How do I know if my thyroid is the problem? - Thyroid UK

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How do I know if my thyroid is the problem?

welsh_girly83 profile image
10 Replies

Hi after some advice, I am not feeling well this week I feel really tired and lethargic. I feel cold on and off and a bit emotional.

I don't know if its because I overdid it a bit last week, I usually pace myself since my thyroidectomy but had a really busy week last week. Or if it is something viral or my thyroid.

I just know I don't feel myself but I don't want to waste my GP's time.

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welsh_girly83
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Are you on levothyroxine?

Not clear from previous posts if you still have Graves’ disease or has thyroidectomy

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 tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

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

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

welsh_girly83 profile image
welsh_girly83 in reply to SlowDragon

I have had a thyroidectomy 2 years ago for Graves disease. I still have thyroid antibodies so I'm not sure if that means I still have graves disease.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to welsh_girly83

Yes…and many Graves’ disease patients find strictly gluten free diet and/or dairy free diet can help reduce symptoms

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Important to maintain OPTIMAL vitamin levels

Test at least once a year

Likely to need to supplement vitamin D and vitamin B complex

welsh_girly83 profile image
welsh_girly83 in reply to SlowDragon

I don't take any vitamins, do I need to order a private test to find out my vitamin levels and then buy which ever ones I'm lacking or do I need to consult GP?I also had RAI for thyroid cancer and have my tsh suppressed.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to welsh_girly83

Request GP test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 NOW

How long since thyroid levels last tested

What results have you got?

Do you test as recommended, early morning, last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Always same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

If GP won’t test ….test privately

Get coeliac blood test done BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

welsh_girly83 profile image
welsh_girly83 in reply to SlowDragon

I get tested early morning (fasting) 24 hours after levothyroxine I have three different strengths of levothyroxine which are all different brands.

My last blood test was Sept 2021

Free t4 20.6 Range - 11-25

Free t3 4.5 Range - 3.1-6.8

TSH 0.24 Range 0.27 -4.2 but I have had that retested recently at GP surgery and it was 0.46

TG <0.1

Thyroglobulin antibodies - 743

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to welsh_girly83

The big problem with multiple makes of levothyroxine, especially if they keep changing, is that it is difficult to be sure whether any problem lies with the levothyroxine, and which one(s)!

welsh_girly83 profile image
welsh_girly83 in reply to helvella

I agree it would take me at least 3 months to figure out which one causes any problems. With 3 different strengths I don't know of any brands that make a 25, 50 and 100.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to welsh_girly83

Advanz Pharma, Teva, Glenmark all do! But there have been many supply issues recently.

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines

I have created, and try to maintain, a document containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.

From Dropbox:

dropbox.com/s/wfhrlmb5983co...

From Google Drive:

drive.google.com/file/d/11z...

welsh_girly83 profile image
welsh_girly83 in reply to helvella

Thank you I will speak to my pharmacy about getting one of these brands

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