Thyroid or not???

[Shannonf247]

Hi hope everyone is well.

I’m gonna try keep this short I’ve been having a few symptoms over the course of 4 months. Been to the doctors so many times and A&E. Symptoms headaches (constant) weight loss, feeling hot all the time, pins and needles, ringing in the ears, dizzy, rapid heartbeat soon as I stand up. Feeling weak and constantly having no energy what so ever. Had so many blood tests b12 came back 150 so that’s been treated. Mri been booked, shouldn’t be long now. One A&E Doctor is convinced it’s a thyroid problem, my aunt has a thyroid issue. Problem is my bloods came back normal so is it still possible ? As he thinks it certainly well can be. TSH level 1.3 thanks for any help!!

[greygoose]

Just testing the TSH is really not much help, it's not even a thyroid hormone, it's a pituitary hormone, and doesn't prove anything either way.

Yes, you certainly can be hypo with a low TSH, but you also need the FT4 and FT3 tested to show the whole picture - not to mention antibodies. So, this doctor really should put his money where his mouth is - as it were - and get the other tests done. Then you'll know.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Shannon

You need more than TSH testing, was anything else done?

For a full picture you need

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

A normal TSH like yours can indicate a problem, but you need FT4 at least done as well.

Your low B12 will have been causing some of the symptoms but you also need the following done

Vit D

Ferritin

Folate - which I hope was done when B12 was done.

[Shannonf247 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I’m not too sure about the other test. I definitely know that there was no antibodies test done. As for the other tests I’m not too sure. When I was looking at the computer in the doctors I seen the tsh 1.3 and her saying your thyroid is fine I’m sure that’s not the problem so I’m not 100%. Ferritin is fine and folate was 4.3. Thanks for the help

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Shannonf247]

Shannon

With a TSH of 1.3 you could still have a problem. If FT4 is very low then you could have Central Hypothyroidism (not as common as Primary Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's, which where antibodies are present). Central Hypothyroidism is where the problem lies with either the pituitary (Secondary Hypothyroidism) or the hypothalamus (Tertiary Hypothyroidsm) rather than the thyroid itself. Therefore it is essential to test FT4 before your GP can there is no problem.

Ferritin is fine - what was the result? Was it 70 or above, because below that level thyroid hormone can't work - and that's our own hormone as well as replacement hormone.

folate was 4.3 - was that in range? It is very low. If it's below range your GP should prescribe folic acid. If it is in range, albeit low, then because you are having B12 injections (presumably) or supplements, then a good B Complex containing methylfolate is necessary to balance all the B vitamins.

You also need Vit D testing, if your GP wont do it then you can get that done with a home fingerprick blood spot test from City Assays vitamindtest.org.uk/

It costs £29.

[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

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)

[Jazzw]

Looking back at your posts - it’s only been a month since you started your B12 loading doses? That’s not a long time. Have they done loading doses properly? How many doses did you have over what period? Did they establish whether it was pernicious anaemia? Although often, it can be some time before lack on intrinsic factor shows up in tests.

Given the weight loss, have you been tested for coeliac disease?

[Shannonf247 in reply to Jazzw]

I got 5 loading does 3 on week then 2 the following week. Still waiting on antibodie test results back regarding that. I’m not 100% sure if they are testing for celiac, but I am going to speak to my gp about that since it’s been in the back off my mind. I was only thinking of thyroid problems because of one doctor I didn’t even need to tell him anything he basically asked me everything I’ve been feeling and I was like WOW how do you know that? And he was saying his mother had thyroid problems and soon as he saw me that’s all he thought. I think I may need more testing giving peoples replies x