Over the past few years I have experienced worsening underactive thyroid symptoms. I have these results:
2016 TSH 2.2 and T4 11.2
2017 TSH 3.2 and T4 12.2
I was told all was fine and perhaps I was depressed. Since then things have got slowly worse. I'm exhausted. Just all the time. My once glorious hair has dwindled to fine flat mess and I've lost most of my eyebrows.
I paid for a test with medichecks and my results were TSH 4.36, T4 12.1.
Is this worth going back to the GPS or are they just going to tell me I'm depressed again.
Perhaps I should also note my mum and brother have an underactive thyroid - think my brother's was instrumental in him having a heart attack at 42 due to high cholesterol. I also have quite severe psoriasis which I'm told can be linked.
Thank you!
Written by
Mandtmummy
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Have you any more results? Was TPO tested for example? Were FreeT3 and Free T4 included in the private test?
Full information on results is really needed, so that members can make informed comment.
So could you please add in the ranges in brackets alongside each result. Also were there any comments written by the lab?
Did you have any nutrients levels tested? Ask GP to test:
Vitamin D (especially - probably defficient)
B12
Folate
and Ferritin
--------------------
Do you know if your Mum and Brother ever had any Antibodies tested? If they have Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis? Has either ever had an Ultrasound scan of their Thyroid?
You have symptoms, so I would write a list of all of them seen GP and ask for a referal to an Endocrinologist. Show GP your private result if you wish. If GP refuses referal then ask for all the Thyroid tests: Free T3, FreeT4, T4, TSH , TPO and Tg plus the above nutrients levels. Also ask for an Ultrasound scan of your Thyroid.
Are you under any Consultant with the Psoriasis? Ask him/her to refer you to an Endocrinologist?
Make sure you get Adrenals checked out before starting on Levothyroxine.
Why should you have to pay. You have a number of symptoms. If you get a referal to an Endocrinologist they should do all the tests. Though you might be waiting a long time for an appointment.
I would try the GP and take written lists in with you. You can list all the tests you want - might not get all. Try & get Thyroid Antibodies tested say something like 'as I have many symptoms of Hypothyroidism, I'd like to eliminate Autoimmune Thyroiditis'.
Ask for the scan.
After all, you already have a diagnosis of one Autoimmune Disease. AND two close family members are diagnosed Hypo.
Your TSH is HIGH - above range. Your T4 extremely low in range - at the bottom. Your T3 is OK but you really need FreeT3 testing. I don't do private tests but am surprised to see this is a Medichecks test.
All the evidence so far points to Hypothyroidism - but the main thing is that you are suffering symptoms - and have been long term.
You have a right to be investigated, diagnosed and treated.
Keep fighting.
The worst the GP can do is say 'no'. If that happens make another appoinment till a GP does something.
I edited my first reply , so not sure if you've seen all.
I was where you are now, thanks to this site I'm now moving out of the cul de sac of incompetence. If you doctor isn't listening to you now, I doubt any " outside " blood tests will change the attitude and suggest that maybe a different doctor might be worth a go before you feel you have to go outside the system for blood tests.
You're in the right place, read all you can so you are able to question the dogma that some medical professionals recite, having not engaged their brains, preferring the script on the computer.
P.S. Maybe had I not had my eyebrows fully tattooed - my story may have been different - it's true, the tattoo is almost washed off now, had it done some 10 years ago.
If you add lab ranges to your blood test results we'll be able to help interpret them. Have you had antibodies tested, TPO and TgAb? If these are raised you may have a better case to present to your GP. You could ask your GP to test them along with nutrient levels, ferritin, folate, B12 and Vitamin D. When you have results then post them here for help.
Isn't it strange that they state we're depressed because we go several times to them with the same complaints and they deny there's a cause.
We would fare much better if all doctors had a 'refresher course' on dysfunctions of the thyroid gland and the ones that should be at the course is all of our members here on this forum - the majority knowing more than most of doctors and endocrinologists and have managed to relieve their symptoms by self-medication.
We've had to learn the hard way that we may not recover (or don't recover) if we follow their advice and remain very symptomatic.
They are unaware that we could be very symptomatic and long before the TSH reaches 10, which for some unfathomable reason they've decided 10 is the number that dictates hypothyroidism. In other countries it is 3+.
The fact that they don't know any clinical symptoms is a backward step and symptoms should also be known by them. They should know all of them and give patients a trial of thyroid hormones - of course the dose should be increased every six weeks. They should also check antibodies. They should also read the following from an Endocrinologist who treats the Queen when she's in Scotland.
The less visits to the GP, we save the NHS monies on useless consultations. The proper dose of medication - saves money as we don't have to visit GP too often. It can also be disappointing when they prescribe anti-d's or any others if we appear to often in the surgery or treat a symptom as apart from a dysfunction of the thyroid gland. A higher cholesterol is one and unexplained another and here is a whole list:-
If you need to amend anything in your post, click the down arrow next to more and select edit or anything else that is appropriate.
One size doesn't fit all and that also goes along with thyroid hormone replacements. If T4 is not improving our health - even after increases they should also add some T3 or even revert back to prescribing NDT. One of our deceased Advisers sent them the following and despite three yearly reminders before his death, they ignored it completely. The difference is he was a Scientist/Researcher and they are not:-
There is a link at the bottom of the abstract to download the full free text in PDF format. I save articles such as these in a Health/Thyroid folder on my computer.
A great pity you didn't find us first BEFORE paying for just testing TSH and FT4
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
Most likely your Mum and brother have high antibodies due to Autoimmune Thyroid disease (Hashimoto's)
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)
If also on T3, make sure to take last dose 12 hours prior to test
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 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 .
Good morning, whilst you are waiting for an appt to see your GP and referral to an Endocrinologist, scan etc, perhaps visit findahomeopath.org or a Naturopath in your area. The CNM are a good resource. Homeopaths work holistically, which means treating the whole person and not just one thing. Good luck and I hope you find someone in the Complimentary and Alternative Medicine field who can help you.
Great advice on testing and levels, especially helpful was Slow Dragon's.
I'd also reinforce the added importance of diet, particularly going gluten free and making sure you are taking vitamin supplements as identified by your tests. Going dairy free is also recommended, personally I still have milk but without lactose or A2 milk which seems to agree with me. Good luck, you can get your life back!
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