Please can some one recommend a good endo for Hypothyroid treatment? I am taking 100 mg levo but I am getting symptoms like tiredness, weight gain specially in the middle, puffy face, unwanted hair on face, dry and patchy spotted facial skin, irregular menstrual cycle and so on. Though my blood test results are within the range.
Please can you advise any suggestion for any good for me?
Thanks
Rabeya Blood results in range means nothing. You need to know the actual results and the ranges. For example the lab for my blood tests has a range of 10 -25 for FT4. Now I would be in range at 11 and I would also be in range at 24. The question is what level in range do I feel well at and are my vitamins optimal and what level is my FT3 at?
Please post any results and ranges you have and we can help.
Thanks for your reply, Please find the results below:
T4 - 20.1 pmole/L (10.5-24.5)
TSH - 1.33mU/L (0.27-4.2)
TSH and FT4 don't give the full picture. You need FT3 testing at the same time because if your conversion of T4 to T3 is poor then low T3 causes symptoms. T4 is a storage hormone, T3 is the active hormone that every cell in our body needs so it's important to test this as well, unfortunately doctors seem to be ignorant of this fact.
Also important are optimal vitamin levels, low levels bring their own symptoms and also means that thyroid hormone can't work properly, so it's import to test these as well. The following tests cover everything needed at this stage:
Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT or
Blue Horizon Thyroid Check PLUS ELEVEN
The above link takes you to the website of this Forum. Lots of information to help you learn more about your condition.
Private Testing is available under the heading - About Testing. There is a Medichecks bundle covering TSH - FT4 - FT3 - Anti- TPO - Anti-Tg. Also Active B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD. These tests are done with Home Testing kits.
Report back in a new post for more advice than you would receive from most Endos 🤔
If you have copies of results with ranges then do post ...
Hi Marz
Thanks for your reply,
Is that home testing kit giving all results at home or I need to send the blood sample out for getting resuls?
You send the sample back to the lab, results are usually available within 24-48 hours, they send you an email when your results are ready. You can do the test by fingerprick or arrange a venous blood draw at extra cost. Details will be on the website of the testing company.
The blood samples go in the mail and you get results online. Medicheck have a few tests discounted Feb
I agree with Marz that you need some comprehensive testing of hormone and nutritional status before we can really advise. Or perhaps you have had more testing done within the past year?
The other possibility that springs to mind with these symptoms is PCOS, but you really need specialist referral for complete investigations.
Hi Hillwoman, PCOS has been ruled out 5 years back while I was taking IVF treatment.
Thanks
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested.
Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are particularly common with hashimoto’s
Ask GP to test vitamin levels
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
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
come back with new post once you get FULL thyroid results and all vitamin results
Thanks for you suggestion,
Is there any difference between DIY finger prick test and private blood draw option in relation to accuracy of the results?
No, provided don’t squeeze finger but let blood flow freely
Important to test early morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before
Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before any blood tests
Waste of time and money seeing any thyroid specialist until done full thyroid and vitamin testing and got all four vitamins optimal
Do they not check full thyroid tests as per requirement after evaluating physical conditions and symptoms face to face?
A) astonishingly often not
B) endocrinologist will only test/treat for vitamin deficiencies ( below range results)
C) On levothyroxine we need OPTIMAL vitamin levels
D) important to test thyroid levels early morning, before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
E) Medichecks or Blue horizon testing frequently substantially cheaper than via private endocrinologist
F) getting vitamin levels optimal BEFORE seeing any consultant highly recommended as this changes thyroid levels
G) it’s waste of time and money going to first consultation without getting comprehensive tests FIRST
H) unbelievably.......Rare to get an actual physical examination at all.
Optimal vitamin levels
Vitamin D at least over 80nmol
Folate at least over ten
B12 at least over 500
Ferritin at least half way through range
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