Breaking down gradually!

[Angelinaoil81]

I was told I had under active thyroid back in 2014....told I didn't in 2017 and just told I do again 🙈

In also b12 deficient but not anemic.I have fibromyalgia...but could all these conditions be linked??

[shaws Administrator]

Fibro can definitely be connected to hypothyroidism - I doubt the medical profession are aware of that in these days of blood tests alone for diagnosing problems.

From the following archived link (Dr Lowe died through an accident) he also ran the Fibromyalgia Research Foundation - click on the relevent articles.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

Re B12 - doctor should check your 'intrinsic factor' which excludes Pernicious Anaemia. Many people who have one autoimmune condition can develop others. Doctor should also check B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

The problem with confirming hypothyroidism - which used to be diagnosed by our clinical symptoms alone and we were given a trial of NDT and if we improved we were hypo. In these 'modern times' doctors' skills are now obsolete in that they diagnose upon a blood test alone - they don't know any clinical symptoms and 'symptoms' in the past was how we were diagnosed and given a trial of NDT. If we improved we were hypo.

All blood tests for thyroid hormones have to be at the earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and if taking thyroid hormones allow a 24 hour gap between last dose and test and take afterwards.

GP wont do all of the following but you can get a private blood test through one of the recommended labs who will do:-

TSH,T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.'.

Doctor should test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. Everything has to be 'optimal'.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges for your own records.

You can also read the 'a suggested gift to the doctor' on the pinned posts on the r/hand side of this page.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

do you have any actual blood test results?

if not it's very good idea 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

You should have 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

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_...

Have you been prescribed 50mcg Levothyroxine from GP?

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change in Levothyroxine. Dose is increased in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range. Vitamins need to be optimal too.

[silverfox7]

Were you still taking thyroid meds when you were told you no longer had an underactive Thyroid? If you were still on medication then it would still be supporting you and if you when stopped because your doctor no longer thought you needed it then that is why your symptoms came back again! You aren't the only person who have been made to suffer in this way!

[Angelinaoil81 in reply to silverfox7]

Never put me on meds!! Still haven't. ..I have moved alot...but they claim I show no symptoms?!