Hyperthyroid Consultant: Hello all I had a... - Thyroid UK

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Hyperthyroid Consultant

Mollop profile image
19 Replies

Hello all

I had a supposed annual health check at my gp & they didnt test thyroid. I had an abnormal liver function test so went privately for blood tests. I had no idea they didnt test thyroid. To my shock my thyroid was hyper & was informed to seek medical attention fast.

I went to a+e & was immediately sent to the heart unit & was diagnosed with hyper & possibly graves. I was given propananol & have discovered that my referral to Endo isnt there! A month I have been waiting. I cant get hold of my Gp.

I am now going privately as have no option. Please can someone recommend a GOOD endo who listens in the Cambridge/Herts/London/Sussex are as Im prepared to travel. Thank you for helping me

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Mollop profile image
Mollop
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19 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

I am very sorry that you have had a shock through being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.

I don't have the name of an Endo but members who do will send you a private message.

Also you can contact Thyroiduk.

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

Mollop profile image
Mollop in reply toshaws

Thank you so much xx

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Welcome to the forum

Can you add what thyroid and vitamin tests you have had

Also you mentioned liver….do you mean cholesterol levels?

Essential to test thyroid antibodies

TPO and TG antibodies for autoimmune HYPOthyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s.

Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms before becoming increasingly hypothyroid

TSI or Trab antibodies tested for genuine HYPERthyroid called Graves’ disease

Medics see low TSH and high Ft4 and often assume it’s Graves’ disease…..where as it might be early stage Hashimoto’s

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

 

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3

plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested for Hashimoto’s (can be mildly raised with Graves’ disease too)

TSI or Trab antibodies tested for Graves’ disease. Might be possible to test via GP

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 with any autoimmune thyroid disease - Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease

20% of Hashimoto’s 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

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 or antibodies

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...

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...

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologist and doctors 

tukadmin@thyroiduk.org

Link about Graves’ disease

thyroiduk.org/hyperthyroid-...

Graves Disease antibodies test

medichecks.com/products/tsh...

Mollop profile image
Mollop in reply toSlowDragon

Wow, thank you very very much xx

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie in reply toMollop

Hello Mollop and welcome to the forum :

What symptoms are you currently dealing with ?

Have you had a result back on which thyroid antibodies have been found to be positive and over range TPO: TgAB: TSI : TRab and the medical evidence of an auto immune thyroid disease ?

Apart from the beta blocker what other medications are you taking ?

Mollop profile image
Mollop in reply topennyannie

Hello and thank you. I have ordered more blood tests via Thyroid UK

TSH <0.02 mU/l 0.27 -4.2

Free T4 35.2 pmol/l 12 -22

PTH 3.5 pmol/L

Alkaline Phosphotase 176 U/l 30-130

Mollop profile image
Mollop in reply topennyannie

Thyroid Peroxidase tpo antibody 1278 iu/ml 0 -60

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie in reply toMollop

I think this more likely to be Hashimoto's auto immune thyroid disease as you detail over range and positive TPO antibodies -

Hashimoto's can run in tandem with Graves AI disease - are there any more antibody readings there ?

Is there a range for the PTH ?

Is there also a Free T3 result and range ?

How are you feeling ?

Feeling hyper or hypo or just a muddle of symptoms and too unwell to identify anything in particular ?

Mollop profile image
Mollop in reply topennyannie

Strangely I feel ok. Maybe a bit hot sometimes & my heart rate can go to 100 if im working. Im under stress anyway xx

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toMollop

With such high TPO antibodies it’s perhaps more likely early stage Hashimoto’s

But it’s possible (but rare) to have both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease running together

Request GP test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 and TSI or Trab antibodies for Graves’ disease

With Hashimoto’s, as cells in thyroid breakdown a temporary excess of thyroid hormones can be released causing short term hyperthyroid type symptoms

As thyroid becomes more damaged thyroid hormone levels drop and eventually become hypothyroid

High cholesterol levels linked to being hypothyroid

Have you had cholesterol levels tested

Mollop profile image
Mollop in reply toSlowDragon

Cholesterol ok. I will post my private blood results I ordered today when I get them. Blimey is it serious? I went into my gp this afternoon, didnt see a doctor & reception told me to do an e consult . They have given me 15mg Carbimazol that I pick up tomorrow. I will also get a vitamin check privately too. Am I going to get seriouly ilill?xx

Mollop profile image
Mollop in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you SlowDragon. The help & information is so appreciated. Ive ordered a fingerprick test and now will also do a venous one. I will get my vitamins done as well xx

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

Welcome to forum

Was only propranolol prescribed?  

