I have been experiencing underactive thyroid symptoms (hair loss, fatigue, dry skin, weight gain, sensitivity to light and heat/cold intolerance) for over the last four years after hitting the back of my head, my pituary gland. I have not had any treatment for my thyroid as my TSH blood results is always in range and therefore I am healthy despite my presenting symptoms. Since mid September I have now been experiencing worse symptoms where my body feels cold and cannot heat up my feet even with thermal socks and under a duvet. I am experiencing chest/arm/neck pains and light headedness. I had a heart angiogram to check if it was my heart but that's perfectly healthy. Everytime I try to do anything my head is light headed, vision can be impaired, headaches at the front of my head and face. Struggling to think clearly and incredibly weak. Sometimes numbness in hand and feet. No appetite, never feel full. Starting to lose weight. I just don't seem to be able to function at all. I'm of the opinion, that my thyroid has hit rock bottom and facing myxoedema but my TSH is in range therefore all doctors think its stress! I don't have the same opinion.
Don't know what to do or where to turn... please help
Many thanks. Jo
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When you say 'all doctors', who have you seen? Just GPs? Or an endo? Have you discussed a possible pituitary problem with them? We call it Secondary Hypothyroidism. A GP wouldn't know anything about that, but an endo should do, and test the FT4 and FT3.
If you cannot get a referral to an endo, or see a private endo without a referral, perhaps it would be a good idea to get private labs done. You'll find details of private labs here:
First thing is, 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 thyroid antibodies tested
Also helpful if had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested. Add results and ranges if you have them
Low vitamin levels are EXTREMELY common and need testing
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
All thyroid blood 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, not to be mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
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 .
Sorry you need to add the ranges on all these - the figures in brackets after each result
Each lab has different ranges
Apart from vitamin D which is standardised
Suggest you also put this on a new post so others can see it
Vitamin D is too low. But not low enough for GP to prescribe
Aiming to improve vitamin D to at least 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better . Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function. Suggest you supplement 1000iu for 2-3 months and retest.
It's trial and error what dose each person needs.
Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.
Literally thousands on here forced to test privately to get everything tested
All thyroid blood 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, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
is this how you did this test?
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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
As you are loosing weight you need coeliac blood test before trying absolutely strictly gluten free diet.....especially if antibodies are raised
Hi dear. Your symptoms sound unbearable!! I agree with others in making sure the right tests are performed. So highly important to getting a proper diagnosis. And with your symptoms there's no errors needed!
In March of this year I was admitted to the hospital for myxodema. Very similar symptoms... To what everyone has experienced. I'm only mentioning this to bring light on how important it is to care for our thyroid!! Never give up hope... Thyroid strong!! Luvs
Thanks for all your comments but I have seen so many endocrinologist privately and had many bloods taken and told that my thyroid is fine.
My body is now shutting down, blood pressure dropping when i do anything. Light headed, severe chest pains and palpitations doing anything, and now weight falling off me as my stomach is now compromised. And feet won’t warm up at all and they say it’s stress! I’m not stressed, they won’t accept it could be myxodema. Nothing more I can do...
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