Diagnosed fibromyalgia

[Black789]

For the past few years I've been accumulating health problems (sore wrists, muscle weakness, dry eyes, swollen, cracked & coated tongue, fatigue, acid reflux, burning mouth, memory issues etc). Last year I went to my GP & had tests done only to be told it was all anxiety related. Symptoms kept getting worse so I returned for more tests, convinced I have a thyroid issue & asked for thyroid tests specifically. Went to receive my results this morning & the doctor says everything is good, thyroid results are missing but they were fine last year & that all my symptoms point towards fibromyalgia. My TSH was 4.3 last year. Wondering if it's worth ordering thyroid testing from Medichecks? I'm a bit lost now.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Black789

the doctor says everything is good, thyroid results are missing but they were fine last year & that all my symptoms point towards fibromyalgia

Well, that's not a lot of good! Ask for a print out of your results (don't accept verbal or written results, make sure it's a print out with results and reference ranges). If the thyroid test results aren't sent from the lab, then ask for them to be tested again. Last year's "fine" results are not appropriate now.

Or you could do a Medichecks or Blue Horizon test, and if you do then I'd go for the full thyoid panel plus all vitamins/minerals, ie Medichecks Thyroid Check UltraVit or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus Eleven.

Make sure that you do your test as early as possible in the morning, no later than 9am, and delay breakfast until after the test, also drink only water until after the test. Eating can lower TSH and you need it as high as possible for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, coffee can also affect TSH.

[Black789 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi Seaside Susie, thank you very much for taking the time to respond. I will order the thyroid check from Medichecks and hopefully it will shed some light on what is going on.

[humanbean in reply to Black789]

There is a money off code you can use for Medichecks :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

And for more info on private testing generally :

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

[Black789 in reply to humanbean]

Darn it, you know I actually Googled for a code, couldn't find one so went ahead & ordered. Thanks anyway humanbean, for both the links, much appreciated!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

A TSH above 3 would be considered hypothyroid in many other countries

Median TSH graph

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Make sure to do any thyroid blood test as early as possible in morning and fasting, this gives highest TSH.

TSH daily variation

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Fibromyalgia is often due to low FT3

Essential to test both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Low vitamin levels are extremely common especially with high antibodies

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges

[Black789 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your reply & all the helpful information, Slow Dragon. I seem to be in the lower percentile of the graph. Well, judging from last years testing. l only had TSH & T4 tested so am hoping FT3 result will paint a more accurate picture I can take to the doctor.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Black789]

High thyroid antibodies can cause significant symptoms too

[annnsandell]

Does anyone else out there think that fibromyalgia, ME and IBS are not a proper diagnosis but a term used when they don't know or can't be bothered to find out? I would be interested in other people's opinions.

[Black789 in reply to annnsandell]

Yes, my mother was diagnosed with IBS with no testing whatsoever. It's frustrating how easily they give up, and hand out medication that at best does nothing but mask the symptoms.

[Black789]

Thanks for that, it's reassuring to know they are not always right with their diagnoses & you're not imagining it. I will bring it up at my next appointment & see what he says. You end up feeling like a nuisance to them but better trying to figure out your own health issues than being told to either live with it or go on antidepressants.