Sickness benefit

[Baileyleigh123]

I’m just wondering if a underacticve thyroid is actually classed as an illness and can you claim sickness benefit for it as I think with all the symptoms you get it actually should be , chronic fatigue aching joints depression anxiety hair loss and anything else you can mention , my friend is receiving pip for fibromyalgia and the symptoms are very similar to thyroid trouble anyone know about this thanks

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Almost all benefits are based on the issues you have - not the diagnosis. Have a look here:

gov.uk/browse/benefits/disa...

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to helvella]

Was just wondering if anyone is actually claiming sickness benefit for this thyroid trouble on here thanks for the reply

[PurpleNel in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Hi Baileyleigh123 - after 18 months of NHS neglect and gaslighting I have finally had to admit I can't work in my self-employed role any longer. I am claiming sickness benefits through Universal Credit and am also awaiting a PIP outcome. I have Hashimoto's and a mountain of symptoms. Hope that helps.

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to PurpleNel]

Thankyou for your reply I also lost my husband suddenly last year I feel ill most days I have absolutely no motivation and I don’t go anywhere or do anything x

[PurpleNel in reply to Baileyleigh123]

I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. Grief is enough to try and overcome without health problems. I wish I could reach out and give you a hug. Please feel free to private message me if there is anything I can help you with regarding the benefits or anything else.

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to PurpleNel]

Thankyou so much x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Did you get thyroid and vitamin testing done yet?

As recommended in last post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Always test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Come back with new post once you get results

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to SlowDragon]

No because I can’t get to see my doctor he told me I had my bloods done in January and everything was fine but I’ve always had my bloods done every 6 months previously

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Baileyleigh123]

I had my bloods done in January and everything was fine

What were these actual results and ranges

You are legally entitled to copies of all your blood test results

In previous post 5 months ago you said you just increased levothyroxine

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking and do you always get same brand at each prescription

Do you know if you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies?

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease

Like thousands of U.K. patients you need to test privately

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Vitamins should be tested annually

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Low vitamin levels common as we get older too

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 and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

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

Come back with new post once you get results

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to SlowDragon]

I think I will do it private because them doctors just fob you off can’t get an appointment blaming covid as usual X

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Baileyleigh123]

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Stop any supplements that contain biotin a week before blood test

Only do private test early Monday or Tuesday morning and then post back via tracked postal service

Ideally include vitamin testing if you can afford it

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m not taking any vitamins x

[ginid in reply to Baileyleigh123]

I had to go private as NHS don't test the antibodies. My antibodies were quite high and it was only then that the doctor decided to put me on levothyroxine (my TSH had been over 4, nearer to 5 for several years too and they said they were just going to 'watch and wait'!) Glad I went private as it also showed be Vitamin D to be on the lowish side. (a test they would not do on NHS for me) I went with Medichecks but there are others. I am so sorry for your loss. That is a lot to cope with on top of the medical issues. It might be worth looking into regular meditation to help or researching CBD oil to help with the grief as I have read many accounts where people find this helps. Wishing you lots of luck going forward x

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to ginid]

Thankyou very much I will look in to this xx

[Sparklingsunshine]

Hi

I don't know about sick pay, but longer sickness or disability benefits like ESA or PIP are not easy to get, you need to prove you have had the issues for a number of months and are expected to continue to have them.

They are based on your difficulties in managing day to day life, things like preparing food, personal care, getting to the toilet, from mobility like how far you can walk, can you plan a journey? Its not based on having a diagnosis because two people with the same illness will have very different degrees of severity. I have fibromyalgia, I know someone else who has it, she's in a wheelchair and I'm not.

As I said both are tough to get, the forms are long winded and complicated. And there's a high chance you'll be refused unless you have plenty of medical evidence. I was told that when I claimed Attendance Allowance on behalf of my mum a few years ago. Its a good idea to get Welfare Rights or Citizens Advice involved to help you.

P..S my mum was registered partially blind, she was also deaf and has very bad arthritis when I tried to claim AA for her. Despite all that they refused her the first time and I had to appeal. Even though we had letters from the hospital, her GP and we could prove everything we stated on the form.

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Thankyou for your reply I also lost my husband suddenly last year so this has made me depression and anxiety worse I’ve lost all interest in anything on top of the thyroid problems I feel ill every day x

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Hi You could certainly try, PIP can be awarded if youre in work or not, it's awarded to help with the extra costs of being sick or disabled, like if you have to get taxis or use a scooter for example. Or if you pay for a cleaner or gardener or for therapies like private medicine like an osteopath. It's not means tested.

