Hello again.after my last visit to gp for blood tests I wrote them back stating I feel unwell and would like to be tested for hypothyroidism. That was their answer:
Many thanks for your email and sorry to hear that your symptoms are problematic.
The NHS does not do more detailed thyroid function tests (T4 and T3) as the evidence behind doing this is limited. Your TSH level on 28th February was entirely normal, which is reassuring. The ENT doctors have recommended that we review your TSH level once or twice a year, so please make an appointment towards the end of August.
So now I know they will not help unless my tsh rises a lot.
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Bibisbibi
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So, like thousands and thousands of UK patients....you need to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing privately
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
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)
Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or 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 results and members can advise on next steps
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?
Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin (eg vitamin B complex) a week before ANY Blood tests as biotin can falsely affect test results
As you have hashimoto’s are you on strictly gluten free diet.
This frequently helps improve symptoms., can also help arthritis
approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find strictly gluten free diet reduces symptoms, sometimes significantly. Either due to gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying strictly gluten free diet for 3-6 months
If no noticeable improvement, reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
Thank you. I was almost sure I will need to go private.from your experience, will the gp listen after I bring back my results or do I need to chase it further?I have an endo abroad but ideally I would like to be treated in uk.
If anything is clearly below range, then taking results to GP
If vitamins are low, but within range GP won’t treat. But improving vitamin levels by self supplementing can improve symptoms....and may either improve thyroid function or, if thyroid is struggling, TSH should then rise enough to get GP to treat
Strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential for thousands of Hashimoto’s patients
The fact that ENT has suggested reviewing your TSH once or twice a year suggests to me that your result was higher than "normal", and may have been over the range. Do you have an actual figure for it?
I'm puzzled about you being referred to ENT rather than endocrinology. Do you know why your doctor did that?
I had my right part thyroid removed so it was them that have suggested that gp should do blood tests but only tsh as it seems.my tsh was within nhs range so they won't make more blood tests.
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Doctor won't perscribe me with thyroxine!
GP won't do T4 and T3 !
Help with test results for GP appt
Help to understand results please
