New member after advice

[Aogg12]

I have been have symptoms of Hypothyroidism for almost a decade. Extreme fatigue, weight gain, puffy face, hair very fine and dry etc etc. I have had my thyroid tested at the GPS a few times since 2015 but keep telling me normal results.

The last test I saw the actual numbers after research it appears its possible that it might still be Hypothyroidism although GP telling me no

My TSH was 1.88 mu/L (lab range 0.35 to 4.4)

My serum free t4 was 10.6 pmol/l lab range said (9 to 19 normal range)

Is it worth going private? On line range seems to be 12 to 22 for t4? So mine appears low. I've asked gp what if mine should normally be 18 and I've dropped. Reply won't do anything as in normal range.

Exhaustion and Weight gain really getting me down but gp insists nothing is wrong.

I have been low in D2 and B2 but these are now supplemented an levels now ok.

New to this but know I am not right

[Lalatoot]

Aogg welcome. Lots of friendly advice here.Ranges vary between testing labs due to the equipment used so we need to use the ranges that come with our results

You are correct in asking your GP if your ft4 should be higher as you still have symptoms. And the answer is yes not the one they gave you! Would you wear a normal size 3 shoe if your feet were normal size 7?

Others will come along and share their experiences.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

yes definitely

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

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Stop any supplements that contain biotin 5-7 days before all blood tests as biotin can falsely affect test results

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

Come back with new post once you get results

[Marymary7 in reply to SlowDragon]

Is it possible to pay for a thyroid scan without seeing a GP or Specialist.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum Aogg12,

So we can offer better advice, we really need to see results for FT3 as well as TSH and FT4. Its also good to share all antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)

It’s important to always share ranges(in brackets after test results) as these can vary between laboratories.

If your GP is unable to complete all the above tests (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:

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

It is definitely worth getting the above tested and share results in a new post before considering a private endocrinology appointment.

[Brinne]

Hi Aogg12 i have no good advice to offer but I wanted to reach out and say I hope everything gets sorted soon because the symptoms are no fun. I am a new diagnosis of the opposite to you but can relate especially the dry thin hair.

[WaystarRoyco]

Hello Aogg12 . I don’t have any advice for you. However I wanted to tell you that your experience sounds like mine. A decade, if not more, of failing health but not being taken seriously and told everything okay. I did go private in the end and my endocrinologist finally diagnosed hypothyroidism. That sadly wasn’t the end of the story as I don’t think I’ve ever been on the right meds or received the right treatment for me. But at least it was a starting point and hopefully I’m getting there now. My point is: trust yourself on this. Don’t take your doctor’s “no” for an answer.

[SilverSavvy in reply to WaystarRoyco]

Hello Aogg12. My experience was very similar to yours for about fifteen years but I kept on pressing. My GP was very keen to rely on TSH only but the differential between that and my T4 finally persuaded them I had a problem. Turns out after several years of titrating on Levothyroxine that my problem is more T3 (and conversion of T4 to same) than T4, so I would definitely do as the others recommend and make sure you get the T3 tested. Privately if needs be. Because they don't want to give out T3 on the NHS in my area, they REALLY didn't want to test for that. But I got it done myself with the help of this forum and it has made a very great deal of difference.

Also, take all the advice on the vitamins. I struggle with B12, low folate and ferritin. So no wonder my thyroid wasn't working effectively. I was taking good multivitamins but not absorbing them properly in my gut. Genetic problem I think. So now I take pre-methylated vits and that has really helped also. Just in case they still tell you it's not thyroid, you can always help yourself that way, too.

[WaystarRoyco in reply to SilverSavvy]

Hey SilverSavvy I think you meant this reply for Aogg12 so am tagging in the hope that they see it. ☺️

[SilverSavvy in reply to WaystarRoyco]

Sorry Waystar, yes....brain not in gear presently. Thank you!

[WaystarRoyco in reply to SilverSavvy]

No problem at all SilverSavvy !