GP says all ok so why do I feel so unwell

[kes2008]

have been unwell and getting worse for 4 years with no answers apart from GP saying all in my head .. and it anxiety .. recently had some bloods at go said all fine … but then paid private and had a health check done my thyroid levels as such

TSH - 1.96 my/L

Free t3 - 4.57 pmol/L

Free thyroxine - 12.7 pmol/L

could this be making me unwell even though ranges are just in range ..

muscles cramps, fatigue severe , anemia , headaches, glands up in throat all time , feels like really bad flu everyday . Body hurts all over . Can’t walk with aid. Swelling in legs feet clavicle and neck . I’m really struggling to get a gp to listen any advice

[DippyDame]

could this be making me unwell even though ranges are just in range ..

Very possibly....but we need reference ranges please then we can help

Being in range means little....we aim for the exact point within the range where we feel symptom free

Your GP sounds clueles...not unusual re thyroid disease!

With correct diagnosis and treatment you should feel well again

Reference ranges first please

[kes2008 in reply to DippyDame]

Ref ranges .. TSH - 1.96mU/L range 0.27-4.2

Free T3 - 4.57 pmol/L 3.1- 6.8

Free thyroxine 12.7 pmol/L. 12-22

Vit d is 56nmol/L says 50-75 adequate

Folate serum 2.70ug/L range above 3.89

Vit B12 is high as been taking supplements at 150 pmol/L range 37.5-150 told me to stop taking supplements .. usually low B12 n

Magnesium serum - 1.02 mmol/L range is 0.7-1

All private blood test from medichecks

[DippyDame in reply to kes2008]

Thank you!

You are clearly hypothyroid ...and with inadequate vit D

FT4 is 7% through ref range

FT3 is 39.73% ditto

Both Frees should roughly be approaching 75% through their respective ranges

However it appears that your T4 to T3 conversion is OK..

But your much higher FT3 probably indicates that your thyroid is failing and is pumping out more T3 to compensate for this.

Your TSH apears OK but I suspect, based on the Frees levels, that this is not a reliable marker

Your low vit D will be having an impact on all of this....56nmol/L is too low. It needs to be 100nmol/L or higher

Unfortunately medics rarely look beyond TSH and this is causing untold misery for many

FT3 followed by FT4 are the important labs but medics frequently don't understand this

thyroidpatients.ca/2021/07/...

Your upcoming antibodies test will reveal if Hashi's is the cause of hypo.....the treatment is the same though a gluten free diet helps many

It looks as if you need a starting dose if 50mcg levothyroxine followed by another test in 6 weeks when an increase to 75mcg is likely needed. Depending on results this may need to be repeated

Meantime work to raise vit D....best to include vit K2 which helps ensure calcium goes to the bones not into soft tissues

The BetterYou vit D + vit k2 spray is recommended.

We're all here to help. Just ask!

Good luck

Better You

[SlowDragon Administrator]

welcome to the forum

Presumably you are NOT on levothyroxine?

But trying to get diagnosed

Ft4 looks very low - need to know range

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 at least once year minimum

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

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

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

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

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/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

See detailed reply by SeasideSusie

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

[kes2008 in reply to SlowDragon]

thanks I have just ordered the thyroid antibodies test from medichecks so will see what that says before I rebook with another GP .. yep he was clueless … x ..

[kes2008 in reply to SlowDragon]

I take my own blood trained phlebotomist was my job before I had to give it all up due to my health problem have taken early retirement from nhs .. x

[serenfach]

It is not in your head, its in your neck as your thyroid is clearly struggling. So many of us have been told it is in our heads before getting a diagnosis. The bit in italics is what to say to your clueless GP. I hope you get it sorted and feel better soon.