This will help relieve symptoms but not the route cause, - the hyper levels.

  If you have continuously high thyroid level this needs treatment with an antithyroid carbimazole or PTU.

Do you have a GP? your GP can test thyroid function and test thyroid antibodies & liaise with hospital to start you on treatment before specialist appointment is arranged.

Ty doing function includes:

  TSH

FT4

FT3

GPs can also arrange

TPOab (Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies) 

TGab (Thyroglobulin antibodies) Which are “autoimmune markers”- appears with BOTH Hashimoto’s & Graves.  Hashis causes transient hyper prior to under active.  Graves continuous Hyper.  

If hyper Graves Suspected a specialist needs to test 

TRab (TSH receptor antibodies - measures stimulating, neural & blocking antibodies)

And / or 

TSI (Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulin).

Did the hospital test any these items as often doctors go by TSH and if this is low conclude you have hyper thyroid levels.  

Obtain a copy of any test results you have had.  

You need a printed copy with ranges, not verbal or hand written information.  You are legally entitled to results. 

 As it’s been a month you must be due a test. Might be quicker to arrange a private test.  As Doctors often won’t / can’t test everything.  Such as FT3 and key nutrients folate, ferritin, vitamin D & B12. 

See List of companies offering different options, some packages include thyroid function, key nutrients and thyroid Antibodies.  Others basic function only.  some also have discount codes available.

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

You order test online the kits arrives via post sample taken by finger prick (extra fee for private venous draw). Post back and results available online quite quickly.  

Is that something you think you could manage?

If you do see a private doctor it is best to have all this information 1st.  

Mollop profile image
Mollop in reply toPurpleNails

Thank you so.much for helping me. I have ordered a private test. Here is a picture as well

Thyroid Stim Hormone <0.02 mU/l 0.27 - 4.2

Free T4 35.2 pmol/l 12-22

PTH 3.5 pmol 1.6 - 6.9

Alkaline Phosphotaae 176 unmol 0 -21

Mollop profile image
Mollop in reply toPurpleNails

Thyroid Peroxidase TPO antibody 1278 iu/ml 0-60

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator in reply toMollop

TPO antibodies are high so you have an autoimmune issue affecting thyroid.  

TPO can be present with both Hashimoto’s and Graves.  Often when it is this high it’s indicates Hashimoto’s and a lesser or weak elevation is seen with Graves. That that doesn’t rule out Graves, your FT4 is clearly high & TSH suppressed you need a repeat function -  but you need FT3 & Graves antibodies testing. 

Usually Graves antibodies test can be arranged by specialist (private options are available but it’s a pricey test & must be venous draw.  

Many people prefer to confirm cause of hyper before starting carbimazole as will drive down levels. Not what you need of naturally dropping anyway.

  How are your symptoms now? 

Mollop profile image
Mollop

Thank you. I feel fine. Lots of energy, slim, I dont sleep well at night, occasionally hot but Ive put itvall down to menopause & stress. I went into Gp this afternoon. I saw noone & was told to do an e consultation. I have been prescribed Carbimazol 15mg once a day. I have to pick them up tomorrow as none in stock! Shall I not take them? I ordered a fingerprick test so thats no good and I will get a venous test privately. This is so much to take in.

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply toMollop

you can get a TRAB antibody test here:

medichecks.com/products/tsh...

Quite expensive. Your surgery really ought to do it to check to see if you have Graves’ disease antibodies.

Mollop profile image
Mollop in reply toTSH110

Thank you so much xx

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