(Uk resident, 47, female. 1/2 a thyroid since 2015.)
I'm seeing the Doc in Nov (after a long period of not being able to get a simple appointment) and I need to ask some questions.
Background is I had a partial thyroidecomy in 2015 when I had a "benign tumour" removed that was causing a problem with my swallowing. Since then i've been asking for regular Thyroid tests- but now i have access to my records online i find they only go back to 2016 and only with TSH and T4.
Figures are interesting though:
Aug 2016 TSH 5.9 miu/L (0.35-4.5) T4 13.9 pmol/L (10.5-26)
Feb 2017 TSH 3.9 miu/L (0.35-4.94) T4 11.9 pmol/L (9-19)
I've got other problems- Asthmatic, Mild Colitis (under control) PCOS (on Depro at the moment) Overweight (trying to lose weight) and high levels of Platelets (been told not to worry so long as the figure isn't over 500) and I'm 47- the menopause must be around the corner.
But i'm tired- afternoons I can be half asleep at the desk, I can flake out in the evenings and have trouble sleeping at night. Temperature wise i can be very hot or very cold (blankets and jumpers and that's when the room temp is 23C). I've got muscular-skeletal problems with my left hip, sciatica, and left shoulder being worst. My skin seems to have permanent rashes on my upper arms and legs (itchy too) I've always had acne, but the flare ups are getting worse not better. I've been struggling for words, and sometimes getting problems thinking (brain fog?) Heart Palpitations and chest pain have been happening in the last year and that's not what I expected from the menopause..... hence my looking at my thyroid with a suspicious eye again.
I need to talk to the Doc about all this and why the surgery is worried about my liver instead of my Thyroid. (they keep saying my liver is fine- I only have half a thyroid) I was referred to an ENT doc in 2015 instead of a endocrinologist. Should i ask for a referral to someone who specialises in thyroid problems?
Never been on any Thyroid meds so all the variations above are entirely my own body.... Fun uh?
So any advice folks? If you can suggest questions I should be asking would be much appreciated.
Written by
Mariu
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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
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 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 .
Come back with new post once you have full test results and ranges
I don't know enough to be certain about some of this but will try. Hopefully some of the experts can help further.
Most of the symptoms you describe (including the flushes) seem consistent with hypothyroidism - which is common after removal of part of the thyroid. My worst symptom has been "Brain fog", clumsiness and problems with fine motor control (as when typing) and decrease in ability to concentrate which can be fairly sudden. I also had occasional bouts of breathlessness and a few episodes of palpitations. Feeling cold (or hot) and dry, rough and flaky skin are common symptoms, which could explain the rashes. Some people also get muscle weakness, pain and cramp, digestive problems. And umpteen other things.
Your March TSH seems still too high and the T4 is probably not high enough - within range or not. Apparently TSH varies a lot anyway, and is affected by time of day and if you have eaten or not. Early in the morning and fasting (except for water) is apparently the best time, but don't tell the doctors as it's not an official guideline! You should have been tested for T3 as well, as that is the active hormone. Were you tested for FREE T4?
That's all I can think of for now, hope you get the help and advice you need xx
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