Confused!

[Allcraft]

Was told I had under active thyroid after many blood tests, started on Levothyroxine 25mcgs took for four days then had awful palpitations and fast heart rate, told to stop bloods and have blood tests and check antibodies.

Waited four weeks for tests, got results today, bloods normal no action required!!!!!

Asked about antibodies “ sorry not medically trained “ and I can’t get appointment to see GP!!

Why was I put on medication?? Didn’t think under active thyroid cures itself after four tablets!!!!!!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

As per your last post you need to get printed copies of all your results. healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.

Have you had antibodies tested?

Low vitamin levels can cause intolerance of thyroid hormones. Highly recommend getting vitamin levels tested.

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost.thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

There is also a new company offering walk in & mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

[Allcraft in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you for reply, I did have antibodies checked, I’ve emailed concerns team at my surgery! Really not happy with what I’ve been told/ not told.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Allcraft]

Get copies of your results and we can help you more.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Allcraft]

What time of day are you having your thyroid blood tests?

Highest TSH is at 9am or earlier. If you test later then your TSH will show lower.

Always test fasting that morning, only drinking water.

[Allcraft in reply to Jaydee1507]

Just had phone call, email worked TSH down to 4.07 but antibodies 286 got appointment Monday with GP!

[Starseed56 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi Jaydee just an aside, I checked the new company you mentioned and sadly they don’t offer free blood draw now. 💜

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Starseed56]

Thank you for letting me know. I just checked and you are right. Perhaps it was an initial offer to get new customers. What a shame!

[Allcraft]

Thank you test was at 11.45 and not told to fast😪

[greygoose in reply to Allcraft]

So, your TSH is going to be almost at its lowest. What time did you have the test that lead to your diagnosis?

Doctors wouldn't tell you to fast because they have no idea how they blood test should be done.

Didn’t think under active thyroid cures itself after four tablets!!!!!!

Under-active thyroids are never 'cured', hypothyroidism is for life. And the tablets - levo - are not supposed to cure anything. They are thyroid hormone replacement, not drugs.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Allcraft]

You haven't given the range for the TSH test. Ranges are different in different labs.

Ask to retest in 8 weeks and get the vitamin tests run too in the mean time. Post results in a new post.

Many tips you will learn here are patient to patient tips and won;t be known or mentioned by your GP or nurse.

Antibody levels vary all the time.

Recommend you try a strictly gluten free diet.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Which brand of levothyroxine was 25mcg tablets

Try cutting 25mcg tablets in half and take half in morning and half at bedtime

Slowly build up tolerance

After 4-6 weeks try taking as single dose

Retest 6-9 weeks after starting

ALWAYS test all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Standard starter dose levothyroxine is 50mcg unless over 65 years old

Essential to get vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels tested too

Poor vitamin levels highly likely with autoimmune thyroid disease

Poor vitamin levels make it difficult to tolerate levothyroxine

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.

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

You should have coeliac blood test at diagnosis

[SlowDragon Administrator]

saw on other post Levo was Teva

Teva upsets many people and some are completely intolerant of it

Request different brand

Wockhardt or Mercury Pharma

Wockhardt possibly more widely tolerated so good one to start on