Devastated! What now?

[FoxyTed]

Dear friends

Does this mean thyroid is not causing all my horrible symptoms?

Received letter today from my private Endo apt…..copy to my GP.

This was results on bottom of letter:

Free T4 16.3

TSH 2.44

Cortisol 482 ( NORMAL RESULTS)

I rang him and asked about T3 and he said he didn’t think he tested that but he would get back to me….. I KNOW HE DID NOT!

I said my T3 from private test with thyroidUK was 3.9 to which he replied I WOULD NOT TREAT WITH THAT RESULT ANYWAY as it is in normal range.

I don’t know now dear people, is he right? Is this something else? Please let me know your thoughts.

Many thanks

[DippyDame]

Please add reference ranges ( numbers in brackets) after the results.

I WOULD NOT TREAT WITH THAT RESULT ANYWAY as it is in normal range

That is rubbish!

Being in normal range means very little...what we aim to find is the exact point within the range where symptoms are resolved.

He sounds clueless.

Post the ranges then we can comment in more detail

[FoxyTed in reply to DippyDame]

Thank you DippyD,

He didn’t even add a range it was just written in handwriting at bottom of letter but it’s the NHS uk ranges. I spent money I needed just to be told my TSH and T4 only. He was arrogant and asking was I depressed! It’s just awful! I know I am not depressed, but it’s a symptom of this. I’m on the couch over 2 months, I’m normally a happy motivated person. His results:-

TSH 2.44….(0.27-4.2)

T4 16.3 (12-22)

NO ….T3 done😡

My FT3 was done with thyroid uk beg of Nov it was 3.9 (3.1-6.8) ALSO done by medichecks May 23 and was 4 (3.1-6.8)

As I said he insisted he would not be treating a FT3 within range.

All my vits etc are fine as I have worked so hard on getting levels up.

Ps never been diagnosed just to be clear.

Thank u so much

[Lalatoot in reply to FoxyTed]

Foxy there is no such thing as a standard UK NHS range. The ranges depend on the testing lab and so they can vary from area to area around the country.My NHS ft4 range used to go up to 25 but when the testing equipment was upgraded the range now goes up to 19.

We really need to be sure of the range to give a valid response because if the top of range is 22, 25 or 19 it would make a difference as to how your result fits in

[FoxyTed in reply to Lalatoot]

Tks lala,

the TSH from my GP (NHS) was same range as Thyroiduk so I’d say the same applies to his T4 result. Medichecks in uk are same ranges.

[DippyDame in reply to FoxyTed]

That is appalling....but not surprising

Most of them are terrified of T3.....when I started to self medicate with T3 ( in desperation) my GP nearly had a fit and thought I was killing myself. She understands things better now and leaves me to self treat! They are not all so open minded!

Maybe a silly question but have you consulted a GP.?...or 2 or 3!!!

In the first instance they are supposed to diagnose and treat hypothyroidism....endos don't usually enter the fray unless there are problems!! But, as you have discovered they are not all up to the job.

It might help to discuss your lack of diagnosis with the manager at your surgery....complain politely if push comes to shove!

See Lalatoot's explanation re reference ranges.

This whole thyroid mess makes me see red...

[FoxyTed in reply to DippyDame]

GP said if TSH is ok then there’s no point in referring you. No point in going to other GPS.

How do I know of practitioners to have a trial of NDT?

I know I’m not right, my body feels like it is fluctuating, my feet like ice, hair thinner etc etc.

[DippyDame in reply to FoxyTed]

Why is there no point in going to other GPs?

Some of them do know how to treat patients!

Worth a punt!

[FoxyTed in reply to DippyDame]

I will look into it. Thanks again. The T3 must be an issue

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to FoxyTed]

To get a diagnosis for hypothyroidism in the UK you need 2 TSH results above range (3 months apart) or one TSH above 10.

Its much harder to get a diagnosis of secondary hypothyroidism with FT4 below range and you would have to see an Endocrinologist for that. FT3 doesn't come into it at all as far as diagnosis goes.

Have you had vitamin levels tested - ferritin, folate, B12 & D3?

[FoxyTed in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks jaydee, I have had all those tested and are ok.