Postpartum thyroiditis

Hi everyone, I got an overactive thyroid after having my baby, and 6 months later it went very underactive. Whilst my thyroid was underactive I developed terrible musculoskeletal problems with my upper and lower back as my muscles were weakened and I was carrying and lifting my baby all day every day. My thyroid levels normalised about 3 months ago and my back started to get better. I have since had to lower my thyroxine as it was slightly too high on 2 blood tests and i reduced from 100 to 75/100 alternate days. However, im now in 75 daily and my most recent bloods showed they were in the normal range, but my musculoskeletal back issue has returned and I'm getting a bad back daily in pain. I thought it might be my thyroid but my GP is adamant my levels are in the normal range. If I increase my dose my levels will go too high again. I feel stuck! Does anyone have any helpful constructive advice please? Many thanks.

[greygoose]

Yes, get a print-out of all your results for as far back as possible. You need to know exactly what the doctor has been testing and exactly what the results are. If all he has been testing is the TSH, then he couldn't possible know if you were over-medicated.

[jimh111]

Your response to thyroid medication confirms the diagnosis and overrides theory based on blood tests - alas very difficult to persuade a doctor. You really need to have TSH, fT3, fT4 measured to get a good overview. 'levels in the normal range' is a vague statement. Get a copy of the actual results and reference intervals (numbers in brackets) and put them here.

[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.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone 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.

Far too often GP only tests TSH which is completely inadequate

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

Low vitamin D is EXTREMELY common and causes bone pain

You may need to get full 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 .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

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

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and 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 you have had vitamin and antibodies tested.....Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and 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

Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

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 .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Most important results are FT3 and FT4....NOT TSH

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your detailed reply. If I were to get a private blood test done what would my next steps then be? Would it be to find a private endocrinologist? Or do people take these tests to their GP?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Depends on the actual results

If vitamins are low, but within range, then self supplementing to improve

Same with thyroid levels...if these are out of range....or very low in range GP should adjust dose.

If you have high thyroid antibodies then coeliac blood test.

Etc etc

So first step is to get copies of your most recent blood test results from the surgery. Register for online access if blood test results are available online. Or pick up printed copies

Come back with new post. Members can advise on what else needs testing .....

GP should test vitamins and antibodies if not been done

Getting private testing of any missing

If vitamins are actually deficient then taking test results to GP for getting prescribed