Worried about Thyroid

[Scottash]

How to be healthier and more aware of my health concerns

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

WElcome. Tell us about your health concerns. Do you have a diagnosis? Do you think you might have hypothyroidism? People here are very helpful but they need a few details.

[Scottash in reply to Jaydee1507]

Yes I have hypothyroidism.

I desperately need to know what I should be eating and jow I keep in control of my condition

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Scottash]

OK, I'll try and keep things short and simple.

Some people find that gluten needs to be removed from their diet. Others also need to remove dairy in addition to gluten, still others need a third thing, soy to be removed. Remove them for a couple of months then try re adding to see how you feel.

Eat whole, fresh foods as much as possible. Some people drink bone broth to help leaky gut which can be caused by Hashimoto's.

What were your latest blood results? Please include the range for each result. You may not be on enough hormone.

[Scottash]

I have never been given any results. Bloods taken once a year and thats it

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Scottash]

Scottash

You wont be given your results unless you ask for them.

Does your surgery have online access to result? If so register for it. If not ask the receptionist (not the doctor) for a print out of your results. In the UK we are legally entitled to our results without question or charge. If you are asked why you want them you don't have to say but if you feel the need just say "For my own records" and leave it at that.

The receptionist may have to get permission from a GP but that usually is done the same day, so just ring up, ask for the print out and say you'll pick it up tomorrow (or whenever is convenient for you).

[Scottash]

Ok thankyou for your help

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Can you give us a bit more info

Helpful to add on your profile wether you are male or female

Approx age?

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

How long on this dose

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning, ideally around 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels last tested

Is the cause of your hypothyroidism autoimmune thyroid disease?

Assuming you are in U.K.?

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

 

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

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.

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

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

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 just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

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/

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Always take levothyroxine on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

No vitamin supplements or other medications within 2 hours

Some like calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, iron, HRT or ppi not within 4 hours