hey! Im new to this and tbyroid problems all together!. Ive contactef my GP a few days ago stating ive got horrific hair loss and quite frequent blackouts and head rushes (in excess of 30 times a day!) And she ordered a full works of bloods!
Shes called me today and told me i have an overactive thyroid! Yet looking at the symptoms that NHS website states i have next to non of the symptoms yet allll my symptoms i have are suggesting underactive? Can this still be the case? Nothing is making sense!
Thanks hope everyone is well!
Gemma
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Gbush93
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I'd suggest you get the actual blood results and reference ranges (which vary from lab to lab) - and post them here, so we can see what has been tested and what they show.
This is a very friendly forum, with a lot of experienced, knowledgeable people who can give you help.
You are legally entitled to your results without having to give a reason (although it may be easiest to say "for my records").
I have my results but i have no way of collating them to one image haha!
The main results are
TSH 0.02 miu/L (range of 0.3 to 5)
Free T4 30.4 pmol/L (range 11 - 22)
Free T3 9.9 pmol/L (range 3.1 to 6.8)
Ive also have raised
ALT of 111 u/L (range 0-49)
And anemia yet folate and B12 all normal x
My symptoms started with hair loss thats got progressively worse over the past week or so, and ive start experiencing blackouts and head rushes when i stand up and turn around a tad to quick or bend down to pick something up.
Ive struggled to loose weight even on a very restrictive diet and excerise (i have lost weight but not as much as i would have expected)
Your results show your thyroid is overactive at the moment. There can be several reasons for overactivity. Have you had thyroid antibodies TPO or TgAb tested?
What has the doctor recommended? Have you been referred to an endocrinologist? Is the Dr going to do further tests?
Many of your symptoms are very likely due to low ferritin. What has the Dr recommended? You need a full iron panel, has this been done?
You will not necessarily lose weight with overactive thyroid as you may eat more or your body may adapt. You need a good balanced, nutritious diet.
So TPO, or thyroid peroxidase antibodies are in range. I would be asking for a referral to a thyroid specialist endocrinologist to be tested for TSI and TRab antibodies. These are antibodies that would confirm Graves disease or overactive thyroid. There can be other causes for overactive thyroid but I would want it ruled out or confirmed. In the UK, overactive thyroid is usually managed in Endocrinology rather than by GP at least initially.
Yes.. as I myself have been dealing with it, for me, it's been literally a life long endeavor.. Hope to God your time is easier with it.. it is gonna be a work in progress... and well can't say this for sure, because everyone is different.. But it is a Lot of trial and error with meds be they to slow it down or speed it up.. it's a "Process" for sure!
When I was experiencing over active symptoms several yrs ago (I was always told nothing wrong) I would randomly black out and walk off balance never had the typical symptoms of hyper like heart rate or shaking.... eventually my eye popped out of socket (With No TPO or TgAb). Your results look hyper.
Overactive and underactive symptoms can cross over or be similar so you need the actual blood test results.
Very likely whichever thyroid condition you have, vitamin levels will be low and symptoms of low vitamins can be present with both under and overactive thyroid so again you need results. Ask for all results and them post them here for advice. Include thyroid antibodies and vitamins as well as TSH, FT3 and FT4. Make sure you post the lab range alongside the results.
Since my breast cancer & due to the fluid bit with my own thyroid issues, as in not having one. born w/out, I take Biotin for my hair and nails.. Hair has come back and not brittle, and nails are stronger then ever.. *smiles*
TPO and TG antibodies for Hashimoto’s (hypothyroidism )
TSI or Trab antibodies for Graves’ disease (hyperthyroid)
Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as Graves....hence important to test all antibodies
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, with Graves and Hashimoto’s
Low ferritin is more likely with Hashimoto’s
Ask GP to test vitamin D 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
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
Folate low, but within range so GP won’t prescribe
Igennus Super B is good quality and cheap vitamin B complex. Contains folate. Full dose is two tablets per day. Many/most people may only need one tablet per day. Certainly only start on one per day (or even half tablet per day for first couple of weeks)
Or Thorne Basic B or jarrow B-right are other options that contain folate, but both are large capsules
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
The only symptoms I've noticed significantly are the horrendous hair loss and the very frequent blackouts and head rushes i get when i stand up or move too quick or bend down!
Maybe the odd light headedness but other than that im not tired or feeling run down or anything! X
My GP is going to be ringing me back tomorrow with a plan of action so hopefully we get somewhere x thank you for your help and advice!
Well when i say im on a strict diet, its mainly reduced carbs ans sugar! Still eating alot of red abd white meats, fish, vegetables and fruit every day etc, just cutt down alot on processed carbs and sugars but i suppose i can be more relaxed! Hopefully we gwt somewhere today when my GP rings me back!
You could have orthostatic blood pressure, I was told this when I would black out. Horrible experience that still haunts me I no longer will drive on highway because of it!
Hi Gemma.. thyroid issues are all around us. It is very important to see the right specialist. You will become very familiar with the issues and it's also very important to follow up. Blood work is very important.
Firstly, Welcome Gemma!! You my dear need to get a referral to an endocrinologist!.. In my experience having been born w/out a thyroid.. it is possible to be as I am congenital/central hypothyroid and still be over medicated.. I can't speak to "normal" because I have never been normal.. but blood work is confusing.. even to me after 58 years of it.. I have taken upwards of .150 mcg, all my life, and my doc convinced me to lower my dose.. jury is still kinda out on this.. but I would definitely talk to your current doc and see if he/she can refer you to an endocrinologist...
With me, it's as my endo explained there is an "axis" between the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, & they don't know what to do, bc I have no thyroid gland, so not only did he lower my dosage of levothyroxin, but he added 50,000 units of vitamin D2 and 10 mg of B-12.. so I feel at least half assed normal.. My docs have recently confused the hell out of me, and totally discombobulated my knowledge of thyroid, saying that if my blood work is elevated I need to go in the opposite direction med wise.. Not sure if that makes any sense to you or anyone else here!.. Everything I ever thought I knew about thyroid has been completely turned upside down..
Hi, sorry to hear you’ve been through such a lot of disorientating thyroid symptoms. Do your own research into the best NHS thyroid specialist endo and ask to be referred to them.
List all your symptoms and have support during the telephone consultation if necessary.
And before any further blood tests, stop taking the biotin and any other high dose B or C vitamins, just make sure you have plenty of fresh food (steer clear of processed foods).
It’s also probably worth getting used to doing your own blood tests through postal finger prick testing, as you can standardise when you do them and you get an understanding of all the hormone levels, and the antibodies tested.
And all the best, you are on your way to recovery. This support group is super and will guide you back to better health.
Just wanted to add don't accept any treatment before you have all tests done and posted here for advice because most Dr's, and endos aren't great with thyroid.
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.
x
ohh no! Hope you were okay! X 
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