He did ask her how she felt - no better, not motivated and not been back to school since Christmas - I can't get her up in the morning and she's not working for her A-levels as she would be if she felt better. I asked what her levels were and then said that Thyroid UK said that they should be below 1 but he would not increase her dose because she could go the other way and it could cause her problems with Osteoporosis in the future. He was asking what she used to do and we'd forgotten that she used to dive 2-3 times a week and swim at least once a week - now she does nothing. He has asked her to do a urine test but we haven't got a date for another blood test. I nearly cried with frustration explaining that she is just not functioning.
He has referred her to an Endocrinologist - we have the choice of Chase Farm, Guys & St Thomas's, Guy's, North Middlesex & Whipps Cross (we are nearest Whipps Cross but can get to any of them) does anybody have any experience of these clinics before I pick one out of the hat?
My daughter said at least he did 2 things and maybe I will get better, but I am struggling (again) with the waiting...
Any advice super gratefully received.
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StrugglingMum
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As you know, her TSH is too high, and her FT4 is too low - it is just below midway in range and most of us find it really needs to be in the upper half when on Levothyroxine, to feel well. However, what's missing is her FT3 level, and as the active thyroid hormone, it directly affects metabolism and its' level is therefore key to feeling well. You may have to go down the route of having a set of private tests carried out, as so many of us do.
Just a point about referral to any specialist, including an Endo, you can chose wherever in the country that you want to be referred to (subject to them having that specialism of course), and aren't limited to your area. Given the paucity of thyroid-knowledgeable Endos, it may be better to see one that's expert in the thyroid, rather than see one just because he's local.
Thanks MaisieGray - I’m just a bit stuck as to what my next best course of action is... happy to go to any Endo just wondered where the best one might be? It’s difficult to tell whether they specialise in thyroid from the nhs website.
Have you obtained the ThyroidUK list of patient-recommended Endos? If not, email Dionne at tukadmin@thyroiduk.org, and then if there's any you like the sound of, you can post again, asking for feedback by pm, on that/those particular Dr(s).
You can, if you wish, get a private test from one of the recommended labs. They do home pin-prick tests and tests for thyroid hormones always have to be at the very earliest, fasting (she can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between the last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards. This keeps the TSH at its highest as that is what many doctors seem to rely upon when they make a decision.
If you decide to do this - make sure she is well-hydrated a couple of days before and that hand/arms are warm while doing the blood draw.
A Full Thyroid Function Test, is TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.
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Blood test results :)
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Blood test results - advice please
test results, any advice please .
