Hi my name is Karen. I had my thyroid removed in 2004 and in the same year I had a full hysterectomy. I am on 75mcg thyroxine and 1 mg of hrt. It will be nice to chat on here with anyone who has simular health issues.
Getting old??: Hi my name is Karen. I had my... - Thyroid UK
Getting old??
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Welcome to our forum Elston and many members will also be happy to share information.
There's no history on your Profile of your thyroid journey, only your name. You can add in what you've posted above and it gives members an idea and also saves you answering the same question.
I will give a couple of hints - which you may already know - and the following is advised when blood tests are due:-
Always get the very earliest appointment and allow a gap of 24 hours from your last dose of levothyroxin and the test and take it afterwards. This procedure helps keep the TSH at its highest as that appears to be the only result doctors look at and if anywhere in the range they may not increase dose.
When we are on an optimum dose we should feel well, with no clinical symptoms at all.
Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, usually when we get up with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating as food interferes with the uptake of the hormones.
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
A Full Thyroid Function Test is:
TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. If antibodies are present that confirms an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease - called hashimoto's or hashi's and is the commonest form of hypothyroidism. The antibodies attack the gland until the person is hypo but treatment is the same, i.e. levothyroxine. Antibodies can be reduced by going gluten-free.
Always get a prnt-out of your results with the ranges for your own records and you can post if you have a query.
Vitamins/minerals also have to be optimal. If you've not had them checked ask when you next are due a blood test, i.e. B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. Everything has to be opotimal.