Local Dr

[apeltree]

I read some time ago about a list of local Dr's who will treat underactive thyroid. My Dr says i do not need to be treated as my level is 4.5 and it needs to be 5. Can anybody help with where i can find it. Thank you in advance.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

What is the reference range in your area? It really just needs to be just above the range, no numbers specified.

This quite is from the NICE guidelines:

Treating subclinical hypothyroidism

1.5.2 When discussing whether or not to start treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism, take into account features that might suggest underlying thyroid disease, such as symptoms of hypothyroidism, previous radioactive iodine treatment or thyroid surgery, or raised levels of thyroid autoantibodies.

Adults

1.5.3 Consider levothyroxine for adults with subclinical hypothyroidism who have a TSH of 10 mlU/litre or higher on 2 separate occasions 3 months apart. Follow the recommendations in section 1.4 on follow-up and monitoring of hypothyroidism.

1.5.4 Consider a 6-month trial of levothyroxine for adults under 65 with subclinical hypothyroidism who have:

a TSH above the reference range but lower than 10 mlU/litre on 2 separate occasions 3 months apart, and

symptoms of hypothyroidism.

I would recommend you find a different GP at the same practice if you have 2 consecutive TSH results above the reference range on the NHS. Take information with you to present to them and be firm in a nice way.

Alternatively you can email [e-mail] for a list of endo's.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

first step is to get full thyroid and vitamin testing

Request GP test B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D

Low vitamin levels are much more common as we get older, especially B12

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Thyroid test

You need TSH, Ft4, Ft3 and thyroid antibodies tested

Test early morning, ideally just before 9am and only drink water between waking and test …..this gives highest TSH

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