Over the counter treatment

[Rushi1708]

Hello. I had my right thyroid gland removed three years ago. Fast forward three year, i have put 30 kg on, i feel depressed I am constantly tired, got no will to go on. My TSH is always 4.9 so within range but before the operation it was 1.0. The doctor cannot put me on medication. I was wondering if anyone can recommend something that I can buy over the counter that might help me? Thank you.

[fuchsia-pink]

Welcome to the forum.

A TSH of 4.9 is much too high. It may be "in range" (just) but in many countries you would be treated once it gets over 3. A TSH this high means your (remaining) thyroid is struggling.

But just testing TSH is inadequate - you need to test your actual thyroid hormones - T4 (the inactive thyroid hormone) which converts to T3 (the active thyroid hormone needed in every cell in your body). It's also worth testing all thyroid antibodies, and key nutrients - ferritin, folate, vit D and B12 if you can. I have had some success with my GP by saying that these are the tests recommended by Thyroid UK, but many GPs (or labs) are resistant, so you will see LOTS of posts here about private testing - and that's you best first step.

SlowDragon does an excellent summary of the private testing (and discounts) available, and should pop up in a bit.

When you get the results, post them in a new post, with the lab ranges in brackets after each result (these vary from lab to lab) and the lovely people here will help you to understand them and suggest a battle-plan from here - whether back to your GP, to see an endo, or self-source medication.

Many of us have had to take our health into our own hands, as GP training in thyroid is minimal and few look beyond TSH. Good luck x

[Rushi1708 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Thank you fuchsia-pink. At the beginning I used to go to the doctors alot and beg them to put me on some kind of medication but the kept saying is nothing wrong with me and it's only my anxiety so I gave up in the end. But I am tired now so tired of feeling like this. And now with the virus getting an appointment with the doctor it's a three week wait.

Thank you again for the advice. X

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome

Has GP only tested TSH?

Guidelines here, see flow chart on top of page 2

gp-update.co.uk/Latest-Upda...

If TSH is over top of range on 2 consecutive blood tests, you should be offered trial of levothyroxine

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, or if been hypothyroid for several months/years

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and 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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom...

[Rushi1708 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your reply SlowDragon. My GP is very reluctant to do any test because I am fine. The one I had done in March the doctor only checked TSH and T4. I just done a blood test privately, waiting for the results. I should have waited for your reply as I only bought the one that does TSH T4 and T3.

Every test that I have done in the past never have been asked to fast. Thank you for your advice. I will post the results as soon as I get them. X

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Rushi1708]

You can test just vitamin D here via NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

Or here

monitormyhealth.org.uk/vita...