My background - I'm beyond fed up! Taking levothyroxine for 7 years T3 and T4 levels always come back normal BUT have extreme fatigue, foggy head, headaches and weight gain! I also have dreadful tinnitus which is raging all the time. GP simply not interested and keeps repeating that my levels are within range! Just changing practice and seeing new GP on Wednesday and am hoping that he will show some interest and work with me, particularly on Tinnitus front.
Does anyone else have tinnitus that can offer advice or indeed with any of my other symptoms .
Thank you
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Leejones
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Normal means within range which may be not the right point for you.
Get your results with the ranges and post them for advice. You need TSH,FT4,FT3, D3,,B12, ferritin and folate. Tinnutus is a symptom of being hypothyroid.
As suggested it is important to always obtain copies of test results with ranges from your surgery- they are legally yours. You can then monitor your progress and check what has been missed .. Do you know your B12 level ? How much Thyroxine are you taking ? Are you taking any other meds ?
No idea of my blood profile/B12 levels but will suggest to new GP to take sample across the spectrum. Am taking 50mg Levo, Sertraline 100mg, BP and Cholesteral.
Are you taking a Statin ? It seems as if your T3 level is low - increasing the need for so many meds. Others have asked for your test results - so difficult to comment without them.
I have read that lidocaine patches worn on the back of the neck can help with tinnitus. But, I haven't been able to test that because I haven't been able to find lidocaine patches! I would be interested to know if it helps anyone that does try it.
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
Have you had thyroid antibodies tested?
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)
Is this how you do your tests?
Can you add actual results and ranges of Thyroid
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies
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
Thanks sooooo much to all of you that have responded; you have all provided far more interest ( and I do ) than any GP I've seen over recent years! I'm going to write all you've provided me with down ready for my (new) GP appointment on Wednesday and feed back to you
Ordered and received B12 today so have already commenced. Will be keep daily diary monitor potential changes 🤗
Ideally you should test vitamin levels FIRST,especially before starting any B vitamins....otherwise you won’t get base level. See if you can get GP to test B12, folate, vitamin D and ferritin on Wednesday
There is a high (approx 40%) prevalence of B12 deficiency in hypothyroid patients. Traditional symptoms are not a good guide to determining presence of B12 deficiency. Screening for vitamin B12 levels should be undertaken in all hypothyroid patients, irrespective of their thyroid antibody status. Replacement of B12 leads to improvement in symptoms
Had phone call from surgery asking to see practice nurse next week to discuss raised blood sugars. GP ringing me next week to discuss low levels of vitamin D, whatever that means? TSH levels have come back within range again😏
So do you have your results now? See above replies. Low iron / Ferritin can cause headaches due to a reduction of oxygen. Which B12 and how much ? B Complex ? VItD ?
Seriously going through samething & now w this virus & my low immune system I’m seriously worried bout this as I’m not sleeping more then 3-4 hrs a day for 5 days then the following 2 days all i in do is sleep & use the bathroom cause of ringing in ears & hotflashes etc good luck w your dr this week
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