Hypothyroidism but not low enough for medications

[lisa148]

Hypothyroidism but not low enough for medications! Can someone please help me my family suspected I had this for years and I have finally been diagnosed but my GP said it’s not low enough for medication.. no one wants to take medication unnecessarily but I really need to do something I am so miserable as I have all the classic symptoms! Where do I go from here? Do I go see Endocrinologist or wait for the next 3 monthly blood test??

[sbadd]

Do you have some test results you can post, also were you tested for antibodies?

[lisa148 in reply to sbadd]

Yes have results don’t think I was tested for antibodies

[lisa148 in reply to sbadd]

Free T4 level 18.7 pool/L (12-22)

TSH level 5.52 mIU/L (0.27-4.2)

[Wetsuiter in reply to lisa148]

are you under 65? i think i can find some guidelines that might help

[lisa148 in reply to Wetsuiter]

Yes I am 47 yrs old

[Wetsuiter in reply to lisa148]

section 1.5.4 may apply?

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145/...

if so, show your Dr. these are v new guidelines from NICE

[sbadd in reply to lisa148]

They need to test for antibodies, im in Australia so not sure what guidelines are to where you are but your Tsh is above range

[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.

Add results and ranges if you have them

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 if not been done

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 .

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

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_...

Come back with new post once you get results

If you have TSH over range but still under 10, raised antibodies and symptoms you should be offered 6 months trial of Levothyroxine