Just seen a different GP, now officially diagnosed with hypothyroidism

[TheSnufkin]

Just wanted to say thankyou to everyone who commented on my post here healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

On the advice of a number of people, I made an earlier appointment with a different GP who immediately diagnosed hypothyroidism and has started me off on 25micrograms of levothyroxine. I've been given another four week fit note to work half my normal hours, and I'm hoping that once I've been on the levothyroxine a month, I will start to feel more like myself and be able to go back up to my normal 28 hours a week.

I didn't manage to get a referral for possible secondary hypothyroid and nor did I get more blood tests for B12 or folate, I just didn't feel like I could ask for any more once the GP had actually said he thought I had hypothyroidism. I'm going to look at supplementation for my low ferritin levels (28 ug/L (normal range 11-307))

I have an appointment for further blood tests in 6 weeks and another appointment with the same GP the week after.

So anyway, thanks again to everyone for your help, I will let you know how it goes!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

TheSnufkin

Good to hear you've been prescribed Levo.

I'm going to look at supplementation for my low ferritin levels (28 ug/L (normal range 11-307))

Please do not self supplement iron. As pointed out by a couple of members in reply to your previous post, your ferritin level suggests iron deficiency according to NICE. You need to do an iron panel to check your serum iron, saturation percentage, total iron binding capacity as well as ferritin before supplementing, this is because if you already have good levels of serum iron and saturation then supplementing can take these too high and lead to toxicity/iron overload.

Either ask your GP to do the full iron panel or do the Medichecks one linked to in reply to your previous post. That will show if you have iron deficiency. Also ask for a full blood count as that will show if you have anaemia. You can have iron deficiency with or without anaemia.

[TheSnufkin in reply to SeasideSusie]

OK, thanks. In that case I'll raise it with the GP when I see him in September.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

you need B12 and folate levels tested too

Look at Medichecks and test thyroid and vitamin levels in 6/8 weeks

[HealthStarDust]

I think you may find you that your GP would be willing to test your vitamin levels. Just let them know you are concerned and the link to hypothyroidism.

Sometimes when we are on sites such as these we forget there are some good GPS out there.

[Regenallotment in reply to HealthStarDust]

So true the locum I saw this week said tell me what to put on the form, tell me everything you are taking or concerned about…. 😇

[HealthStarDust]

Based on T4 instead of stupid TSH. That GO deserves an applause.