Undiagnosed thyroid issue

[Cwtch35]

I’ve had thyroid issues going on for about a year with other problems which have interrupted the diagnosis such as post natal depression and kidney stones. At the start of the year my T3 was low at 0.3 but 3 months later had gone high to around 9, whilst TSH was 4.6. Just had a repeat test and both TSH and T3 have increased slightly. One GP wants to put me on thyroxine but my GP disagrees and thinks it might be the puturitory gland so she has recommended we repeat blood tests in 3 months and assess then. Any thoughts? Has anyone had anything similar? I had my son about 16 months ago and had gestational diabetes in both my pregnancies but not diabetic outside of pregnancy. Not sure if that makes me more susceptible to thyroid issues? Help!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Fluctuating levels suggest autoimmune thyroid disease, sometimes temporary after giving birth - called postpartum thyroiditis

nhs.uk/conditions/thyroiditis/

Low vitamin levels are extremely common and testing, then improving them with supplements can help

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)

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 are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

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.uk/tuk/about_...