About me!

[Flo2021]

I am 62 year old woman, still working as a nurse doing mostly night shifts with the occasional long day thrown in 😴 and am a proud Mum and Nanna to 3 adult children and 7 grandchildren! In the 3 years since having my hemithyroidectomy, I have suffered many ailments which are affecting me constantly. That's why this group was recommended to me. Looking forward to reading and contributing with my fellow thyroid sufferers!

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum Flo2021,

We are a friendly & supportive group, so do keep posting & asking questions; we are here to help!

So we can offer better advice, can you tell us more about your thyroid condition, eg when you were diagnosed, ongoing symptoms, current medication & dosage, plus blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:

TSH

FT3

FT4

Plus any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)

If your GP is unable to complete all the above (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...

I personally would have a look at Medichecks Advanced Thyroid test, as they are offering 20% off in January. If you are completing a blood draw, we recommend you do this early morning (before 9am) and take your Levothyroxine dose after the draw.

[Flo2021 in reply to Buddy195]

Hello!My last bloods were in March 2023, no T3 done as my GP doesn't do it! TSH was 0.9 and FT4 was 15. I'm on 50mcg levothyroxine. I had hemithyroidectomy in Aug 2020 for suspected cancer, but it was a benign growth. I am suffering with awful muscle ache and fatigue, stiffness in legs, bad cramps, especially in ankles, feet and calves, weight gain, itching especially on top half of body, constant fatigue.....to say a few!!!! I am seeing a rheumatology consultant at the end of the month, my doctor thinks it's rheumatoid, but after reading more online, I am erring towards it being connected to my thyroid?

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Flo2021]

I would 100% recommend you get full thyroid & key vitamins tested prior to your rheumatologist appointment. All your symptoms could be related to not being optimally medicated thyroid wise. I would post again when you have these test results as highly likely you need a dose increase.

[Brightness14 in reply to Flo2021]

It sounds like low FT3. You would need to get it tested.

[SovietSong]

Do you have the T4 range from the blood test last March?For example I use Monitor My Health for private testing and the range is 12-22.All labs use different ranges but I’d guess on just 50mcg daily your very under medicated.You should definitely get full thyroid panel done asap.You could have it done and results received before your rheumatology appointment at end of month.I saw a rheumatologist when I had raynauds in my fingers(plus many of the symptoms you mention)and although I was given nifedipine which eased the symptoms it wasn’t until I increased my levo that the symptoms started to disperse.Being under medicated has so many symptoms it’s crazy.

[Flo2021 in reply to SovietSong]

Thank you. Yes I'll contact my gp tomorrow to arrange another blood test. My FT4 was 15 and the range is 9-19, and TSH was 0.9 and the range is 0.4-5.0

[SovietSong in reply to Flo2021]

Once you get T3 test and range the picture will be clearer regarding conversion etc.I had my T4 up as high as 96% and tried every dose of Levo but still my T3 stayed more or less the same.T3 is the most important number.

[Flo2021 in reply to SovietSong]

My gp has never tested my T3....when I asked about it last year, they said they don't do that test!

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Flo2021]

If TSH and FT4 are within range (like yours), many surgeries across the UK may not be able to access FT3 tests. This is why so many forum members (myself included) test privately.

[FallingInReverse]

Welcome Flo2021 ! We are so glad you’ve found us! You will find this forum to be a total lifesaver.

Your symptom list is very similar to the ones I had when my doctor kept me on 50 mcgs too long. I actually can’t imagine how tired you must be with your long nursing shifts. You are clearly a very determined person!

As I move towards optimal free T4 and free T3 results, almost all my symptoms have cleared up (with just a few remaining : ) ) even things I didn’t think were symptoms of underactive thyroid but were, cleared up - like my rosacea.

One symptom specifically you mentioned - joints - mine are 100% better. For a while I couldn’t even put my feet on the floor in the morning without hobbling around. All thyroid related for me.

Advice above is spot on. You’ll learn an overwhelming number of people have issues with getting T3 tested, many go private. But it’s essential to understanding your thyroid health and treatment.

We look forward to seeing your blood test results when you have them!

[Flo2021 in reply to FallingInReverse]

Thank you! I will enquire about private blood tests locally as I would be interested in getting a fuller picture of my overall results including T3. Hopefully I can get them done quickly!

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Hi Flo, which brand of Levo are you taking as you might find that some really don't agree with you and the excipients could well make you itch 😕 your March results put your fT4 at 60% and have likely dropped lower so really likely you are undermedicated and have low vits and mins which make you feel ancient ☹️

[Flo2021 in reply to TiggerMe]

The brand I take is Accord. I don't recall any vitamin results, think my last B12 was on the low side but within range!

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Flo2021]

Seem to remember there has been a bit of grumbling about Accord recently, possibly an under strength batch... but it's Teva that many don't get on with due to mannitol and acacia

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Really important to get your Vit B, Vit D, folate and ferritin up near top of range to feel vaguely human also magnesium really good for aches and tired muscles

Are you on HRT? Sex hormones often pan when thyroid under replaced 😕