Feeling a walking dead Zombie.

[Goldengirl69]

Hello Everyone, I'm So sick , and Doctors don't care . I'm in bed half time , with horrific joint pain, foggy head, more like dementia, bad Anxiety, endless toilet trouble , severe facial and body flushing . Now I been diagnosed with high blood pressure . When I read about The Thyroid , there are so many vitamins to take , I was taking quite a few at one point . But now only 2 a day , as I feel it could be bad . I'm overwhelmed in illness , what can I do , there is no help .😭😭

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous post

SeasideSusie recommended you get copies of your recent test results.

Have you done this?

If yes, please add actual results and ranges

If not done so yet

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

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

If yes, which brand

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 with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

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)

If On T3 or NDT - day before test split daily dose into 3 smaller doses, spread through the day at approx 8 hour intervals, taking last 1/3rd of daily dose 8-12 hours before test

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?

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

Currently on offer today

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease?

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested in past

Gut issues suggests 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 too. Request coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

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...

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Hi Goldengirl69

When you posted on the forum a month ago you were advised to get your test results from your surgery and how to achieve this as they weren't being very co-operative. Have you now got a print out of your results? If so can you please post them so that we can help you. Please post results and include the reference ranges that come with them (ranges vary from lab to lab so we must have the ranges to be able to interpret your results).

Also, please tell us exactly what thyroid meds you take, also any other medication and supplements that you take.

[Lalatoot]

Hey Goldengirl I was like you. There is hope. First you need to get blood results so that folks on here can maybe see where the problems lie and offer advice.I am now able to get out of my house again thanks to advice and learning from on here. But help can only come if you can provide information.

Blood results, any medication and vitamins you are taking is the start.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Your symptoms may well be due to being under medicated or worsened by being under medicated.

When GPs assess the thyroid function they test a pituitary hormone. The TSH - thyroid stimulating hormone. The TSH stimulates the thyroid but is not a thyroid hormone. Usually in those with a healthy thyroid making the right amount of thyroid the TSH stays in range. When it’s high it’s because thyroid hormones are low and the TSH rises to signal the thyroid to make more hormone. When it drops low drs its think hormones are too high.

The the TSH is not reliable when you have thyroid disfunction. You need to know what the doctors is testing. Are they going by TSH alone of have thyroid hormones FT4 & FT3 been tested.

If practice staff are being obstructive to your records - how can you possibly track your own health and be in a position to advocate & help yourself? you said yourself doctors don’t seem willing to.

So I think your first step is to start pushing for printed copies of your previous results or full online access.

Explain you want the results “for your records” if they ask (they shouldn’t be asking).

You should be able to verbally request a printout, ask them why they require additional steps from the standard requirements, how long will it take? - when can I collect my record?

Remember to be very polite (& calm) but be persistent. Once they know you won’t give up they might be more efficient next time.

In the future you can arrange privately for any tests the Doctor won’t agree to test but first we need a starting point to guide you.

[shaws Administrator]

I am sorry you are so very unwell.

Not one person who has not had hypothyroidism could possibly understand how you feel at present.

Many of us on this forum are here because GPs or endocrinologists have failed to restore our health. Some people who don't have internet connection will have nowhere to turn to.

Many members are more knowledgeable/helpful than the majority of GPs/endocrinologists.

I am fortunate as I am now on the 'right' thyroid replacement that suits my body and am symptom-free at present and hope it continues. If there's changes within tablets occasiionally that could also affect how we 'feel'.

One of the GPs phoned me in the past and made a statement to me and I told him 'that is not correct doctor'. He could not respond to me as he could not state that I was wrong.

,