Need advice : Been feeling tired/exhausted for... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

140,947 members166,079 posts

Need advice

Cheapskate profile image
11 Replies

Been feeling tired/exhausted for years. Weight gain, cold all the time. High cholesterol - being treated. Palpitations. A lot of these symptoms I have read can be due to thyroid problems. Had a private blood test done. Results are: TSH 3.71/ Free T4 14.3/ Free T3 4.5. I know these are within range but I feel like I'm really struggling day to day. What can I do? I know doctors won't prescribe anything on these results.Thanks

Written by
Cheapskate profile image
Cheapskate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
11 Replies
Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

Welcome to the forum Cheapskate; I think this is your first post.

Please can you give ranges for your results, as these can vary between laboratories.

It is important to have key vitamins optimal to support thyroid health, so in the first instance ask your GP to test ferritin, folate, B12 and vit D. Otherwise, look to do this privately (as many forum members do).

Have you had antibodies tested to see if you have auto immune thyroid antibodies (aka Hashimotos)?

TSH should be under 2, so this shows your thyroid is struggling right now. Optimising key vitamins will help, but please don’t supplement before testing/ sharing levels with us.

Cheapskate profile image
Cheapskate in reply toBuddy195

Thanks for the swift response. Blood tests ranges - TSH 0.27-4.2 / Free T4 12-22 / my Vitamin D is 70.7 (rang 50-250) thyroglobulin 13.2 (range 0 - 115). Got the blood tests from MediCheck. Thanks

Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator in reply toCheapskate

It’s essential that key nutrients - Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Folate and Ferritin are at optimal levels to support thyroid health:

This is where I like my vitamins to be:

Vitamin D (100-150nmol/L)

Total B12 at top of range or for Active B12 100 or above

Folate (at least half way through range)

Ferritin (half way through range) although some point to 90-110ug as optimal.

Are you currently supplementing any vitamins? Do you have results for ferritin, folate, B12 to share?

What time of day was your blood draw for Medichecks?

Cheapskate profile image
Cheapskate in reply toBuddy195

Hi - thanks for the information. My ferratin was 82 (range 30-650). Vitamin D 70.7 (50-250). No folate results. I do give myself vitamin b12 injections and my B12 is 150 (range 37-188). I took the MediCheck blood at 8 a.m. before breakfast. Thanks

Cheapskate profile image
Cheapskate in reply toCheapskate

Sorry ferratin range should be 30-300

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toCheapskate

What about TPO antibodies?

How low was B12 before starting B12 injections

As you have B12 injections it’s recommended also to supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

Igennus B complex popular option too. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)

McPammy profile image
McPammy

Having a TSH over 2.5 will give you symptoms. It should be around 1.00 ish. My endocrinologist explained this to me. NHS ranges are too wide. Check your antibodies this could indicate you’re having thyroid problems. You could choose a private route to get better help than the lousy NHS.

McPammy profile image
McPammy

My private only Endo properly responded to my situation.

McPammy profile image
McPammy

I was advised on here to see him. He is on the TUK pro T3 list.

Cheapskate profile image
Cheapskate in reply toMcPammy

Hi McPammy - can you let me know where I can find this list. I know my GPs won't treat me so I think it's worth seeing a private endo and see what happens. Thanks

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply toCheapskate

Fill in this form to get the list from Thyroid UK thyroiduk.org/contact-us/ge...

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

really need some advice

I have another doctors appointment in a few days and need to know how to talk to him about my...
pet-lamb profile image

Desparately need advice

I am living in Turkey and the vast majority of the medical profession are reluntant to give you the...

thyroid results need advice

had a test with medichecks and need advice on my results. TSH 0.61. Range 0.27-4.2Mu/L Free T3....
elwins profile image

Need advice

Hi, I have Harshinoto and I'm a little worried, I am on 75mcg and 10mcg three times a day of...
Didie profile image

Me again need advice

Hello I posted the other day about my free t4 being low and my tsh being 2.58 I saw a private gp...
veggielove profile image

Moderation team

See all
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.