Hi, I’m new to this and unsure if I’m even using the site properly 😳
I’m looking for advice.
I was diagnosed with Hashimotos when I was 19. It’s been relatively stable over the past 20 years and I take 175mcg daily. I’ve always taken it in the evening. I’ve always pretty much been healthy and well so in comparison to others stories I have been relatively unscathed. Until now.
I have no idea if my current symptoms are even related to my Thyroid although I suspect it is. Many symptoms have crept up over the last year, most notably, anxiety, palpitation, not sleeping, irritability and upper limb weakness and pain. I had a recent MRI scan and my consultant is querying MS. I don’t think I have MS. Over the last month I have gained 2 stone despite eating well and working out. I’ve never been thin but I have been (dare I say it) average weight. I’m embarrassed to say that the weight gain is the only thing that made me query my thyroid as being the culprit for everything else.
There is nothing significant wrong with me I just feel off. Not quite myself.
I have yearly blood tests and they’re always normal.
I’ve never seen my consultant aside from that one time when I was 19 (20 years ago)
I’ve never asked fOr a breakdown of my blood work as I’ve always just taken my meds and gotten on with it but currently, I feel the need to do my own research and it seems I need to have a chat with my GP. Now, like most of you, I feel it would be easier to arrange dinner date fOr myself and George clooney than it would be to get even a 2 minute chat with a GP at my surgery.
They don’t do routine appointments. Only emergency appointments on the day. This is not an emergency although it’s fear that further delay would result in gaining around 16 stone over the next few months.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
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AnnieB80
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Could you speak to the receptionist and get your blood test results. Normal means... Politely... Not a lot 🙂 You need to get them and pop them on here on a new post. The other option is to get private blood tests via Thyroid UK and get a better picture if what is or isn't going on. £79 - £99 gives the best tests including antibodies, vitamin b12, folate, ferritin, vitamin d, all of which are usually low in thyroid sufferers. You can do it via finger prick collection, I do 🙂
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
Being within range is not good enough. TSH should be around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range
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
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised
All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 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
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 you are based in the U.K., get copies of your blood test results after Christmas, either by getting online access to results or printed copies
Come back with new post with the results and ranges and members can advise on next step
Literally thousands on here forced to test privately to get full array of vitamins and thyroid blood tests
It's very common for Levothyroxine (FT4) conversion to FT3 to get worse with time and especially after menopause
Low vitamins are extremely common, especially with Hashimoto's
Read up as much as possible about Hashimoto's, its complex, often with hidden food intolerances
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first, just to rule it out
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