I'm not diagnosed but am looking for advice on what I should expect (based on experience over the last few years I'm not expecting a diagnosis to be easy!)
Several years I've been tired, chills, heavy frequent menstrual bleeding, weight gain and loss, headaches, blurred vision, my hair seems to be moulting, sore throat, neck is now feeling puffy, ear pain in night , my temperature seemed to be low fever for a long time- but that has gone down in the last few months and I've had other symptoms too. I'm unable to eat carbs without headaches/ feeling shattered/ chills/ low fever/ worsening sore throat and high blood glucose - so I'm on a really low carb diet, have been on and off for a couple of years. (most people think I'm crazy, dr has said I should continue - but not quite sure he'd realise how limited my diet has to be to reduce symptoms). I'm not diagnosed with anything yet.
I'm waiting for an urgent appointment at the eye hospital, after optician saw some refraction on my lens (I'm also concerned one eye seems to have a smaller visual field).
Blood test recently TSH 0.01 and T4 18.9 and t3 6.8. I phoned dr who have asked me to have a follow-up blood test in 4 weeks time. I think that my thyroid is going up and down though, but I can't be sure - just based on my symptoms. I also think my symptoms change throughout my menstrual cycle. Last year, when I was very unwell with similar sypmptons- my TSH and T4 was normal.
Based on my tests and symptoms, what should I expect? What should I be pushing for when I go back to the dr? What if my next blood test is normal?
I've written down my blood tests in a spread sheet, what else should I be measuring?
Just want to understand if anyone else has these symptoms and to see if you have any tips on feeling less rubbish also really grateful for, am single mum to two amazing children, working full time and constantly shattered, struggle to feel well and worry sometimes I am irritable (generally I'm fairly chilled, but I do struggle when I'm tired - tonight I've gone to bed the same time as my kids and sent them to bed without usual cuddles as I'm too shattered). I do regular exercise, when not too unwell - but that is becoming less often. I'm also worried if I should be exercising hard now, I've been having some palpitations -and not sure if I could cause myself damage? What do you think?
Thank you.
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Mew7
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I think with those results you risk being 'diagnosed' with hyperthyroidism - although you aren't hyper. What you need most is your antibodies tested. If you have the feeling that your thyroid is 'going up and down', it probably is. And, that would mean you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - more commonly known in the UK as Autoimmune Thyroiditis - where the immune system attacks and slowly destroys the thyroid. You aren't hypo at the moment, and you aren't euthyroid, you look as if you've on the verge of hyperthyroidism, and that would tie in with Hashi's. So, ask for TPO antibodies to be tested.
If you don't feel up to exercise, I would say don't push yourself. You have more important things to spend your energy on. Good luck!
I did ask for antibodies test when I went to Dr's (before the recent test) but was refused. I will phone them again and if they say no I'll get one privately.
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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies at next test
You may need to get Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
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
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 primary 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 .
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