Hi I'm new on this site, recommended by a lovely lady I met purely by chance in matalan yesterday!
Early 2017 I started gaining weight, fatigued, depressed, itchy skin, dandruff, flaking nails, hair loss etc etc no apparent reasons so off to doctors, sent me on course to gym for 12 weeks. Went religiously every day no weight nor inch loss at all, still this horrible bloated tummy. I researched symptoms myself all came back to thyroid problems but my doctor disagrees bloods are normal. I decided to get all bloods for thyroid done privately cos nhs just doing basics. The doctor there said was under active thyroid gave me 25mcg levothyroxine and eventually began to feel little better, increased to 50mcg after eight weeks BUT I can't afford private payments so back to own doctor who refuses to treat me for this. I'm getting more and more depressed, they've offered anti depressants which I've refused, I just want to feel normal again. Can anyone shed light on these readings please
Total Thyroxine T4 - result 70 Range 59-154
TSH result. 0.74 Range 0.27-4.2
Free T4. result 13.5 . Range 12.0-22.0
Free T3. result 4.2. Range 3.1-6.8
Thyroglobulin. result. 12.3. Range 0-115
Thyroid peroxidase. result 11.5. Range 0-34
I'm totally baffled any help much appreciated, sorry so long, thanks.
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Springers4
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Are these results from before starting on Levothyroxine or results from when on 50mcg Levothyroxine?
Have you had vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin tested too?
Add results and ranges if you have them
Your antibodies test are both negative, that doesn't necessarily rule out autoimmune thyroid disease, also called Hashimoto's. Apparently approx 20% with Hashimoto's never have raised antibodies
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
Ask GP for coeliac blood test plus these vitamins if not been done
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins
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. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
Thanks Slow Dragon for prompt reply, tests done before medication and private doctor did mention I could have Hashimoto. I recently saw a locum at my own practice and she sent me for bloods, ironically receptionist has just called to say vitamin D levels low and doctor will call me to discuss. I'm sure there is a connection somewhere I've read, I'd like to be able to confront with facts when they call me.
Its extremely common to have low vitamin D, folate, B12 and/or ferritin when hypothyroid
Important to test all four. Also requesting coeliac blood test helps focus GP on vitamin levels
Supplementing to improve levels to optimal levels can then help thyroid hormones to work and often results in increase in TSH so that underlying hypothyroidism is recognised and treatment started
Come back with new post once you find out how low vitamin D is and what GP has prescribed
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