Hi everyone, I’d be grateful for anyone with a similar experience to shed some light on my health situation, or to help me understand whether I need to investigate further for any other conditions (Blood results at bottom of post)
About 18 months ago I lost a large chunk of hair (3cm in diameter). My original dr said it was simply alopecia and refused to do bloods. I suffer from lots of food allergies and IBS so I suspected might possibly be autoimmune related. After changing dr, they ordered a full blood panel and everything came back in normal range.
Then, in the last few months I have unexplained weight gain (8kg since June), brain fog, fatigue. For as long as I can remember I have had very cold hands and feet and always been cold. I did some more research and found that the rest of my symptoms might look like hypo (resting heart rate 58bpm, monthly migraines, eczema on face especially around lips and nose). I have also noticed further hair loss, and I suddenly saw I have several tufts / chunks of hair which are really short sticking up all over my head! Dr ordered new bloods but did not test thyroid so I have done private Thriva test. Dr said conditions were mental, however I am good at managing my mental health and the fatigue, tiredness behind the eyes etc loss of drive, libido and low mood do feel new to me.
I also read that my TSH might be too high if trying to get pregnant - so I’ve posted all relevant results below (starting oldest) to see if you think I could be hypo (or eventually) or I should be looking for other conditions. I am not vegan or vegetarian, and I would consider my diet to be pretty healthy. Thank you.
Your symptoms certainly suggest that you're hypo - and many of us would happily slap your doctor for suggesting it's a mental thing instead
In many countries you would be treated as hypo when TSH goes over 3. In the UK they don't just want it to be over-range, but waaaay over range - often as high as 10 (which rather makes a nonsense of having a top of the range less than half that), or a bit lower but with raised antibodies.
You're not yet over-range. Free T4 is 42% through range and free T3 is 44% (so balanced but both less than half way).
I have read that you really need TSH to be less than 2.5 if you are or planning to be pregnant ... hopefully someone will post the link, maybe SlowDragon ? - so this may be the way in ... ideally you want to persuade a GP (perhaps a different one?) to give you a starter dose of 50 mcg of levo to bring your TSH down to less than 2.5 (ideally quite a lot less) and bring your "frees" up - you will likely feel better when these are both at least 2/3 through range - one you are started on levo re-test your bloods every 6 -8 weeks to see if a dose increase is needed.
Don't forget to have early morning blood tests, when TSH is highest. Good luck x
Thank you so much for sharing, I will be sure to read these.
No known autoimmune diseases as far as I am aware although my father also has several food and animal allergies, my brother also has allergies and severe asthma.
I have followed a strictly gluten free diet for a year or so before, a few years ago. It did make a noticeable improvement to IBS however I have tested negative for coeliac’s disease when not following gluten-free diet. When I realised I wasn’t doing any severe damage to my body I returned to normal diet and put up with symptoms... typical triggers are very high gluten food, cheese and large portions of red meat so I do tend to avoid although not completely!
But I am strongly considering returning to GF diet with the onset of the additional symptoms.
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.