thyroid

[Eastergate]

my thyroid was half removed many years ago I now feel quite unwell I have mild memory problems could that be related to my thyroid operation I have not ever had any medication for the thyroid I am not sure if I need to take anything

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Do you have any previous results to add?

Make an appointment with GP and request FULL thyroid testing

TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 plus thyroid antibodies

Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Alternatively test privately and come back with new post once you get results

Assuming you need treatment then take results to GP

Are you in U.K.

approx how old are you

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

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

vitamindtest.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...

[Bubblesgold7 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, SlowDragon, for your excellent and thorough information; as I've just been newly diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism, yesterday, and I'm now waiting to be referred, by my heart consultant to an endochrinologist.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Bubblesgold7]

Bubblesgold7

Please write a new post of your own with results and information

Members can advise on what to ask and further testing

Early stage Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms before becoming increasingly hypothyroid can be misdiagnosed as hyperthyroid (Graves disease) ….

important to get correct thyroid antibodies tested to definitely confirm Graves’ disease

[Bubblesgold7 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, I will do that; once I've got my results in. All I know, since yesterday, I've been diagnosed from my thorough, thyroid blood tests with Hyperthyroidism.

[pennyannie]

Hello Eastergate and welcome to the forum :

Well, yes, I would think that you likely need to have a full thyroid panel run - at least a TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 blood test and when with the results post these with the ranges on this forum in a new question.

The thyroid is a major gland, the body's engine, and responsible for full body synchronisation including your physical, mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual well being, your inner central heating system and your metabolism.

A fully functioning working thyroid would be supporting you on a daily basis with trace elements of T1. T2 and calcitonin plus a measure of T3 at around 10mcg plus a measure of T4 at around 100 mcg.

I can only imagine that initially the part thyroid gland works twice as hard to compensate but longer term it seems logical that a short fall in thyroid hormones will happen and become obvious as symptoms of hypothyroidism slowly evolve.

If you go into Thyroid UK - thyroiduk.org - this is the charity who supports this forum and within the website there is a list of both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid symptoms -

This list of symptoms might just help you focus and get acknowledgement from your doctor who should then agree to run the relevant blood test when discussing your health issues at appointment.