What tests should I take?

Female age 72. Sleeping has been a problem for many years, a bit better after starting to take Selenium. Cold feet and bottom again for a few years, especially in bed. Increasing fatigue and very soft stools. Puffy eyelids. Have a good organic diet, enough exercise, I am an enthusiastic allotmenter. I would like to treat myself but I don't know where to start.

[greygoose]

Hi LoulouDolly, welcome to the forum.

Treat yourself for what? Do you have any sort of diagnosis? Or do you suspect you have a thyroid problem? Any blood test results to share with us?

This is a forum mainly dedicated to thyroid problems, but before we could offer any suggestions, we would need a lot more information.

If you want testing for thyroid, you need:

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

Tg antibodies

vit D

vit B12

folate

ferritin

possibly zinc and copper

maybe even cortisol

but get the first 9 tests first. Detials of private blood test companies here:

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

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Request GP run tests for autoimmune hypothyroidism and low vitamin levels

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

Low vitamin levels increasingly common as we get older too

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test

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...

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

[Cornwaller]

Could you tell us about your symptoms, any diagnoses and medication?

Best wishes