affecting my life, my job, my relationship. I start my first full time job as a teacher in one week and I am terrified my health will affect my success. So I went back to the doctor and begged him to do something.

Again, I was tested and T4 showed 12 and TSH 0.89. He has now said there is no more he can do as my results are in the normal range. He said I am probably experiencing the after effects of my thyroid being extremely inflamed.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Next steps? Any idea what is maybe going on? Should I leave this since my results are in the normal range? Any help or comment will be appreciated.

Thank you.

[Karenk13]

Did the Doctor check your Iron, Vitamin D, Folate and B12? Even if your thyroid is within normal range at the moment Hashimotos can cause those vitamins and minerals to be lower than normal so they could definitely be contributing to your symptoms. Sorry to hear that you feel so bad at the moment. Hopefully you will be able to find a resolution.

[Chloe3456 in reply to Karenk13]

Hi Karen,

Thank you for your response. Yes he has and all in normal range. My B12 is at the lower end of normal too (447) but still normal.

[greygoose in reply to Chloe3456]

Just being in the normal range isn't good enough. You need to know exactly where in the range they fall, because the ranges are too wide. If you live in the UK, it is your legal right to have a print-out of your results, so ask for one.

You also need your FT3 tested. T3 is the active hormone, and the one that causes symptoms if it is either too high or too low. Just because your TSH and FT4 are good, does not mean that your FT3 is also. It needs to be tested, but I doubt your doctor will do it. So, it would be an investment in your future health to get it tested privately. You need your FT3 and FT4 tested together so that you can compare them to see how well you convert.

[Chloe3456 in reply to greygoose]

Hi, thank you for your reply.

Yes I know the ranges, for T4 it’s between 9 and 21 and I am 12 so it’s the lower end of “normal”. For TSH the range is 0.2-4.5 and my latest results show 0.89, previous results show 0.75, 0.92, 0.72 so it is also particularly low. I do have a print out of my results, just received them yesterday. Are these results concerning or...?

I definitely think a next step would be to get my FT3 tested. I did not realise this was also important in determining a thyroid problem.

Chloe

[greygoose in reply to Chloe3456]

No, they're not in the least concerning. But, you have symptoms, which is why you need the FT3 tested. It extremely important in determining a thyroid problem, but doctors don't understand it.

But, I was talking about your nutrient results. Saying they're 'in the normal range' doesn't tell anybody anything. We need to know the exact results and ranges.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Chloe3456

Ask for thyroid antibodies to be tested - Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and Thyroglobulin (TG) and a thyroid ultrasound. These should confirm Hashi's.

Generally most doctors dismiss antibodies as being of no importance and know little or nothing about Hashi's and how it affects the patient, test results and symptoms. Once you have had Hashi's confirmed, if your results are still in range you still may not get anything prescribed, but you can take control to try and reduce the antibodies. Come back with further results and members will advise.

[Chloe3456 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi, thank you for your reply.

I have arranged another app with my doctor and I will ask for these to be tested. I did not realise these were of significance.

I will let you know my results to these if I manage to convince my doctor to test me for them.

Chloe

[Peanut31]

Hi

You say your GP has said you have Hashimoto's (I have this too) so I presume he did a blood test to confirm this?

The first thing you can do if you do have Hashimoto's (blood tests confirmed) is go gluten free.

I had awful trouble with my tummy and once I stopped eating anything with gluten in after a while I noticed the difference, it may also help with brain fog etc. Gluten can often trigger an attack on your thyroid and causes leaky gut. I also made the connection of joint pain in my hands and fingers if I had gluten.

I have been gluten free since September 2017 and will never go back to non gluten eating. At first I went mad buying everything gluten free, some of the things are awful, bread for one, but as time went on, I only had fresh foods and prepare lots of meal myself.

Bread I prefer Schar, crisps, Seabrooke or pom bears, There is a wide selection gluten free products in the Free from section in the supermarkets. Also join coeliac UK.

As also mentioned get your vitamin levels tested, mine were awful when I was first told I had Hashimoto's.

If your GP will not help further with blood tests, medi check and blue horizons offer blood tests for all the above suggested. The results come direct to you.

Best Wishes

Peanut31

[Chloe3456 in reply to Peanut31]

Hi, thank you for your reply.

I am actually very confused with the information I have received from the doctor. No, I don’t think it has been confirmed my blood test. He told me I had Hashimoto from the fact my thyroid was largely inflamed? And he did prescribe a doctors note to give to my university to say I have Hashimoto.

If I have blood test confirmed I will trial gluten free and see if that makes a difference. Thank you.