Are these symptoms thyroid related

[Shenka]

Hi all. Happy new year. I've been diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism for several years now. My gp only does a review annually. Currently I take 125 levothyroxine daily. Recently I have started falling asleep on the sofa evenings, can't get up from kneeling, and most concerning unsteady balance which comes and goes without warning. Does anyone relate to these symptoms? Ty.

[shaws Administrator]

Please make a new appointment with your GP and it should be at the earliest possible.

Request a new Blood test and Blood draw should always be at the very earliest. It is a fasting test (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test.

Request a Full Thyroid Blood test. Don't take thyroid hormons before but after test.

A 'Full Thyroid Function Test is:-

TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

Also ask for your B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate to be checked.

[Shenka in reply to shaws]

Thanks so much for your reply. It's so difficult these days to see a Dr. I'd like to pay privately for a proper investigation if i can't get my gp to

[fuchsia-pink]

Absolutely agree with shaws . Also worth getting your own blood pressure monitor (easily available from Amazom, Boots etc) - as it sounds as if yours might be too low. There's a lot of fuss made about high blood pressure, but I share your issues when mine gets too low [generally I'm around 100/60; if it goes to 85/45 I'm not happy - often it improves if I eat more x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

When were thyroid levels last tested

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Did you get weekly pill dispenser so you remember to take levothyroxine everyday

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with Hashimoto’s

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Low B12 can cause dizziness

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)

Request GP do thyroid and vitamin testing

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

[Minnie43]

Hi I'm not sure but my knees are very stiff when I get up from kneeling too x