Hi all,
I posted earlier in the summer. I can't find the post but in short
- high TGaB antibodies, in range TPO
- results at the time of posting last time (June) were from medichecks:
TSH 2.66 (.27-4.2)
FT3 3.8 (3.1- 6.8)
FT4 12.9 (12-22)
I did these tests on the basis of a £400 consultation with an endo here (unfortunately not on thyroid uk list), who told me that my symptoms are not thyroid related and that i should try to stop thyroid meds altogether. That my vitamin levels from October 2017 were fine so no need to retest them (ugh).
I am on 50mcg Euthyrox and have been for the past 2 years. Being medicated back in Czech rep as was discharged by an endo here without any blood tests/ultrasound. the GP does have my thyroid issue on file but i get my meds from Czech rep. I see the endo there once a year and she always does an ultrasound + blood tests (TSH and ft4 only *sigh*). Since I pay for the blood tests, I added ft3 and also sex hormones as per gyno's advice as i have 0 sex drive and PMS (water retention, fatigue etc) which I never suffered with before thyroid issues. CZ endo said I should have added testosterone as well but that since I want to get pregnant (have 3 kids already), there would be no help anyway as it's normally corrected by taking the pill. My gyno was happy with my sex hormones results ( Ive attached)
Results in CZ 14 July 2020:
TSH: 2.120 (.380-3.5)
FT3: 3.3 (2.6-5.7)
FT4: 12.21 (9.01-19.05)
From all the brilliant info on this forum, I know that my numbers are far from optimal, despite being in the stupid set 'range'. I have used the polish calculator that has been posted here several times. I have looked over past results and I have noticed a trend in the 'in range' but low ft3 and ft4. My symptoms were not overly severe in the summer but they are becoming more and more apparent I had some hair loss pretty much since this all started at the end of oct 2017 but now it has intensified and I am getting quite worried. I developed rosacea in February after my skin went haywire after the thyroid probs started) and have had about 3 Raynauds 'episodes' on my hands in the past year. I still have 0 sex drive and my irritibality is def on the rise (atm I want to kill everyone in this house and pretty sure it's a mutual feeling). Apart from that I feel I have a puffy face (although I have gained about 8kg over the past 3 years - I cant blame the thyroid entirely- i have been eating my emotions and my relationship with food has a serious dent in it as a result of going head first into AIP without much prior preparation. I will admit I am not gluten free (although I have mainly eliminated it but I do understand it's all or nothing). Since my experience with the AIP and so much restriction, I have a serious mental struggle in eliminating things since I dont have any obvious symptoms after consuming gluten (ie i would find it much 'easier' for my brain to comprehend if I had immediate symptoms like stomach cramps etc). Again this is a mental thing I need to tackle. Also like I mentioned, PMS and water retention is real.
FINALLY - I am going to contact my GP and since the 'questionnaire' that has to be filled out for a consult these days I feel this gives me some space to try to get their attention. I have read dr Toft's guidelines which suggest a low TSH and higher in range ft3 and ft4. Is this something that GPs are aware of at all? Will they know who he is? Is there any point in trying to explain optimal vs in range? Can I directly ask them to please test vitamins etc? I am happy to pay for ft3 as I gathered it is almost never tested through NHS. If I have to do private tests for everything. is it worth doing antibodies again? Do I mention Raynaud and rosacea to GP as I was seen by a nurse back in Feb for rosacea and just given a cream.
I;ve been holding off to write to the GP but my hair loss is distressing and my temper is getting worse by the day as it stands. I have enough meds to keep me going for a year or so, but I guess increasing meds by myself is def not advised?
thank you for your help and apologies for the long story