I Need Advice

[CattyCatt]

I'm in my 50s and my thyroid results went downhill after I took extra hours at work. My thyroid perox. is 10.8, tsh 6.16 and free t4 11.3.

I have problems with memory and so my gp recently put me on thyroxine but I've not got into the routine of taking it regularly yet.

I have a family history of brain bleeds and a recent mra showed an area they want to look at. They say it's a 1mm lesion. They want to do a CTA which uses iodine; I'm reluctant to get iodine pumped into me as I think it'll make the thyroiditis worse. Am I correct? Also, I don't know if a CTA would give more info anyway, especially if it's only 1mm.

Another question - do gps put you on thyoxine without referring you to endocrinology? I've calcifications in brain than can be associated with hypoparathyroidism.

Can anyone advise re the iodine question (main query)?

[Greekchick]

Hi CattyCat,

You can ask them to use a different contrast material - there are several that can be substituted for people with thyroid issues who cannot take iodine. Gadolinium is an alternative. Some people say there are issues with that too, but in some cases, particularly with brain scans, contrast dye is essential and you cannot avoid it if you are to get a diagnosis.

May I ask why you decided not to take your thyroxine medication regularly? It is meant to be taken every day at the same time in order to have the best therapeutic effect. You may be still feeling unwell if you are not taking it regularly.

You do not show all your bloodwork - in order to help, the blood work experts here need a full thyroid panel with the ranges included, not just the readings. Have you been diagnosed with Hashimotos or other autoimmune disease?

Sending you good thoughts and hope you feel better soon.

[CattyCatt in reply to Greekchick]

Hi Greekchick, thank you for your reply. I'm not on any regular medication so it's just a matter of getting into the routine. The ranges are Thyroid Perox.ABs U/mL (<6.0), TSH mU/L (0.35 - 5.00), Free T4 pmol/L (9.0 -21.0). My results for each were as above. That's all they checked for. They've not sent me to an endocrinologist - my gp put me on thyroxine. They said 'it's auto-immune thyroiditis'. It's difficult getting any sort of straight answer from gps.

[Greekchick in reply to CattyCatt]

Hi Catty,

You should have a referral to an endo - and I would press your GP to send you to one. There are tests they run that from what I understand, you need an endo to request if you are in the UK. They are obligated to give you all your blood work - and I would want confirmation should you have an autoimmune disease. Wishing you all the best.