Hi everyone, I am new here but more importantly I am at whits end. I am a 23 year old female who is very overweight despite eating well and being active.
After experiencing pure fatigue, weight gain (though not eating more than normal) and other difficulties for at least 3 weeks, my doctor sent me for a large blood test. He tested for everything (including TSH).
My TSH number is 2.57 (after fasting and not taking any of my medications) and he said that it is nothing to worry about.
He said that there was no way I could have a thyroid problem, despite having a family history of it. The doctor also refused to send me to have my FT3 and FT4 test done.
I don't know what to do or where to turn too. What do I do if he won't even test for hypothyroidism? What steps should I take next? Help! Please...
Is there even a possibility that I have it?
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Sox1891
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Lots of people on here have private blood tests done (a finger-prick test at home these days) so you will see lots of posts about these. One of the firms, Medichecks, usually has a discount on a Thursday; there are also discounts at Thyroid UK.
For full testing you need TSH, free T4, free T3, thyroid antibodies and key nutrients - ferritin, folate, vit D and B12.
SeasideSusie gives great advice on how best to do the test at home - click on her name and look at some of her replies.
Post the results (plus ranges in brackets afterwards, as these vary from lab to lab) and the lovely people here can advise.
Well once your TSH goes above 3 you are acknowledged as having hypothyroidism and in some countries you will be diagnosed and receive medication :
In the UK our ' magic number ' for treatment has been extended up and is now 10 :
Your option would be to organise the blood test yourself and rely on the information from here as to what it all means, and what you next need to do, as already suggested.
You know you are not right, so other than find another doctor, take some of it on board yourself. I was where you are a few years ago and thanks to the amazing people on this forum I've managed to turn things around for myself.
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
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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
Have you been starving yourself in an attempt to lose weight, and/or counting calories, and/or eating a low fat diet? Then this thread is worth reading :
Unfortunately, if you're in the UK, doctors have been directed not to prescribe levothyroxine until the TSH reaches 10. In other countries if TSH went above 3+ with symptoms people would be prescribed.
Weight gain is one of the clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism as our metabolism slows right down. It is the commonest complaint.
It is a big learning curve and I will give you a direction to follow:-
All blood tests for hypothyroidism have to be at the earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water). Always get a print-out of your results and make sure the ranges (the figures are in brackets) are stated as it enables members to respond (labs differ in their machines so ranges can be different.
The majority on this forum look after their own thyroid health. My doctor told me I had no problems at all despite a TSH of 95.4.
The following is from Thyroiduk.org.uk who is the 'mother' of this forum and it is those small staff who do the leg work of trying to change attitudes of the medical professionals.
Thank you so much for all your advice. I’ve ordered a self Thyroid blood kit to do at home. I’m aware that I need to fast before the test and that it needs to be done as early as possible. When I get my results, I’ll post them here and would be super duper grateful if you guys could have a look at them and tel me what I need to do next.
You guys are all amazing for responding to my messages and have made me feel like I’m not in this alone. The NHS wants nothing to do with me but now at least I feel like I have a chance to look after myself.
You are certainly not alone! Most of the people on this site are here because Thyroid problems are poorly understood, badly diagnosed and often incorrectly treated by the medical profession.
You will get lots of support and advice though it is good to keep in mind that you need to learn to do your own research as well to enable you to stand up to Doctors and ensure you get the best treatment.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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