I do strongly advise getting help filling in the forms from citizens advice or a similar organisation. There is also online forums and help. It's a tricky system to navigate and unfortunately it's not always fair. I wish I'd known about getting help when I was trying to get AA for my mum.

P.S I'm so very sorry for your loss and hope you are getting the help you need. Depression and anxiety are crippling and maybe you need some medical help with them.

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Thankyou it’s been hard I’ve been left with anxiety I do have medication for this but it also has side effects x

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Hi I know what you mean, I have fibromyalgia and have widespread pain and rubbish sleep. I've been prescribed antidepressants to help with sleep as some have a sedative effect.

To be honest they helped with the sleep but as I got used to them I found I take to increase the dose which led to some very unpleasant side effects.

Then you end up being prescribed something else to counteract those and before you know it you're on lots of pills. I know antidepressants can be very helpful but I just wondered if you have had any emotional support or counselling?

I know it's been very difficult with covid but there are bereavement helplines available. I hope that you get some support from family and friends.

Sorry if I'm being intrusive but I've been thinking about you all morning and I just want to help

🙂

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

That’s love thankyou so much xx

[DandyThyro in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Yes, it's a long road and designed to put people off. I had the help of someone who had been treating me and so they had a lot of medical knowledge to add to my claim. The more help you get with filling the form in, the better. It's even an exhausting and depressing experience in itself: the questions make you realise just how ill you've been and how much you've struggled to keep things 'normal'. Referring to the disability handbook was also invaluable preparation for the forms and interviews.

[anna-c in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

I agree with your comments, it is best to get advice from a benefit adviser, they are very knowledgeable and can give you some sort of an idea on the success of the application and if refused can help with a mandatory reconsideration or appeal to a tribunal service if it gets that far. Quite a lot of PIP applications are turned down initially but decision over turned on appeal. Its worth persevering if you are in need of the extra money.

[Knip]

Probably not for that alone but under the NHS you might be entitled to free prescriptions.

[Baileyleigh123]

Thanks for the reply I do get free prescriptions x

[tattybogle]

As stated in other replies it's not the diagnosis itself . but the effects on you ability to function that will be considered in awarding benefit following a WCA (work capability assessment )There can be 3 outcomes gov.uk/government/publicati...

" 7. After the WCA

The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments sends a report of the assessment to Universal Credit. A Decision Maker will use that report, along with any other relevant evidence, to decide if you:

* are fit for work

* have limited capability for work (LCW)

* have limited capability for work and work related activity (LCWRA)

8. Fit for work

If you are assessed as being fit for work, you will need to agree to look for work that is suitable for your health condition, and be prepared to work to keep getting Universal Credit.

Your work coach will take into account your health condition or disability when considering what work related activities and availability for work is included in your Claimant Commitment.

9. Limited capability for work

If it is decided you have limited capability for work (LCW), you are not expected to look for work right away.

You will need to discuss with your work coach the activities you agree to do to prepare for work with the aim of working at some time in the future.

Your work coach will take into account your health condition or disability when considering what work preparation activities to include in your Claimant Commitment.

Activities could include, for example, writing a CV and undertaking some training.

10. Limited capability for work and work related activity

If it is decided you have limited capability for work and work related activity (LCWRA) you are not expected to look for work or to prepare for work, though you can volunteer"

it is VERY difficult to get into the 'Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity' group. You get awarded points for such things as cant walk further than 'x' etc etc .. but it is extremely hard to get enough points to qualify. Especially if you have some days that are better than others . A lot of supporting evidence is required, and it is best to get help /advice FROM the START from one of the organisations that help with such claims.

Edit .. even with all the supporting evidence , you can expect to be refused at first (most cases are .. they hope you'll give up and go away), and most people have to go through an appeal process called 'mandatory reconsideration' before eventually getting anywhere.

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to tattybogle]

Thankyou for your reply losing my husband suddenly last year hasn’t helped I’ve been in a very dark place x

[tattybogle in reply to Baileyleigh123]

I'm very sorry to hear that. i imagine you need a hug more than anything else at the moment.. so am sending you one (((HUG)))

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to tattybogle]

Thankyou so much x

[DandyThyro]

Yes, I'm on sickness benefit (those it's called incapacity to work or something on universal credit). I wouldn't have got it with hypothyroidism alone, but over the years the woefully inadequate NHS treatment of my condition has led to some very limiting secondary conditions, including mobility and heart conditions.

[Baileyleigh123]

Sorry to hear that hope your ok c

[HashiFedUp]

It qualifies under the Equalities Act providing your symptoms are chronic and you have difficulties maintaining work and other aspects of your life. Some people recover well on the standard Levothyroxine treatment but many don’t, and these are the people who fall under the Act.