Very poorly and wondering if this could be due to high thyroid hormone levels?

[Jirachi]

Hi, i am 20 years old and have been very poorly since 2nd January. I got sudden chest pains that really scared me i had to call an ambulance. Since then i have been so ill with heart palpitations, chest pain, neck and jaw pain, a sharp pain in my chest/back area that feels like something is stuck there, feeling like i cant breathe, severe anxiety constantly that wont go, blood in poo, lump in neck, bad headaches, pain under armpits, stomach pains, diarrhoea and just pain everywhere. I have been to the doctors and gotten bloodtests but they said that i need b12 injections and my thyroid is a bit higher than normal and showing signs of underactive and overactive thyroid. Does this sound like it could be my thyroid causing this??

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Are you in the U.K.

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease

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)

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/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

[PurpleNails Administrator]

You sound like you are having a terrible time. I hope you feel better soon,

There are many symptom the can be associated with thyroid.

First thing you need to do is obtain your results and share them on here. Online access ideal, if you can set up. Or contact reception and get a printout of your results (with ranges).

With hypo (under active thyroid) your TSH would be high and FT4 and FT3 would be low. When hyperthyroid (overactive) your TSH low and thyroid levels. FT4 & FT3 high.

You need to see what each result is. If the GP can’t interpret the thyroid results (and by saying they show hyper & hypo it sounds like they can’t) are they discussing it with a consultant or referring you to a specialist?

[Jirachi in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you, i will get a print of my results and share them as soon as i do. They said it was about 14.6 so higher than usual

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to Jirachi]

If that’s a TSH results it would be high. 10 is considered overtly high. So your levels likely low & you would be hypothyroid. The TSH itself doesn’t cause symptoms it produced by pituitary and stimulates the thyroid to make new thyroid hormone. When they are under range or low you experience symptoms. Labs should automatically test FT4 & FT3 if TSH is high.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jirachi]

If that’s TSH that’s 14 no wonder you’re feeling terrible

TSH of majority of healthy population is 1-1.5

Always get copies of your blood test results at each test and keep good records of how you feel on each dose

Very important to always get thyroid tests done early morning, (and if/when on levothyroxine last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test)

If on levothyroxine TSH should ALWAYS be under 2

[Jirachi in reply to SlowDragon]

Its what came up in my blood test results, the doctor said that it ranges from 2-14 for thyroid levels but mine is past that? I’m not on levothyroxine and i can’t get any more blood tests done for about 4 more weeks and they can’t do much more until i get my bloodtests done. I have never been in so much pain and anxious before

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jirachi]

That sounds more like Ft4 result

Get hold of actual results and ranges

Obviously gut issues and blood in stool need investigation

[Jirachi]

Thank you, i am getting worried about it and its causing me bad anxiety. The bloodtest have ruled out everything else is fine so i have no idea what else it could be

[Jirachi]

The stool has a lot of mucus with it, and the blood is there when i wipe and in the toilet bowl. Thank you for discussing this with me

[Jirachi]

Not yet, the blood has came on in the last week so i am needing to call again tomorrow to talk to them about this. The blood is bright red but my stool is very dark

[Jirachi]

Thank you very much for being supporting, it means a lot. I will let you all know as soon as i find out 😊

[humanbean]

I agree with Scrumbler. Having blood in your poo is definitely something that needs to be checked out urgently.

Some of the commoner causes of blood in poo are :

Haemorrhoids (aka Piles)

Anal Fissures

Bleeding ulcers in the stomach or intestines

Polyps anywhere in the bowel - not all polyps bleed, and they may only bleed intermittently

Endometriosis that has penetrated the bowel - in this case the blood would coincide with your periods

The higher up the digestive system the blood is coming from the darker it is when you finally see it. For example, if you had a bleeding stomach ulcer the blood will be digested by the time it reaches the outside world. In this case the blood would look like black coffee grounds. If it comes from a polyp that is, say, 30cm/12 inches from the outside world, it might be be maroon or very dark red. If it comes from the rectum or the anus it would be very bright red (because it is fresh, and not digested).

If you are asked to give a poo sample for testing, please take account of the advice in this post :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

...

