I wondered if anyone would clarify for me what my 75 year old mother should be saying to her GP regarding her Thyroid results. The GP has told her everything is normal but she has been getting lots of unpleasant symptoms including palpitations and what feels like low blood sugar feelings and just generally feeling rubbish, hair extremely thin
The GP did a TSH which came out at 4.5 (0.3-5.0)
I advised her to do a full panel with medichecks which she did. I myself have high thyroglobulin antibodies so was interested to see if she did too.
The results were as folllows TSH 6.15 (0.27-4.2), Free T3 4.71 (3.1-6.8) and free thyroxine 11.8 (12-22)
Her vitamins were all good and well past halfway through the ranges. Much better than mine!
No antibodies present
My question is, as she has symptoms should her GP at least be trialling some kind of treatment. She has been fobbed off and told not to go back for 8 weeks. They will be doing an ECG too. So,she continues to feel unwell and just has to wait. Thank you for any advice you can give.
Written by
Dawnexe
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If this is all the GP tested then yes he will say it's normal because it's within the range; however, it is high in range but it's said that older people do have higher TSH.
TSH 6.15 (0.27-4.2), Free T3 4.71 (3.1-6.8) and free thyroxine 11.8 (12-22)
These Medichecks results do seem to show a problem. Over range TSH along with below range FT4.
It's possible that the GP wont accept private test results so if he wont then emphasise the out of range ones and ask for him to repeat the test himself to include FT4 and, if possible FT3. You are looking for another over range TSH and FT4 and then I don't think the GP can deny there's a problem.
I looks as though another GP test is arranged for 8 weeks' time and this is quite normal, they usually wont repeat a test until a few weeks have passed and they want two abnormal results, they wont diagnose/prescribe on one abnormal result.
To ensure that the TSH is as high as possible for next test please make sure that your mum has a 9am appointment for blood draw, no later, because this is the highest point of the day and then TSH lowers throughout the day. If they say she can't have a later appointment then make some excuse, eg you are taking her and it's the only time you can do it, etc.
Also print off the list of signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism and tick all those that your mum is experiencing, show this to the GP and use as a lever to get a trial of Levo.
it would be worthwhile asking for her iodine level to be tested because in iodine deficiency fT4 can be low. She should not supplement iodine until it is tested and found to be low.
It's ironic that using TSH as a diagnostic tool can show where you are on the"normal" range...but they don't want to treat anything until your results are much higher. I was in the same position but totally different physically (male, 68, overweight) and had to persuade my doc to start treatment, even though an endo in hospital had told me I had a problem with my thyroid. (I was in following an unexplained accident).
I asked because her ferritin is above the reference interval., not by much admitted but ferritin can be raised if there is infection. Although her CRP isn’t particularly high, I think it’s best when under 1. Definitely make sure to follow the advice already given re timing of next GP test.
Has her blood pressure been checked? And does she have a history of any heart issues or concerns?
Is she taking any supplements that have oils in them? I spoke to one of the best breast (cancer) doctors in the U.K. last summer and he swears by starflower supplements for the women who come to see them. Says it is very helpful for women to take before and / after menopause - even better than evening primrose.
I am 73 and going through the same thing. My Dr just keeps ordering more tests. I am now looking for a holistic dr. Is your mom a type of person who worries a lot.
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