I’m seeing the doctor this afternoon about possible B12 deficiency symptoms. Any advice on how to approach this with the doctor would be really appreciated.
Brief history: I’m 36, mum of 3 boys. I’ve got an under active thyroid, my dose at moment is 75mcg levothyroxine daily, this (I’m told) is keeping my bloods in “normal range” and my vit D is low unless I take a supplement. But honestly I’ve never felt well since being diagnosed 4/5 years ago. Aside from the first 3 months following diagnosis when my dose was 50mcg, my treatment has never been altered from 75mcg. I also have Poly Cystic Ovaries, which may or may not be relevant (done with babies so not a health issue I worry over).
I am struggling a great deal, so much so that I recently needed 10weeks sick leave for depression. I have never had a day off for anything, I don’t get colds or bugs so I have a great sick record until this year. I am on sertraline 50mg to help with the depression symptoms, and attending counselling.
I am exhausted. I sleep well at night, granted my children have me up around 6am, but I am so tired. I’m constantly yawning. My eyes are heavy, if I sit quietly I feel myself drifting off.
I can’t remember too well anymore. I have always had a great memory (one of those irritating people who retain everything but do well in a game of Logo!) but it’s not there at the moment. I drive somewhere I’ve been to before and it’s unfamiliar, I can’t remember the route anymore, I have to take it literally one road at the time. I’m having phases of zoning out, even when I’m busy in work. I can’t seem to say what I want to, I mean to say one thing and something else is said.
I’m getting occasional sores on my tongue, which I hadn’t worried about but I read it could be a symptom of B12 deficiency.
I get occasional dead leg feelings, one leg will feel heavy, limp and difficult to bear weight on. Leg affected varies from left to right. I’m also getting bruises on my legs, arms and stomach which are small but I’m not sure where from.
Also experiencing racing heart, dizziness and some nausea, trembling of hands.
Sorry for the epically long post, but if anyone has anything they can offer before I sit with the GP so I can attempt to have a good discussion with him, it would be greatly appreciated. Last time I saw a GP I just couldn’t remember what I wanted to tell him, he did basic bloods and an ecg (which was all normal).
Thank you xx
Written by
samimanf83
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Sounds very much like you're under-medicated. But, the only way to tell if you are, or if you have a B12 deficiency, is to get hold of your blood test results to see exactly what has been tested, and what the results are. If you live in the UK, it is your legal right to have a print-out.
Doctors won't automatically test everything that is necessary to test - too expensive! - and they probably wouldn't understand all the results, anyway. If your doctor is just testing the TSH, then he has no idea what he's doing. The tests you need are:
TSH
FT4
FT3
TPO antibodies
Tg antibodies
vit D
vit B12
folate
ferritin
But it is highly unlikely that you will get all these on the NHS. However, you could have them done privately, if you're interested, without any intervention from a doctor.
In the meantime, ring your surgery and ask the receptionist to print-out your last few blood test results, and you'll pick them up at her convenience. Then, you can post them on here and people will explain them to you.
Do you have recent blood test results and ranges you can add?
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 or if under medicated on too small dose of Levothyroxine
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)
Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
Is this how you do your tests?
Ask GP to test vitamins and thyroid antibodies if not been tested
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
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
Medichecks currently have an offer on until end of May - 20% off
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 .
NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine. Also what foods to avoid (note recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours away from Levo)
The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH under one) and FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range
All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels
For most people: 50–100 micrograms once daily, preferably taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast, caffeine-containing liquids (such as coffee or tea), or other drugs.
This should be adjusted in increments of 25–50 micrograms every 3–4 weeks according to response. The usual maintenance dose is 100–200 micrograms once daily.
Thank you for the replies, helped a lot when I saw doctor. He was really understanding, and has booked me for some more bloods. This time he’s checking t3 t4 b12 thyroid *p-something antibodies, (I was paying attention but I can’t remember much of it today), folate ferritin. My vit D was 28, range 50-250.
I did have my thyroid checked in Apr this year but those results are missing from my app, these are my previous TSH levels.
2.32 (Oct 2018)
2.08 (Sep 2016)
1.65 (Sep 2015)
1.44 (Jun 2015)
1.65 (Mar 2015)
1.52 (Dec 2014)
I've been on 75mcg daily the whole time from Oct 2014.
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