Since then i have been so ill with heart palpitations, chest pain, neck and jaw pain, a sharp pain in my chest/back area that feels like something is stuck there, feeling like i cant breathe, severe anxiety constantly that wont go

Many of these symptoms could be caused by anaemia/anemia. Note that the NHS doesn't really acknowledge that anaemia can cause chest pain. But in the US they do. Compare the symptom lists in the following two links :

UK : nhs.uk/conditions/iron-defi...

USA : drugs.com/mcd/anemia

I have suffered with low iron and anaemia for much of my life and always suffered with anxiety and depression. I never knew there was a connection until fairly recently. I started treating my own low iron in the last 10 years (roughly). When I finally got my ferritin (iron stores) up to mid-range my anxiety had disappeared, and my depression was substantially reduced.

In view of your blood in poo problem your doctor(s) should treat you seriously and do thorough testing. Be aware that they might just test ferritin, and if they do that isn't sufficient. Inflammation can make ferritin rise, for example, but it doesn't eliminate the possibility that you could be bleeding.

If you want to test your own iron and ferritin levels privately, it can be done with a finger-prick test :

medichecks.com/iron-tests/i...

You don't need anyone's permission to do the test and you don't need a doctor to interpret the results. If you post the results and the reference ranges people on the forum can help.

[NIKEGIRL]

Hi. Just to put your mind at some what ease. My daughter had stools that had blood in them and she was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome after scopes. Try not to think the worst. You have received good advice to get it checked out that way you can get professionals on board to help. Sorry this is a rough time generally. You have support here. Kindest regards always NIKEGIRL

[Jirachi in reply to NIKEGIRL]

Thank you, its a scary time. I appreciate the support.

[NIKEGIRL in reply to Jirachi]

It is scary and our minds jump to the worst possible scenario. It is hard. You are on a site where there is good support and knowledgeable people who are helpful. Reach out anytime. You’re up late. I’m in New Zealand.

[Jirachi in reply to NIKEGIRL]

I’m in the uk, what time is it in new zealand? Also are you doing okay?

[Angel20]

Hello Jirachi

With all the symptoms you have been having chest pain, blood in poo, etc, all these need to be examined at the hospital, your GP must send you to appropriate medical specialists to check you out. Blood in the poo is not to be ignored.

[KittyAO]

Just to say I am sorry you are feeling unwell. I had blood in my poo and pains in my left side, I was taken very seriously and had a colonoscopy to check me out. Fortunately there was no major problems but is still very scary while you are waiting to hear an outcome.

The people on here are great and incredibly helpful. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[Hettybettyyyy]

You and me could be twins... same symptoms how did you get on?

[Jirachi in reply to Hettybettyyyy]

I’m still poorly, it’s lasted from January and still going. What are your symptoms? Lets see if we both have the exact same!

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

Cold hands feetBrittle nails breaking with ridges or lines

Chest pain from left arm and left back shoulder blade

Anxiety severe cant drive function

Apathy depression

No libido

Mood swings

Pregnancy complications x2

Heavy periods

Irregularities

Brain fog

Cant focus concentrate

Feel sad all the time.

Breathless

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

So sorry your not well I can sympathize completely

[Jirachi in reply to Hettybettyyyy]

A lot of your symptoms is what I’m feeling as well! I hope you manage to feel better soon! Ill list mine, ihave a new few ones aince writing this post

- itchy and causing myself to rash from itching everywhere

- blurred vision, floaters, flashing lights

- voices in my head saying horrible things

- anxiety all day

- breathlessness

- chest pain all over

- random pains everywhere in my body

- headaches everyday

- head pains

- weakness

- pains in legs and arms

- heart palpitations

- devolved acne on my back and head even though i have never had it

- weird small red spots/dots in random places of my body

- feeling like nothing around me is real

- forgetting if i have just had a wee

- i was going to the toilet about 6 times a day for a poo with bad tummys for weeks and had blood in poo (which has cleared off now)

- had dizziness

And probably more. Its been really scaring me incase its something serious, i am crying all the time and scared i might not wake up because there is so much going on with me and im back and forth to the doctors. We are in the same boat! You can talk to me if you want someone to talk to!

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

Tinnitus Head pain

Brain zaps

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

Also jirachi I have blood when I wipe

[Jirachi in reply to Hettybettyyyy]

I also get brain zaps and tinnitus too!! You might be experiencing what i am!!

