Struggling with weight gain and muscle aches/fatigue. Contacted my GP and blood tests showed an abnormalitie in my THS repeat blood done and received a call from GP to say he is making a referral to a consultant endocrinologist. He seemed to think I would need a neck scan and then mentioned possible treatments ie medication/removal of thyroid.
This has all come as a bit of a shock and am considering a private referral but know so little about this condition.
I want to make sure I make the most out of the consultation but have no real idea what to expect or ask.
I also don't know my exact blood results although he mentioned an enzyme.
Any advice or guidance would be appreciated
Written by
Lainey1234
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OK, so your first step should be to ask at reception for a print-out of your blood test results - don't ask the doctor, they don't like us knowing your results! But, it is your legal right to have a copy. You need to know exactly what was tested and exactly what the results were. Then post them on here, with the ranges (in brackets after the results).
Without those it's difficult for anyone to say anything helpful. Your thyroid could be underactive or overactive, you could have an autoimmune problem or a pituitary problem. But, we need to see the blood test results to know. Just telling you your TSH was 'abnormal' wasn't very helpful of your doctor, was it.
However, if he's talking about removal of the thyroid, one could guess that your thyroid is over-active - you don't remove an under-active thyroid. And talking about a neck scan would suggest he suspects an autoimmune problem. But, it's rarely as simple as all that, which is why we need to know more in order to advise you.
When you have blood drawn for thyroid hormones, ideally it should be as early as possible and fasting (you can drink water). If you were prescribed thyroid hormones, then you'd not take the dose of hormones before the test, but afterwards. This is because many doctors only look at the TSH result and pronounce a 'diagnosis'. (TSH drops throughout the day and you want the 'highest result) A "full thyroid blood test' consists of:=
T3, T4, Free T3, Free T4 and thyroid antibodies.
GP should also test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.
Unexplained weight gain is a problem for many people, but once on a dose that suits us, weight shoud reduce as our metabolism will have risen.
If we're overweight, it can be due to being hypothyroid due to our metabolism being so low that weight increases. Once on an opimum dose of thyroid hormone reqplacement, we can reduce.
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
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3
plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested for HYPOTHYROIDISM, caused by autoimmune thyroid disease, also called Hashimoto’s
Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms before becoming increasingly hypothyroid
If HYPERTHYROIDISM is suspected then you need TSI or Trab antibodies tested to confirm Graves’ disease
EXTREMELY important to also test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are common, with both Graves and Hashimoto’s
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 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.
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Big girl panties time
Holy Basil
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