Hi there. Im hoping someone can help me.
Ive been borderline on my Thyroid tests for years. Dr wont give me Thyroxine. even for a trial. but will readily prescribe anti depressants and pain killers like sweets. I am being treated for Fibromyalgia. ive had it for years. all my symptoms mimic thyroid problems.
I have had recent Thyroid test so will post latest levels asap.
my last test was T4 level 9.7
TSH 0.99
I would be grateful for any advice.
Thanks
Just testing TSH and FT4 is completely inadequate
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
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Ask GP to test vitamins and thyroid antibodies
Or
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
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 .
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_...
Fibromyalgia frequently linked to Hashimoto's or thyroid hormone conversion issues
I am the other way round: first diagnosed 14 years ago with diabetes, within two years hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s...and two years ago fibromyalgia. So I know the conditions are inter- related , and going down Dr. Lowe’s route that my fibromyalgia is undertreated hypothyroidism. But as Slowdragon has pointed out you need a full thyroid test with FT4, FT3( the active hormone you might be short of), TSH, total thyroxine, 2 autoimmune antibody tests ( TPO and TgAb), and ideally folate, ferritin, b12 and vit D. Many of us resort to private labs like Medichecks ( often have special offers on Thursday) or Blue Horizon.
He’s reluctant to prescribe levo because of your low tsh. However, the t4 value seems low, so although you could do more testing yourself as suggested by SlowDragon, in the meantime could you give us the ranges for your doctor’s tests. Eg tsh 0.99(0.1-4.5), t4 9.7(9-22). This will help someone on here possibly guide you in the meantime. You can get the ranges by ringing the surgery.
It seems the ranges for Thyroid testing was changed in 2018 to
TSH range from 0.4 - 4.15
T4 free range from 9 - 25
why do they keep changing the boundaries?
I am determined to have further tests. which will be more indepth. and may reveal whats wrong.
Did he tell you why he won't put you on Thyroxine as I was borderline & I got put on 100mcg at 1st then went to 50mcg slowly without doctors catching on but settled at 75mcg, I' have my next blood test soon & wonder what that will say.
Do you have any annoying symptoms?
Well i have Fibromyalgia and that seems to have all the symptoms of Thyroid issues, I keep telling my Dr I think my Thyroid is underactive, they reply well your bloods came back fine, within the boundaries, Dr thinks its all to do with my Fibromyalgia.
Interestingly I went to Dietician to help with controllong my blood sugar. Whèn i told him my symptoms and said i had Fibromyalgia, he said I can tell you know you have subclinical hypothyroidism, you need to get bloods done privately, ive no idea where to go for them., has anyone got any ideas please?
Thamks
I was borderline on my thyroid for years and was only put on meds in 2006 after birth of my 1st child, i recently had full printout of every thyroid test my doct surgery ever did and im shocked as my tsh was over range a few times yet i was never put on meds, i now wonder if my thyroid was to blame for miscarriages i suffered before my daughter, im not in uk but someone will give you advice on private testing, i also had a doct try tell me i had fibromayalga.
Do I have an underactive thyroid?
All symptoms of under active thyroid but ‘normal’ blood test
Confused symptoms of low B12 or borderline underactive thyroid.
