GP denies I have Hashimotos

[Mrss25]

Hi there, I was diagnosed privately in January this year with Hashimotos. I am taking 50mg of Levothyroxine. My gp called me into the surgery to discuss this and has said that my thyroid antibodies were fine and that I shouldnt be taking levothyroxine.

I am so confused now and just dont know who to believe. He said he would have diagnosed me with Addisons disease due to my cortisol levels, fast heart rate, fatigue, eye problems and skin issues, and vitamin D deficiency.

I have been going to the doctors for years with these problems and not once have they ever said they would 1. test my cortisol and 2. test my thyroid antibodies. I dont know what to ask to be tested when I go and see them, I rely on their judgement.

I am scared now that I am taking something I do not need.

Has this ever happened to anyone else?

Thank you so much 😔

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous post with results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Free T3 4.5 (3.1-6.8)

FT4 13.5 (12-22)

TSH 2.35 (0.270-4.2)

Thyroglobulin Antibodies H 119.4 (0-115)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies 9.5 (0-34)

Vitamin D 48

Shows very slightly over range thyroglobulin antibodies and low vitamin D

was ferritin or folate tested

Your now on 4000iu vitamin D

Are you still on 50mcg Teva levothyroxine

Teva brand levothyroxine upsets many people

GP should organise testing cortisol levels of Addison’s disease

Test should be early morning before 9am ideally

And referral to endocrinologist for Short synathin test

[Mrss25 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi there,

Now on Accord 50 mg

The private endo tested my cortisol, results are:

Saliva Cortisol - 06:00 - 10:00 * 7.70 <20.3 nmol/L

Saliva Cortisol 12:00 * 4.00 1.6 - 5.6 nmol/L

Saliva Cortisol - 16:00 - 20:00 * <1.5 <6.94 nmol/L

Saliva Cortisol - Midnight * 1.60 <7.56 nmol/L

The gp said he can not test cortisol, it would have to be done with an endocrinologist, which is what I have done, and he said he disagrees with the Hashimotos as my cortisol is low.

The endo I have seen has said that my cortisol is low but has started me on levo with hashimotos diagnosis.

Just very confused as who to believe

[J972 in reply to Mrss25]

How are you feeling?

[Mrss25 in reply to J972]

I still have racing heart sometimes, itchy skin, but I do feel as if I have ever so slightly more energy

[humanbean in reply to Mrss25]

Fast heart rate - tachycardia - is often a symptom of low iron and/or low ferritin.

It can also be a symptom of high blood sugar.

Regarding your thyroid antibodies, the NHS usually only tests TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase) antibodies. They only test Tg (Thyroglobulin) antibodies when thyroid cancer is suspected.

But having in-range TPO and out-of-range Tg antibodies can also indicate Hashi's.

See this link and click on the + signs :

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

I have always had negative TPO and positive Tg antibodies and results like yours and mine appear on the forum quite often.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

What eye issues do you have Mrss25?

[Mrss25 in reply to Buddy195]

Very dry blurry vision with kaleidascope floaters at times

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Have you seen an optician/ ophthalmologist? For dry eyes I would use preservative free drops liberally (eg HycoSan or Hyloforte).

[Mrss25 in reply to Buddy195]

Yes all checked etc

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

It can make things a bit complicated getting a private diagnosis for hypothyroidism. Does your private Endo also work in the NHS? It really helps if they do as then NHS has to accept the diagnosis.

Also the NHS only take into account TPO antibodies and not Thyroglobulin ones as you have. I'm not sure of the reason for that but that is how it is. It doesn't mean you don't have Hashi's, just with a TSH within range and no positive TPO antibodies the NHS will struggle to accept the diagnosis.

The NHS guidelines suggest diagnosis of hypothyroidism with 2 TSH results above range consecutively or one TSH result aabove 10. So you have not fulfilled their criteria.