Borderline hypothyroid

[Mileydog]

Hi everyone. I year ago I had a blood test because I have had neuropathy in my lower legs and feet for some years, no cause for the neuropathy was found but my results showed borderline hypothyroid, my GP gave me the choice on wether to medicate and I decided to leave it for the time being. I should have had another test but I haven’t made an appointment. The thing is I don’t have any symptoms and don’t want to start taking medication which may make me feel ill and as I have severe osteoporosis which I know is adversely affected by thyroid medication. I have read that if there are no symptoms borderline hypothyroid may be better left untreated. As many of you on this site are so knowledgeable I thought I would ask your opinions on this.

[blacklabs]

Thank you for your post. I am borderline but my doctor decided because I had high cholesterol and low heart beat it would be best to put me on meds. Also I was having hallucinations tinnitus . I asked him if it would be possible in the future to come off the meds he said yes. He also checked any damage or problems to my organs they were ok. I have a history of anxiety which he also took into account. I am not an expert but it depends on possibly your health history. I get that this is a big deal. My tablets sat on the side of the bed for three nights not used I had to weigh up the pro and cons. Some days I can feel my goiter swollen so I think for me a good decision. I am on accord 50mg one a day and I am feeling better already this has taken two months also worked with diet to get my cholesterol down.

[Mileydog in reply to blacklabs]

Thank you for your reply blacklabs. I am fortunate to have enjoyed good health through my life. The ‘borderline hypothyroid’ was picked up after I started seeing a different doctor at my practice and had a blood test to see if there was anything to cause the symptoms of neuropathy. Your hesitancy in taking the medication is exactly what I felt about taking the osteoporosis meds and what I now feel about the thyroid meds. The doctor told me once I went on the medication it would be for life. I am pleased for you that you are now starting to feel better and hope you continue to improve.

[blacklabs in reply to Mileydog]

Yes I find it strange that he said I could come off them, But I am well. I have a lot of stress at the moment which is understandable but I am trying to manage for me and my family especially at the moment our daughter. Apart from stress a lot of the time I have been well. I think possible stress caused mine. Its what came first the chicken or the egg. Did I always have this and stress made it worse I think the latter. Either way nice to talk to you and glad we are both getting sorted out. x

[Mileydog in reply to blacklabs]

Sorry your stressed and hope that this improves for you. We are lucky to have all these knowledgeable people to help us, I soon found out that my GP knew very little about osteoporosis.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Hello

Do you have any blood test results? post on here with ranges. For full thyroid evaluation you need

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPOab

TGab

If thyroid levels low nutrients likely low too. Very important to test:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Where did you learn borderline hypothyroid shouldn’t be treated? Often the under activity continues to decrease. If your doctor is aware they are low frequent re-checking very important. If the decline occurs gradually you may not realise how symptoms are affecting you.

Low thyroid can cause peripheral neuropathy & cause low nutrients. Low nutrients can contribute to osteoporosis too. Replacement hormone will help & will not cause or worsen osteoporosis. You would have to take extremely high doses well above the normal range for the medication to affect osteoporosis. Regular blood tests when taking replacement hormone will prevent over medication. Doctors are very careful about it. Under medication is very common over medication is not.

Here a link listing the many symptoms.

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[Mileydog in reply to PurpleNails]

Hi PurpleNails. I did ask for my blood test results last March but was told they were not offering this service at that time because of COVID. I think what I must do is make another appointment to repeat the blood test and ask for the results of those. I have to be fair to my Doctor he did tell me to make an appointment for another blood test and I haven’t done so. I have read a few times on different websites about thyroid medication and bone density, I am not sure how to send links but one of the sites was health.com. Thank you for your reply

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to Mileydog]

I had a look at some of the information on that site.

health.com/condition/thyroi...

This page refers to treating borderline thyroid as risking osteoporosis, but it doesn’t provide an explanation or anything to back it up. It is true that when thyroid hormones climb too high for a prolonged time osteoporosis is hastened. Normal treatment only brings levels into range.

This link to thyroid UK explains the theory & myth regarding osteoporosis. It might help explain the misconception.

thyroiduk.org/further-readi...