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

It's the only post I've seen that is identical in symptoms I also forgot to add lightheadedness dizziness and floaters too but its really the chest pain that scares meIt seems to be getting worse it's there all month bit worsens around ovulation and bleeding....I've read it's to do with hormone fluctuations. But the symptoms are definitely thyroid b12 related. I think anyway. This has been happening for 4 yrs and I feel like I'm dying

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Hettybettyyyy]

Gluten affects and causes all these problems

[Jirachi in reply to Hettybettyyyy]

4 years!? I’d be living scared everyday, i know exactly how you must feel. The chest pain scares me too and I’ve had to call the ambulance put a few times because i thought it was something serious but everything seemed fine. The doctors think its my anxiety causing all the pains but it can’t be, my anxiety has gotten really bad because i think theres something really wrong with me. Do you think our pains could be fibromyalgia?

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

I personally dont think its fibro but then all autoimmune disorders start in the gut.. so it could be. But this kind of severity of symptoms seems like deficiency of some kind.. either nutritional or anemia. Our bodies need replenishing and a diet overhaul. And on top of that replacing whatever is causing the deficiency ie; b12, folate, thyroid, ferritin and d. They all I am learning work together. I am currently taking progesterone cream as I'm 38 and thought this could be menopause but its not. But jumping out my skin at night for no reason is not normal

[Jirachi in reply to Hettybettyyyy]

I do have anemia and i am low in folic and folate too and my thyroid levels were slightly raised so I’m hoping it could just be me being low in folic and folate but the chest pain came on suddenly out of nowhere and ever since that day i have gotten worse

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

You sound hypothyroid to me.. and b12 low folate go hand in hand. Do you have children. I have 5 and cant function or get out of bed I feel like I'm going to drop dead ... I really hope you can get to the bottom of this.

[Jirachi in reply to Hettybettyyyy]

I have no children, i have been staying in bed as well and i am so tired and lack of energy i can’t even brush my hair. I hope you pick up soon, it must be hard to look after 5 children on top of being so unwell

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

Very... and I know about the hair

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

Is jirachi an Indonesian name?

[Jirachi in reply to Hettybettyyyy]

No its just my username, its a Pokemon name. How are you feeling today?

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

Oh haha.. not good today very achey chest and very depressed do you have some family to support you with this? Your so young... but you can see theres something wrong and that's good.. you'll get to the bottom of it just keep pushing for answers. I completely understand how you feel. Just do a process of elimination so start with your b12 and work your way through everything.. thyroid folate.. d ...iron and remember iron and ferritin are 2 different things and gps only test your haemoglobin where its actually your ferritin stores that leaves you depleted. Get yourself off gluten and onto some good quality selenium zinc and b complex no fillers

[Jirachi in reply to Hettybettyyyy]

I do have family that are supporting me through this which I’m really grateful for. Do you have family supporting you? Thank you! I am going to keep trying to get answers, i have done so many blood tests but nothing shows that there is anything wrong apart from my folate, folic and thyroid so its hard to find out what could be wrong with me

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

That's good.. yes I do but it's hard when your not well and they want to understand but it's so complicated. I really do think you need to concentrate in the areas you've been diagnosed in. And that may take some months to feel a difference.. but like I said dont accept 3 monthly b12 injections for most it's nowhere near enough and gps won't prescribe anymore because they cant. Look into tracey wittys website it's full of info and try and get your thyroid sorted I think you'll be on your way. Keep in touch xx

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

I think you need to look at your b12 and your gluten intake and also your ferritin stores.... and your thyroid

[Jirachi in reply to Hettybettyyyy]

I just had my b12 injections so they should give me a boost and i also forgot to mention my armpits are also really painful and possibly swollen as well

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

Mine too... and my lymph nodes swell up before period up to my jaw and under arm... keep me posted on your injections how often are they giving them to you??

[Jirachi in reply to Hettybettyyyy]

I got 6 injections one every other day and i have had them all now, i will probably be getting tablets for it now

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

Those were your loading doses by the sound of it. They should tell you when your getting your others and the frequency but many self inject because it's not enough. I suggest you join the b12 Facebook groups and here on health unlocked too you'll get support and advice. It's all so confusing but basically the drs are undereducated when it comes to diagnosing b12. What were your results?

[Hettybettyyyy in reply to Jirachi]

It takes time so I've heard...