I'm new & in need of recommendations please

[feelingpooped]

Hi there

I'm having no luck with my G.P. in understanding my symptoms & doing more tests. So, I took the matters in my own hands & in the past few days have spent hours researching & reading to understand what's going on with my body.

Of course, I can't say conclusively (as I need the relevant 6 tests done for correct detection of Hypothyroid & an adrenal test as well) but I've either Hypothyroid or Hashimoto's. Again for Hashimoto's I need several tests done to confirm it. But the doctor has to be open minded to do this.

I think to an extent I understand now what's happening with my body and the few tests that they did do for me which, by the way they say are normal but I can see many deficiencies (from my hours of research & studies into this) like, insufficient vitamin D, low B12, low Ferratin, High Free T4 12.51, border line TSH of 1.77. NHS ranges are far too wide. If we rely on those ranges then we'd be bed ridden from fatigue & probably out of work before the doctor decides to do something about it.

Hundreds & thousands of women (from what I've researched) feel better or optimal when their readings are in the below ranges or they'd keep feeling the symptoms if the results are not within these ranges, despite them taking medications:

TSH is between 0.5-1.5

Free T4 --> 1.3-2.8 ng/dl

Free T3 --> 3.7 - 4.2 pg/ml

Reverse T3 --> FT3/rT3 ratio > or equal 20

TPO antibodies --> <2 IU/ml

TG antibodies --> <2 IU/ml

Sorry, for the long rant but basically I now realise that I'll have to go the private care route to have any hope of getting the relevant tests done, diagnosis and a proper treatment, preferably through natural medications.

So, has anyone here, used an integrative doctor or functional doctor or an alternative medicine practitioner, in London or Manchester or Leeds (I'm willing to travel), that you could recommend?

I'm desperate here and don't want to google up a practitioner without a reference.

If nothing else, I'm glad I found this forum.

My best wishes to all.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First and cheapest step is to get full private testing of thyroid and vitamins

Then come back here on new post for advice

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

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)

Thyroid Uk has list of recommended thyroid specialists

Email Dionne

[e-mail]

[feelingpooped in reply to SlowDragon]

OMG Dionne, you are a God send. Thank you. That's what I'd do now, to get all the tests done. Once I have the results in hand, should I then be taking them to my G.P. ?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to feelingpooped]

Come back with new post once you have results and ranges

Members can advise next step

[Angel_of_the_North]

Those don't look like UK ranges or units. It's not the actual number that matters but the percentage through the range (except for TSH, which isn't a thyroid hormone). In most UK ranges a free t4 of <13 would be rock bottom of range. Numbers are meaningless without ranges