Suspected Thyroid problem

[Krystykal]

Hey guys,

I'm new here and a 33 year old single mother of three. My eldest is 12 and the youngest is 2. This site was recommended by a friend.

After having my daughter in 2016, I ballooned from a size 10/12 and about 11stone 6 to a size 22 and almost 18 stone. This happened a couple of months after she was born - I have photos a month after she was born in my usual clothes.

I have spent the last 2 1/2 years gradually feeling worse in myself. Emotionally, I'm up and down and get a bit of anxiety. I don't sleep well, I feel cold all the time. I'm struggling to lose weight no matter what I try. I ache, I get cramps and migraines. My eyes hurt and I'm always tired. More recently, I've noticed hair loss and now my eyebrows are almost non existent. I've suffered with low iron throughout my life and have always had unusual periods - heavy, irregular, random spotting. I suspected a Thyroid problem 18 months ago, but tests came back 'normal'. Then December last year I was re-tested , but 'normal'. Then a couple of weeks ago, normal. I was told by my GP that stress and obesity can cause my symptoms and that I should exercise more and eat less. In her words; ' I see lots of people in my office and without wanting to sound horrible, they're kidding themselves. Usually there's nothing wrong it's just in their head and an excuse.'. I had to physically ask for blood tests - she said if it gives me the 'boost you need to make lifestyle changes' then fine. Last time I was told health symptoms were in my head, I'd had a normal smear in Jan 2013 and by August 2013 it was CIN4 and urgent treatment required. I had to demand referrals then, too.

My recent results are photographed as I'm not sure which parts are most relevant. My GP said something along the lines of Thyroid antibodies test isn't necessary.

Thyroid Function (FT4) 12.5 pmol/L normal range 11.0-22.0

TSH 1.11 mlU/L normal range 0.27-4.20

Ferritin 16.6 Ng/mL 13.0 -150.0

He said all other results were irrelevant, but there are 3 with an asterisk

Mean cell haemoglobin 25.5 (below range)

RDW 17.1 (above range)

Lymphocytes 4.09 (above range)q

Full results in image.

I've checked symptoms on the Thyroid UK site checklist and aside from about 7 things I can tick them all. Again my GP says stress can cause most. I understand his point, but I do seriously feel like there's an underlying cause. My paternal grandmother had an underactive thyroid then thyroid cancer. My dad's medical history, I'm not 100% clued up on, but he said once he had an endocrine issue and produces too much adrenaline.

I eat a pretty balanced diet, I exercise 4 days a week and run around after 3kids. I work full time, I'm not idle. I am consciously going to start tracking my calories now as I'm just being made to feel like an overindulgent lazy slob. I am 5'7" tall (about 170cm I think). And weigh around 16stone/ 101kg. I attend weight watchers, I work out at home (HIIT) and in a gym when I can get there. I walk more, I opt to take the stairs... I'm making small conscious efforts on top of the bigger efforts and I am just sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. Any ideas or feedback would be great, because I still feel like I have a Thyroid issue.

Thanks xx

[greygoose]

Well, I think your GP does sound horrible - and ignorant! But, they all do it! When they have no idea what's wrong with you, they blame you. Got to be your fault. Pinning their own inadequacies on the patient. But, don't get me started on doctors! lol

As for your results, the thyroid related ones are the TSH - which is fine, but pretty meaningless on its own - and the FT4, which is slightly on the low side. But, these two results are not enough. She's totally wrong about the antibody results, they are very, very important. And, once again, she's just displaying her ignorance. FT3 is also extremely important, too. I do suspect that the reason they refuse to do the most important test is because if they did them, they'd have to diagnose too many people!

So, what I would suggest is you get all the relevant tests done privately, if you can afford it:

TSH

FT4

FT3.

TPO antibodies

Tg antibodies

vit D

vit B12

folate

ferritin

That will give you a clearer idea what is going on.

In the meantime, I would also suggest you stop exercising so much - as you've found out, it doesn't make you lose the weight - and ditch Weight Watchers - that doesn't work long-term, either, and can leave you with nutritional deficiencies, and affect your thyroid function. I'm sure you know how to eat without them. Plenty of fresh food - protein, fat, fruit and veg; some carbs, and don't skimp on the salt. Stop counting calories, it's totally artificial. And, stop blaming yourself.

[Krystykal in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for your reply. I'll be making a note of key information. 😊

[greygoose in reply to Krystykal]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Is there another GP you can see?

For a start your ferritin is very low and the iron panel test shows low iron I think

SeasideSusie might add a comment. I am not good on iron results

So your GP should be treating you for Anaemia by prescribing ferrous fumerate or possibly an iron infusion

Thyroid results

Your FT4 result is right at the bottom of the range and should be nearer the top

But your TSH is low - which is all ignorant GP looked at

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

See a different GP and request that thyroid antibodies are tested because there is strong genetic link to close family members having autoimmune Thyroid disease

Also request vitamin D, folate and B12 are tested as these are very often too low, especially if you have high thyroid antibodies

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, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

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_...

[Krystykal in reply to SlowDragon]

I've already seen two at the surgery with identical outcomes. You've given some useful information so I'll be putting notes together based on the replies I get and will be considering private testing now. Thanks 😊

[Krystykal]

Thank you for your reply - I'll have a look now 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your Mean cell haemaglobin is below range - suggesting Anaemia

healthline.com/health/low-mchc

RDW above range- also linked to Anaemia

healthline.com/health/rdw-b...

[Krystykal in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I kind of figured that I have anaemia, but when I said to my GP they said 'well your ferritin levels are within normal range but I'll give you iron tablets if you want'. Really reassuring. I've had enough of feeling like a zombie 😪

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Krystykal]

FFS.....its 3 points above bottom of range

What was prescribed?

Ferrous fumerate 2 or 3 times per day?

Taking each tablet with vitamin C can help improve absorption of iron

Eating liver or liver pate once a week, and/of other iron rich foods, especially alongside extra vitamin C can help to

[Krystykal in reply to SlowDragon]

I know! I've got a history of heavy periods, exhaustion and the like. I've had iron tablets a lot. I had to fight to get just the photographed tests done - the Dr didn't even want to check my iron levels so I had to ask for it - to give me peace of mind that nothing is wrong with me and it's all in my head and I can make lifestyle changes. I've got a relatively iron rich diet but I'll definitely look to improving it. I keep saying that I feel something more is going on. Obviously I'm no Doctor, but I know my body and how I feel, what I'm eating etc.

They prescribed 210mg ferrous fumerate 3 times per day. Again, just to shut me up. 😑🙄😪

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Krystykal]

Heavy periods are classic symptom of hypothyroidism

[Krystykal in reply to SlowDragon]

I have done the checklist on the Thyroid UK website. Most symptoms apply. I have been prescribed Gabapentin for my migraines. I'd upload the list but can't add more photos.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Krystykal]

Then you need to seriously consider getting full Thyroid and vitamin testing privately.

Thousands on here forced to do this in order to get diagnosed in

[MiniMum97 in reply to Krystykal]

Please take them. Anaemia and even just low ferritin (below 50) can cause quite debilitating symptoms (but doesn’t explain the weight gain)