Thyroid problems

[Tigglypoo]

Hi I have underaactive thyroid was diagnosed 2 years ago .I take antidepressants and levo 50mg. I am not feeling good very anxious and agitated. I keep blaming my thyroid but Dr says it's fine. Maybe it's my antidepressant sud I change it I am going to talk to dr ,anyone got any advise

[PurpleNails Administrator]

50mcg is a starter dose, so you may need a dose increase.

Do you always use same brand? Do you take levo away from food & other medications & any supplements?

GPs often look at the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) this is a pituitary hormone which signals thyroid to make hormone. It’s assume if the TSH is in the expected range so will FT4 (thyroxine).

That not always the case. For Levo to work well folate, ferritin, B12 & vitamin D need to be optimal but doctors don’t test as standard.

Sometimes thyroxine can be at a good level but not converting to the powerful hormone FT3 (triiodothyronine) and that is rarely tested by NHS.

Do you have access to results? Either online or by obtaining a print out. First see what’s been tested? We may be able to see what from results if levels are not optimal.

If GP refuses to test everything suggested there are private laboratories you can use to get a full picture.

When you test do you fast overnight (drink lots of water). Book draw early in day and delay dose until after?

Also important to avoid biotin 3 days before, a week on high doses. It can skew results.

Full test includes:

TSH, FT4, FT3, TPO & TG Antibodies also folate, ferritin, vitamin D & B12.

Post any results & ranges (ranges vary between labs so important to add for every result)

[DippyDame]

Depression and anxiety are symptoms of hypothyroidism/ undermedication.This may be what is causing your problems.

Since we don't have any lab results for reference it's difficult to comment

BUT...

You should not have been left on 50mcg for 2 years!

50mcg is the starter dose...

After 6/8 weeks once the hormone settles in the body you should have been tested again and your dose increased.

Then test again after another 6/8 weeks

Repeat this until you feel well

Your GP is probably relying in TSH labs for monitoring your dose.....the downfall of many patients!

thyroidpatients.ca/2021/07/...

At the very least you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 labs

Full thyroid test includes...

TSH, FT4, FT3, vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin andvthyroid antibodies TG and TPO

Many of us test privately to do this

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Suggest you have another go at this GP ( or see another one) and ask if they will please increase your dose by 25mcg ( you will most likely need further increases) because lack of thyroid hormone is leaving you struggling to cope.

Refer to this list of symptoms which includes depression and anxiety

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

Hopefully your GP is less clueless about thyroid disease than your treatment to date suggests!

They are all too quick to hand out anti depressants before investigating the cause of the symptoms

You are legally entitled to request lab results from your surgery, if you have/ get those then post them here and members will advise

Good luck....you can feel better!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have copies of recent thyroid test results?

How long have you been left on just 50mcg levothyroxine

Highly likely to be under medicated for thyroid as 50mcg is only the standard STARTER dose levothyroxine

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

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

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) usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested

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)

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

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

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to autoimmune thyroid disease .

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...

Please add most recent results

Or come back with new post once you get results

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Hi Tigglypoo, increased anxiety is by far the worst thyroid symptom I have and it is definitely worse I’d my thyroid medication is not optimal. Remember that optimal is not the same as GP giving you the all clear because your level is ‘within range’. Please post your thyroid blood tests (with ranges in brackets) so members can offer you better advice. Ferritin, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D also need to be optimal. My anxiety massively reduced when these were higher in the range too.