Looking for a diagnosis

[madcheftony1]

I am a 55 yr old male who is undiagnosed and have been for at least 2 yrs. I have had many tests and I have come to the conclusion that it is something to do with the hyperthyroidism and subsequently the Levothyroxine I was subscribed. The Accupuncture I sought on my own; as it had worked for another ailment I had, diagnosed it straight away as Hashimoto’s as she had it also previously.

My symptoms include balance and motor issues, speech issues, sleep issues, and my GP suggested all along that it was stress and anxiety related. I disagreed and she refused me treatment for it as well.

Looking for diagnosis urgently as I am running out of options….?

Thanks to you in anticipation.

Tony

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Hi madcheftony1,

Welcome to the forum.

Please can you share your thyroid test results, (with ranges in brackets) so members can better advise?

I’m a little confused as you say you are ‘undiagnosed’ but state that you take Levothyroxine for Hashimotos. This indicates that you are hypothyroid (ie have an underactive thyroid condition) rather than hyperthyroid (over active).

How much Levothyroxine are you taking?

[greygoose]

Hi madcheftony, welcome to the forum.

A diagnosis of what? Your post is rather confused and difficult to follow. Have you been diagnosed with Hashi's? If not, where did you get the levo?

Balance and motor issues could very well be due to nutritional deficiencies. Have you had your nutrients tested? Vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin.

[Jazzw]

Hello, welcome.

First of all, it’ll be hypothyroidism rather than hyperthyroidism you have. Under active rather than over-active.

Do you have any blood test results to share? What dosage of levothyroxine are you on? I’m a bit confused because you said untreated but then said you’d been prescribed levothyroxine?

Your issues may also be to do with nutrient deficiencies—very very common with hypothyroidism because it causes poor gut absorption if not treated appropriately. In particular you may have one of or even all of low ferritin, low Vit B12, low folate, low Vitamin D.

[madcheftony1 in reply to Jazzw]

Apologies for my mistake I was eventually given 75mg of levothyroxine and felt the symptoms after I started taking them.

My bloods have bee taken on many occasions and originally I was low in Vit D so my GP gave me a dose of this to correct this. I now take Vit D daily supplements and as I have since I can remember taken Daily effervescent Vit C tablets.

My blood readings are as follows:

TSH 2.33

Serum Ferritin 169

Serum Vit B12 692

Serum Free T4 11.8

Serum total 25-OH VIT D Level 72

Brand of Levo is Accord 50mg and 25mg of Teva UK Ltd and as far as I am aware it depends what brand my local chemist has in.

This is all that is available for now.

Regards

Tony

[Jazzw in reply to madcheftony1]

Looking at those figures, even without the laboratory reference ranges, I would say you’re a little undermedicated. I think it wouldn’t be unwarranted to ask to try a raise in dosage to 100mcg a day. Many of us need a level of thyroid replacement hormones that results in our TSH levels falling below 2.0 (and for many of us, we feel best with our TSH below 1.0). There is definitely wiggle room there to see if a raise in dosage helps you feel better.

Also, some don’t get on with Teva—it’s a bit of a marmite brand—and is frequently mentioned here as being a brand that causes side effects or one that doesn’t seem to “work” as well as other brands.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

So do you mean you had Graves’ disease (hyperthyroid) and then had RAI and are now hypothyroid ?

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Which brand of levothyroxine

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Many people find different brands are not interchangeable

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

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

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 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially after Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Have you had vitamin levels tested?

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am 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 and money off codes

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...