Concerning problem

[5219]

I have a thyroid condition am on 100mg levothyroxine. For a while now have had shortness of breath palpitations & constantly having to clear my throat. Are these related to thyroid condition?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes they all can be due to under medication

When was Thyroid level last tested

So do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies. You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can no longer charge for printing out, rules changed after May 25th 2018

Can you add most recent results and ranges for TSH, FT3 and FT4, plus have you also had TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested

Also extremely helpful if had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested. Add results and ranges if you have them

[5219 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have only ever had a TSH at the GPs surgery and am always told they are in Range. The range is quite wide in my opinion. I never seem to get a straight answer from my GP or my endocrinologist. The shortness of breath is quite distressing at times and the clearing of throat annoying. I will get my blood results from my GP and also get some private blood tests done.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to 5219]

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

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. 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_...

[5219 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your help and information. Will get this sorted

[trelemorele]

Unfortunately constant clearing of throat is a very common problem with thyroid patients.

I (and lots other people I read about) have it and I'm not sure if this is due to antibodies activities or swelling of the thyroid itself and pressure it creates - I have slight goiter.

It sometimes goes on its own for a while and then comes back for a while and cycle repeats.

But I had it in both - when I was hyper and hypo - so I don't think.level of hormones cause it.

[5219 in reply to trelemorele]

Thank you for reply. We do have to put up with a lot of symptoms don’t we? Some worse than others. It’s so annoying that most we just have to live with.

[trelemorele in reply to 5219]

What I find most annoying is that medical professionals don't know about most of the symptoms and you learn through out the years from people with your condition that you're not the only one, you're not crazy, others report/notice the same but didn't know it's connected or stems from that condition.

[5219]

I have acquired printouts of my blood tests from my Gp.

19th August 2017

Serum free T3 level 13.8 pmol/L [9-19]

Serum TSH level 2.7 miu/L [0.35-4.94]

14th September 2018

Serum TSH level 1.5 miu/L [0.35-4.94]