Overactive thyroid

[WendyW1964]

My daughter aged 23 has been suffering for years and has researched her symptoms and every one of them points to overactive thyroid.

nervousness, anxiety and irritability

hyperactivity – you may find it hard to stay still and have a lot of nervous energy

mood swings

difficulty sleeping

feeling tired all the time

sensitivity to heat

muscle weakness

diarrhoea

needing to pee more often than usual

persistent thirst

itchiness

Several years ago the doctor has her neck scanned as she had a lump. They ruled out cancer and said she had a large thyroid but no tests were carried out. I have made her through ask my gp request her thyroid be tested and wondered if there are any other blood tests/tests she should be asking for as she has a massive needle phobia so whilst having bloods taken I thought she should not miss any important tests. (It can take 2 hours+ even with magic cream and diazepan!) Any advice would be greatly received.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Welcome to forum

She absolutely needs as thyroid function blood test.   

An ultra sound scan looks at health & size of thyroid but won’t tell you how thyroid functions. I had thyroid swelling scanned & cleared & did have a blood test but the results did not return the thyroid function.  The results included were in range and it was many months before it was realised.

Once retested it showed overactive thyroid levels. 

Many use private blood testing options, mainly as NHS test are not complete. Only testing TSH but not always FT4 & less often FT3 & antibodies & nutrients.

If needle phobia is an issue but sight of blood isn’t this method might be an better option, as it can be done at home by fingerprick sample.  The lancets are concealed so not needle is seen, but if blood droplets is an issue it may be as difficult. 

Link to private testing companies & discounts. 

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

Medichecks thyroid advance is a complete option. 

Best to test at 09:00 fast overnight, stop biotin supplements (can inferred with test process) 3-5 days before. hydrate to allow earlier draw. Test early in week to avoid post delays.  

[WendyW1964 in reply to PurpleNails]

thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Essential to include testing thyroid antibodies and vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Anxiety is common hypothyroid symptom too

Hashimoto’s (autoimmune hypothyroid) can give these symptoms

Also coeliac blood test

all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am

This gives highest TSH 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...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

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...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee 

[gset]

please get her a thyroid blood test as this happened to me and unbeknown to me started to cause AF - it was only my Apple Watch that picked it up and I needed up in ED. I am fine now but it was scary so don’t let it get too far. I had confused symptoms with menopause.