Ok so some background. I’ve always had irregular periods, very heavy and painful but used to have 100+ days between cycles. Eventually when I was around 20 I went to a dr to get tested for an under active thyroid and PCOS. (My mum/oldest sister are under as well.)
I was never increased from the starter dose because every time I’d get tested I was told my results were fine.
During the pandemic I was feeling really crappy and not having periods again so I called to get my thyroid checked. Got a locum doctor who ran a number of tests and told me that my levels were really low. I think she said TSH was 14 but no other numbers were given. She also told me that my numbers were low the last time I was checked, but they told me it was fine.
I was increased to 75mg and now since I’m having very heavy periods lasting 11-14 days. It comes back around 2 weeks after it ends.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar? I still feel exhausted and crappy 24/7 so I was hoping to get my dosage increased again but if it’s going to make me have a period even more often it would put me off.
Thanks!
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Roosterteef2015
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Thanks for your reply. Is it common to ask for printouts of results? My doctors/practice aren’t exactly the most helpful in general so I can imagine how they could respond.
I have to get my thyroid checked within the next week or two so I’ll ask for printed results then.
Many of us here always get a print out of our results. Doctors are notoriously bad at treating hypothyroidism and we have learnt that we need to understand our condition and understand what our results mean and know with what results we feel best.
The aim of a treated Hypo patient on Levo only, generally, is for TSH to be 1 or below with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their reference ranges, if that is where you feel well. Keeping a record of our results helps us to know where we need our hormone levels to be to feel well and what dose of thyroid meds achieve those levels. I keep a spreadsheet with the following columns:
Date > Test name > Result > Reference range > Dose of meds > Comments
When you have this information and know what dose of meds you feel best on, you have the evidence to show your GP and put forward a reason for not changing your dose if this is what the GP wants to do and you feel it would be a bad idea.
In the UK we are legally entitled to a copy of our results without charge and without giving a reason. This is covered by the Data Protection Act and they are breaking the law if they refuse to give them to you.
They cannot refuse to give them to you but if any result comes back abnormal and the GP wishes to discuss them with you then you may not be allowed to have the results beforehand.
Never ask the GP for the results, they don't like us having them and feel challenged if we understand them. Always ask the receptionist.
After your test leave it a couple of days then ring the receptionist and ask for a print out. At my surgery the GP has to see the test results before they are released to the patient, and the receptionist has to get permission from the GP before the patient has them.
I 100% get that drs are bad at treating under active thyroids. I’ve only recently been increased from the initial dose of 50mg. It’s been at least 6 years since I was first diagnosed and I’ve never once felt healthy or in any way different than prior to starting medication.
So I called back today for my results and as usual, the receptionist told me the results were “normal”. I asked for the results and ranges and she said I’d need to fill out a form and it would have to go to the gp to approve. 🙄🙄🙄
Not sure if that’s right or not but they don’t let you into our practice atm with COVID. Like even if you have an app they make you wait outside til the dr is ready for you.
I’m going to call back tomorrow and ask to speak with a dr about my results because a few months ago I got my thyroid tested, the receptionist said the results were normal and I spoke to a dr who said my results were low and that they weren’t shocked I felt bad and wasn’t having a period.
they don’t let you into our practice atm with COVID. Like even if you have an app they make you wait outside til the dr is ready for you.
It's the same at ours, you wait outside until they call you in.
she said I’d need to fill out a form and it would have to go to the gp to approve.
We don't have to fill in a form. We just ask for them, the receptionist has to get GP's permission and then they're printed. I think they may be being awkward making you fill in a form. Even a Subject Access Request can be verbal.
I’m going to call back tomorrow and ask to speak with a dr about my results
Hopefully the GP will give the you actual results, make sure you get the ranges as well as these vary from lab to lab.
Yeah I get the feeling that they were being awkward. I would give them the benefit of the doubt and say maybe they didn’t understand me but knowing my drs receptionist I doubt it. They’re not very friendly or helpful in the majority.
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