I've had some extremely bizarre symptoms over the last 2 years, brain fog, visual floaters, weight gain, abdominal and back pain, sleepy during day, insomnia at night. Weird ibs symptoms including yellow stools, head pressure, aura migraines, feel drunk. Dry skin and ridged nails, Ferritin is raised, ggt also raised...clear abdominal ct scans, my tsh has been between 2.34 and 1.80. Gp insists my thyroid is fine..my palms are very red warm.and blotchy too... seems like the only thing I can find is palmar erythema? Always hot, don't itch but now my feet are always freezing. Im very irritable and not like myself at all.. heavy chest and just exhausted with no energy... but gp says I'm fine and probably depressed... i am being referred for sleep study due to possible sleep apnea...but I doubt that can cause this many issues ? I honestly feel like death, I dread waking up each day. Feels like ive got dementia.. im 32! . Coule thyroid issues occur whilst in "normal range" or do you think untreated sleep apnea could really cause this many problems
Thanks for reading sorry its so long
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ktan49
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Hi Ktan49, I went through similar issues. Mine were liver related issues. An ELF test showed Liver Fibrosis. I have told its better then liver biopsy. Weight gain can cause sleep apnea. I have had the sleep study done and been given the machine which I still have to use. One thing more is that I stopped Googling symptoms. I am sure you are more sensible than I am and not making the same mistake. PLEASE get liver stiffness tested or get and ELF blood test (Extended Liver Fibrosis). GP might not know about this so have to ask hospital. I hope it helps. Also try to get sleep routine sorted. I hope this helps
I went through a stage of googling and gave me the worst anxiety and lost lots of weight but have since recovered from that. I've had 2 fibroscans and a liver biopsy.. liver specialist assures me itw fine. When I next see him ill mention the ELF test.
How did you recover from it if you dont mind me asking ?
No my GP won't do anymore testing apparently Can high cortisol cause lots of issues and could sleep apnea trigger a high reading? Also heard high cortisol can be a precurser to hypothyroid? Many Thanks
High cortisol can cause a number of issues, the fact that have gained weight, have insomnia, brain fog & sleep apnoea it might be worth getting a test done to see what it is. High cortisol levels can cause the muscle to be come weak & that then can lead to sleep apnoea. It could be just the thyroid is out of balance & once that is sorted then everything else improves too.
First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
Far too frequently only TSH and Ft4 are tested, which is completely inadequate
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 .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
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.
Hi all - I am in a similar boat. I am/was definitely a regular heavy drinker but nothing crazy, started to get random symptoms in the past year (tingling feet, hands) and now recently getting lots of bier spots and red palms. I have a family history of poor circulation, but also concerned now about palmar erythema and whether in fact I DO have liver damage. My lab tests were normal (extensive, 3-6 months ago, and regular CT test of abdomen). My GP is not concerned, but this new blotchy ness/red in palms and bier spots is concerning..... They return to normal completely when I raise my hand above my shoulders, but it gets worse when I work out or it's hot out. Is that typical of palmar erythema? When lying down or waking up in the morning my hands are also normal.... any ideas?
If it goes away, does that rule out palmar erythema? Eeeee google rabbit holes are making me go crazy. Just joined this group so hopefully I can get some real world answers from the community. Thanks all!
how have you been since your posts 8 months ago? my hands seem to have palmar erythema and i am doing exactly like you - worrying myself i to believing that i am at the end of my rope - i have no other symptoms of any kind of liver cirrhosis- i definitely indulge - but red palms means cirrhosis.. can anyone help me feel better while waiting for my appt with my GP - im only going to GP to get the referral to see a specialist.. here are my hands and they definitely get worse with all the crying i am doing - i have a 2 year old, major house construction, and fight with my husband- so all the stressors are there!!
Bless you, it certainly does stress you out..I think I made things worse by using DR Google... still got weird digestive issues, rib and back pain, dizziness, brain fog, sweating... too many to list! My liver specialist finally called me after having 2 cancelled appointments due to covid. He wants to see me in clinic to do a 'mini MOT' as he put it.. so i'll be having fibroscan, ultrasound ( to check for gallstones) and various blood tests.. I feel like crap and fatigue is an under statement. Just try to keep calm until you see your GP. There can be various reasons for the red palms, hormone imbalance, thyroid, liver disease.. all sorts! try not to worry
Hi there - so sorry for your symptoms! I can definetely relate somewhat this past year. I am going to see an infectious disease doctor and cardio when I am back home (work and travel extensively in West Africa). Google rabbit holes are killing me, but the doctor insists i am in good health..... Very annoying. I will say that my hands return to normal when I raise them, is that the case for you?
Hi, did you get any closer to finding out the issue? My palms look like yours (but redder actually). They don't go normal when raised to answer the other question.
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Can high cortisol cause lots of issues and could sleep apnea trigger a high reading? Also heard high cortisol can be a precurser to hypothyroid? Many Thanks
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Help with diagnosis in the UK
