Can hypothyroidism develop in less than a year?

[cheesephetamine]

I just had a chat with my mental health nurse on the phone, for unrelated issued to my newly diagnosed hypothyroidism. However he had access to my blood tests in the computer from July 2019, and ALL numbers were standard (unsure of the actual numbers, mind you, but as he said all in the normal ranges). None were optimal, but none were flagged as high or low. This included: vit B12, it D, folate and thyroid function.

My question is, can hypothyroid develop so suddenly in less than a year??? My Vit D in on the floor (extremely low), low folate too (i have been unable to test B12 this time) and my TSH and FT4 also all over the place. Is this usual? Granted my health has declined A LOT in the last year but is this even possible?

Also a second question: he said tomorrow my GP will check for TSH, FT4 and the rest of thyroid tests (antibodies and a couple of more things) but she is not checking for vitamins, ferritin etc. Can I ask the practice nurse to add those or will she not be able to add them? Is it worth it re-checking with thriva for a FULL thyroid profile or not worth the money? Thanks!

ps: attaching my current tests for info!

[Bugbear123]

Mine developed very suddenly when I got glandular fever. The virus attacked my thyroid. Not sure if it's recovered but too scared to come off my T3 now in case I crash

[cheesephetamine in reply to Bugbear123]

I haven’t had any viral illness that I can recall

[fuchsia-pink]

I do feel for you with that TSH!

Most people struggle to get the nutrients tested on the NHS. I was very lucky. New GP and I said the nutrient testing was recommended by Thyroid UK so she added them - and that! - to the list and got them done for me

ps the hardest thing to get tested was Vit D, where there were various supplemental questions which the lab wanted answering on the bloods form which we sort-of fudged - but were successful x

[cheesephetamine in reply to fuchsia-pink]

I’ll try and see if they add them!

[greygoose]

My question is, can hypothyroid develop so suddenly in less than a year???

Depends what's causing it. And, unless you have Hashi's, you're unlikely to find out what's caused it. But, obviously, in your case, yes it can. Those results are very definitely hypo, and not a fluke because your FT4 is very low and corresponds to your TSH.

he had access to my blood tests in the computer from July 2019, and ALL numbers were standard (unsure of the actual numbers, mind you, but as he said all in the normal ranges).

Just having blood tests in-range does not mean you're not hypo, because the ranges are too wide. If your TSH was at the top of the range, and your FT4 at the bottom, you would be hypo, but still in-range. And, the disease would progress from there.

[cheesephetamine in reply to greygoose]

Thanks 🙏🏻 I’ll ask for print outs of my previous tests tomorrow

[cheesephetamine in reply to greygoose]

so I went to my surgery this morning and it's been a disaster to be honest! the nurse told me they are "only" doing the thyroid panel, no vitamins or food intolerances and that she could not add tests as that would be "diagnosing" (I am a GP nurse myself so I know we are not supposed to add test ourselves but sometimes we do - don't quote me on that!). Then she said (as I was on my uniform): are you going to work after this? can you take your own blood pressure and call me later with the results? (by this point I was gobsmacked), I said yes I will... Then the lady in the reception would not give me my last blood test print outs as they are "doing the bare minimum". (... again what the hell??). So anyway I came to work, asked a colleague to bleed me and I have sent my own bloods to the lab for coeliac screen, vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin. I hope I didn't forget anything! The GP is going to be surprised when she gets all this extra tests! XD

[greygoose in reply to cheesephetamine]

What about FT3 and antibodies?

You should have reminded the lady in reception that she is breaking the law. It would only have taken her a couple of minutes to print out your results, so 'only doing the bare minimum' was not a good excuse. The law says you are entitled to them and that is that. She probably just couldn't be bothered!

[cheesephetamine in reply to greygoose]

as far as I know the GP is doing a full panel as she told me that because I had my tests done privately (thriva) she wanted to double check and add antibodies so I am ASSUMING she added the lot. But on Tuesday I will call and demand a printout of these ones and the previous bloods for my records... I will probably be told off for overstepping on my GPs toes and adding the extra ones (but honestly I don't care)

[greygoose in reply to cheesephetamine]

Ah, never assume anything! They really can't understand the importance of the FT3.

[cheesephetamine in reply to greygoose]

By the way I followed the advise in here and went fasted without taking my levo. I just had water to get the best results ever on my TFT