Advice for a very close friend, showing hyperthyroidism symptoms

[PaulB]

My friend is in her mid 50s and has started to see hyperthyroidism symptoms, stomachs upsets, palpitations, fine tremor of fingers, excess sweating, anxiousness, fine brittle hair. Her TSH has dropped to the bottom of normal range, but is still ‘’Normal’’.

Any thoughts?

Paul

[Valarian]

The problem is, although the symptoms you quote can indicate hyperthyroidism, they can also apply to other conditions.

The only way to be sure is to get FT4 and FT3 tested as well. Many GPs only test FT4 if TSH is out of range and may not be able to order FT3 tests unless requested by a specialist, so your friend may need to get the tests done privately. If she goes down this route, she should order TSH, FT3 and FT4 at the same time - someone here will be able to advise on companies offering testing. I would leave it for a few weeks as it will be interesting to see whether TSH remains in range or has dropped below.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Hashimoto’s or Ord’s both often start with transient hyperthyroid symptoms and results before becoming increasingly hypothyroid

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

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

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

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am

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...

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

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

Link about Graves’ disease

thyroiduk.org/hyperthyroid-...

Graves Disease antibodies test - has to be private blood draw, not DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/tsh...