Do I have an underactive thyroid?: Hey everyone... - Thyroid UK

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Do I have an underactive thyroid?

Samanthamcx profile image
7 Replies

Hey everyone,

I'm hoping someone will be able to help me as I'm at a dead end.

I'm 29 years old with type 1 diabetes (only health condition) with excellent control for the past 4 years. An underactive thyroid is rife in my family from my father to my extended family.

I have mirror image symptoms to my father and I cannot stand the fatigue and muscle weakness any longer.

May 2020 T4 = 11.9 (range 12-20)

May 2020 TSH = 1.89 (range 0.27-4.20)

November 2020 T4 = 12.3 (range 12-20)

November 2020 TSH = 1.89 (range 0.27-4.20)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies = 274 (range 0-34)

Because of these results, my GP isn't treating me and checking again in 12-18 months. I had a full blood count and have no other explanation for these symptoms.

Can anyone give me any advice on what to do next?.

Thank you,

Samantha

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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Yes...looking very likely

but GP is only looking at low TSH

Ft4 is very low

Looking at some degree of central hypothyroidism

Likely low vitamin levels too

Type one diabetes is autoimmune

Having one autoimmune disease makes others more likely

High TPO antibodies confirms autoimmune thyroid disease

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

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

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 .

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 antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

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 down to £26.10 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...

As you have Type one diabetes are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Recommend getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done

Meanwhile

Email Dionne at Thyroid UK for list of recommend thyroid specialist endocrinologists........NHS and Private

tukadmin@thyroiduk.org

Samanthamcx profile image
Samanthamcx in reply toSlowDragon

Hi SlowDragon,

Thank you for the advice - I really appreciate it and I will look into the Medichecks test.

At the moment, I'm only taking 5mg of Folic Acid as we are TTC (since February 2019).

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toSamanthamcx

Then you URGENTLY need to see an endocrinologist Almost certainly privately

Roughly where in the U.K. are you

btf-thyroid.org/pregnancy-a...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

conceiveabilities.com/about...

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

Samanthamcx profile image
Samanthamcx in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you - I've purchased the advanced thyroid test from Medichecks.

I'm in Scotland (just outside of Glasgow)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toSamanthamcx

Only do the test on Monday or Tuesday morning and post back via tracked 24 hour postal service....during pandemic standard post may be too slow

If taking any supplements that contain biotin, eg vitamin B complex) you need to stop these a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results

Samanthamcx profile image
Samanthamcx in reply toSlowDragon

I thought I would add that my recent thyroid test was taken at 3pm and not a fasting test.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toSamanthamcx

I sent you a pm

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