Arranging a blood test is a good idea. Your GP may only offer TSH & FT4 if TSH not in range. If you want full test including FT3, antibodies & all vitamins you may have to look at private testing companies.

[humanbean]

I have severe osteoporosis which I know is adversely affected by thyroid medication.

Do you have a reference to any research saying that thyroid medication causes osteoporosis? It isn't something I've heard.

From my reading it is untreated and under-treated hypothyroidism that increases the risk and severity of osteoporosis.

Neuropathy can be caused by low levels of nutrients. For example, low vitamin B6 and low vitamin B12 may both cause peripheral neuropathy. High vitamin B6 will cause the condition too. But hypothyroidism is causative in decreasing nutrient levels because it reduces the levels of stomach acid.

Another possibility - pain in the feet and ankles can be caused by a condition called plantar fasciitis. And if you read this forum many people mention the problem, which resolves with thyroid treatment.

Obviously it is up to you whether you take thyroid hormones or not. But if you decide not to I would urge you to get your nutrient levels tested and take supplements to optimise them. Optimal doesn't just mean the result has to be in range. It has to be in the right part of the range - and that isn't always at the top either. It depends on what is being measured.

[Mileydog in reply to humanbean]

Hello humanbean. I have read on more than one site that thyroid medication may adversely affect bone density, one of the sites was health.com. As I was not given my blood tests results I only know that the Doctor said my vitamin D and B12 was okay. I have had plantar fasciitis in the past and the neuropathy Ihave is nothing like that. I do take many supplements for my Osteoporosis including a multi vitamin. I am going to ask for another blood test and if the hypothyroidism has worsened I will talk to my Doctor about medication. I will also post my results if I am able to get a copy. Thank you for your reply.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Osteoporosis can be caused by or exacerbated by, being hypothyroid

LOW thyroid levels can affect bones ......as can HIGH thyroid levels

Osteoporosis

thyroidpatients.ca/2018/07/...

Important to regularly retest vitamin levels 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.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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

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 .

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/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

High cholesterol is linked to being hypothyroid and statins best avoided

Improving low thyroid levels will naturally lower cholesterol levels

[Mileydog in reply to SlowDragon]

Hello SlowDragon. It is a year since I had the thyroid test, I did phone and ask for a copy of the results but was told that they were not offering this at the moment because of COVID. My GP did say that I was borderline hypothyroid, my vitamin D and B12 were both alright my cholesterol was a little high but only the good cholesterol so he was not worried about that and no mention of antibodies that is all I know. My test was taking early morning I had not eaten but I would have had a cup of tea. I will telephone and ask if I can see my blood test online . Thank you for replying.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mileydog]

You are legally entitled to copies of results and ranges

High cholesterol is linked to being hypothyroid

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.

Suggest you consider getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done privately

Come back with new post once you get results

[Mileydog in reply to Mileydog]

Sorry I said I had a thyroid test, I didn’t it was as far as I know just a blood test to look for anything that might be causing neuropathy.

[Marz]

Lots of good advice already. I replied to a post of yours two years ago - could be worth another read 🥳

[Mileydog in reply to Marz]

Hello Marz I do remember you and have re-read our discussion . As mother used to say ‘ if it’s not one thing it’s another’ but who knows they may be connected , my very best wishes to you .

[Marz in reply to Mileydog]

Wise Mums would also say - one step at a time 🌻

[madge1979]

It always amazes me to hear that Doctors Diagnose a long suffering patient as having “ Borderline HYPOthyroidism “ To me, that’s like saying someone is Borderline Pregnant “

It’s so typical of their attitude towards us.

Best of Luck in your quest for better health .

Mx🌹

[blacklabs in reply to madge1979]

Madge thank you I fully understand what you have said. I asked my doctor if it is hashimotos he said no you would be very ill. I tried kept it at bay diet exercise before being diagnosed. But I will say if I pick /up a virus it takes me a long time to shift it.. But let me state hallucinations and feeling constantly depressed endless crying was /is no picnic.

[Mileydog in reply to madge1979]

To be honest I didn't have a thyroid function test, the problem was picked up with a blood test. My GP left it to me as to wether I took medication and told me to book another blood test, which I didn’t. Naughty but I don’t have any symptoms and I wanted to keep away from the surgery .