Doctor unsure what to do

[67ljr]

I’ve had under active thyroid diagnosed for about 5 years. I’ve started to experience very low heart rate but only intermittently. I feel exhausted constantly, have very low mood, frequent headaches, jitters and anxiety.

I’ve just had a normal ECG and scan, blood tests show I’m in the normal range and currently taking 125mg thyroxine.

GP wants to put me on a 7 day heart monitor but im sure my symptoms aren’t heart related.

Any pearls of wisdom?

Thanks in advance x

[humanbean]

Very low heart rate is known as bradycardia. It is a known effect of hypothyroidism. It suggests that, although you've been told your blood tests are in range, they are not optimal for you. I would suspect you are under-medicated.

The first thing you should do is ask for copies of any blood tests you have had over the last year or two. You are entitled to them by law in the UK. You don't need to see a doctor, you should get them from the receptionists. Take proof of identity with you. If they say they can't print out the results when you go, don't argue, just say, "Okay, I'll come in to pick them up tomorrow".

Another alternative is that you ask for online access to your medical records, including your blood test results.

Once you have copies of your results you could write them into a new post and ask for feedback. Make sure you don't include any identifiable information about yourself.

[67ljr in reply to humanbean]

Thank you I’ll go in tomorrow, x

[Treepie in reply to 67ljr]

You may need ID to get online access which should be available but not all Practices have gone online and those that have may restrict what is available.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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.

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

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested? If not ask GP to test thyroid antibodies and vitamin levels

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?

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

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 most important are that 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 eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also note what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours away from Levo)

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges...or add them here if you have them already

Getting vitamins optimal is essential

Frequently GP only tests TSH which is completely inadequate

[Aurealis]

What is your GPs plan for your other symptoms? No doubt there will be a very long wait for a 7 day heart monitor. It was suggested for me some years back and I haven’t reached the top of the list yet. Other replies give good advice. Once you’ve had a test done you could nudge your dose up slightly by 25mcg and see if you feel any better. If you feel worse then revert to current dose. Trial and error dosing...