Help! Been feeling awful since beginning of the year. Exhausted, nausea, muscle aches and pains, weight gain, thinning hair, brain fog, depression etc.
Went to see Doc and he ordered blood tests. Came back as underactive thyroid, he gave me no details and I had to ask what the reading was and what it should be (I know absolutely nothing about Thyroid disease). All he told me is that it's 11.6 and should be 12.
I've been on 50mcg of Levothyroxine for 6 weeks and still feel awful, it's affecting my everyday life and my work. I went back today to see if he would order another blood test to see what's happening but he refused. He said I have to wait 6 months for a re test as it won't be accurate.
I would like to know why I have an underactive thyroid e.g. immune system related? Hashimoto's? Surely this would help with prescribing correct medication? I'm so confused and I feel like I've just been left to get on with it, the doctor really doesn't seem that interested.
What should I do next? I want a more comprehensive test, is it worth purchasing one to do at home? Do I really have to wait 6 months to be retested? I've already struggled for nearly 5 months.
HELP!
Written by
IAAK
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First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies. You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Recommended that bloods are done 6-8 weeks after each dose increase
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
See different GP and request Thyroid is retested now along with thyroid antibodies and vitamins
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).
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 .
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
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)
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.
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