Doctors don't have any idea

[Nutty9toes]

Your story is the same as mine it's like knocking your head against a brick wall. Blood tests results are the only thing doctors are interested in ( l would add that in Europe and USA they are different and medication and help would be much better). They know nothing. I have every symptom for thyroid probs, removed 30 years ago but doc just shrugs and says blood tests are ok. I have given up and live with no quality of life on blood pressure tabs because l have put on so much weight and antidepressants to get me through the day. I wouldn't need these if l were treated correctly

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum Nutty9toes and I hope the comments and help from other members will help you to restore your normal/healthy life. First - we have to read/learn from other posts - quite a number will probably relate to your symptoms/experience.

I am assuming that when you state "symptom for thyroid probs, removed 30 years ago" that you have had your thyroid gland removed? That you have been prescribed levothyroxine alone?

If you put a little bit of background history onto your Profile (you've only put your name) it means members can read in future and not ask repeat questions about your condition.

First thing is blood tests:-

Always get the earliest possible appointment - even if it means making it weeks ahead - it must also be a fasting test (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards. Levo should always be taken on an empty stomach with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating. Food can interfere with the uptake of the hormones.

GP should also test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate if you've not had these tested recently.

Always get a print-out of your results from the surgery, with the ranges, for your own records and you can post if you have a query.

The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower (not within the ranges as most doctors believe) and B12, etc should be near the top of the ranges.

If you have no thyroid gland at all I believe you should be prescribed a T4/T3 combination although if you're in the UK they've stopped prescribing T3 due to cost. Many members source their own.

You need a Full Thyroid Function Test which is TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. There are labs that will do the whole lot for you and they are home finger pin-prick blood draw and if you decide to do so, make sure you are well-hydrated a couple of days before blood draw.

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

The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower and FT3 and FT4 within the upper part of the ranges. Rarely are the latter two tested. When on an optimum dose of thyroid hormones we should have no clinical symptoms at all:-

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