DOUBTFUL ENDOCRINOLOGIST

[fiftyone]

I would welcome some specific guidance relating to my daugher's test results. She regularly sleeps for 16 hours at a time and I believe she needs a dose of thyroxine. I did try her on my 25mcg for a while and she felt much better but I was reprimanded for this and so stopped. However, she does take antidepressants (for anxiety) and this may be clouding the picture. She saw an endo a couple of months ago who said her thyroid was fine and she needed nothing. However, this endo did not test her T3, and her T4 seems suspect as I believe this measure should be at the higher end of the range.

TSH 1.103 (0.570-3.600)

T4 9.8(7.9-14.00)

Hypothyroidism does run in the family. I know how it feels to be constantly tired if you are not properly medicated and I am very concerned for her well being.

If there are any specialists on this site who agree with my suspicion, I would appreciate influential information which can be taken to a GP. She can then ask to be referred again, but to a different endocrinologist. The fact that an endo did not test T3 seems unforgiveable. Thank you for your help and advice.

[humanbean]

How old is your daughter? Under 18 or 18+ ?

[fiftyone in reply to humanbean]

age 37

[humanbean in reply to fiftyone]

I did try her on my 25mcg for a while and she felt much better but I was reprimanded for this and so stopped.

Since your daughter is an adult she could buy Levothyroxine online if she wants to. It is legal in the UK to buy abroad and import it for her own use, with no prescription necessary.

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

She needs full testing

Anxiety is a classic hypothyroid symptom

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

ask GP to test both thyroid antibodies and vitamins

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test 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. (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)

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_...

Come back with new post once you have results and ranges

Members can advise next steps

[fiftyone in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you for your reply and all the info you have provided.

[Jazzw]

While it certainly could be a thyroid issue, I think I’d rule out low Vit B12, low folate, low Vit D and low ferritin first. Because at first glance those thyroid blood test results look reasonably normal. Of course, we all know here that it can still be thyroid related - but I reckon you’ll find she’s low in one, two, three or all of those.

I’d go with some Medichecks/Blue Horizon blood tests in the first instance, to see what that reveals.