I had a blood test back in December for a under active thyroid and have had to wait until now to have a follow up blood test . Which is posted above, my TSH level has risen from 5.56miu/l
And T4 was 11.3 in December. I have already posted my results from December on a earlier post .
The new results say borderline, I go to see my dr on Monday, now I don’t know what to expect from him, I have a lot of symptoms but will he wait until my TSH rises or should I push for medication.please could you advise if I should be on medication now, I really don’t feel well .
Thank you
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Norrahsjake
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I wouldn't feel well with TSH that high and T4 struggling along the bottom of the range. When you see the GP, I suggest you emphasise all the symptoms you have which indicate you need medication - and read up on hypothyroidism. At some point quite soon it would be a good idea to have a full range of blood tests done - including free T3, thyroid antibodies, and key nutrients folate, ferritin vit D and B12 - so that you can understand more fully where you are now - and where you need to get to. Good luck!
Thanks for your reply, I had a full range of blood tests in December and they wasn’t brilliant, low vitamin D and folate, if the dr won’t do anything on Monday , il will try seeing another dr at the practice. I have read up on hypothyroidism and will have to go else where for medication if my dr won’t prescribe any on Monday.thank you for taking the time to reply x I feel like I’m banging my head against a brick wall, I know I need something but the dr doesn’t seem to want to give me anything.
If you can, take a man with you to the GP ... for some weird reason the docs often take us more seriously then, and prescribe what we need rather than fob us off. Good luck x
True, but in spite of political correctness it is a fact that, on average, men tend to be more assertive than women. But there are plenty of exceptions.
Yes, you should be on thyroid hormone replacement and in some other countries you would be once your TSH reaches 3; however, in the UK doctors are sadists and like to make us wait until TSH goes over 10.
You could tick off your symptoms from the list on ThyroidUK here:
show your GP and point out your rising TSH which has been over range twice, and your falling FT4 which is very close to the bottom of the range, and ask for a trial of Levothyroxine. No guarantee that this will work, but worth a try. If a trial is refused, maybe ask your GP "If you had all these symptoms and these results, felt as ill as I do and it affected your life to the extent that ….. (fill in the blanks - can no longer work, sleep XX number of hours a day, have no social life, marriage is affected, etc...) what would you do?"
Hi, thanks for replying, I have already got along list of my symptoms, the newest in my throat , I’m ready to tell the doctor them all over again. Thanks for your advice , I will definitely give it ago on Monday, it’s so frustrating, I feel like he doesn’t listen, I will go and see a different doctor, if I get no joy .
If you print off the list from ThyroidUK and present your symptoms on there, you can say you have got your information from the charity ThyroidUK which the NHS website links to for further information, it might be taken more seriously than if you just present your own list, back it up with something "official".
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/insist GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies
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)
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
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 can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )
Yes doc should give levo if over tsh normal range plus symptoms. But often don’t. Ask for an trial’ to see if it will make you feel better and stress it’s affecting your ability to work, maintain relationships etc They need to be heavily encouraged to deviate from strict guidelines sometimes but will do so if they think you’re really suffering. Exasperating! Good luck.
I was going to say that too. Ask for a "Clinical trial", sounds more knowledgeable and professional! He might even begin to think you a "Mere patient" do have some idea what you are talking about!
You could point out that because it's a trial you can't blame him if it doesn't work.
Be warned though, sometimes - for several reasons -starting thyroxine makes you feel worse, at least at first.
But that does NOT mean you don't need it. Persevere, don't panic but insist on getting the help you need.
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