Had a private blood test with medicheck a few weeks ago. Here are the results:
TSH 1.23 mu/L
Normal range 0.27-4.2 mu/L
Thyroxine
16.9 pmol/L
Normal FT4 levels 12-22 pmol/L
Triiodothyronine
4.2 pmol:L
Normal levels FT3 3.1-6.8 pmol/L
I am still feeling really rubbish on 100 microgram levothyroxine
Drs continue to say “I am in range” 2 specialist referrals have been refused with the same reason and that immune thyroiditis can be treated in a primary care setting.
Yet I continue to be exhausted, headaches, aching all over particularly my knees, extremely dry mouth, coated peeling tongue, swollen fingers, dry skin, vertigo, horrendous brain fog (can barely string sentences together), feeling of something stuck in my throat, hoarse voice, increased anxiety as a result.
Currently have a respiratory virus and it’s literally wiped me out, can’t stop sleeping
My question is do I pay to see a private endocrinologist or are they just going to say “your in range” or try a functional doctor??
I have even seen a company dr who said he can’t say my symptoms are definitely thyroid related as there is a crossover of symptoms with grief/peri menopause and hypothyroidism. I said I am on HRT, my menopausal symptoms lessened when I started this. I know my body and something is not right?? Feel like screaming.
I have started thorne basic b and starting vitamin d-3 and k2 this week as advised on here. (Started basic b 2 weeks ago.
I feel like I am going insane and drs reactions are not helping
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Vorney
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was test early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Free T4 (fT4) 16.9 pmol/L (12 - 22) 49.0%
Free T3 (fT3) 4 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 24.3%
GP should increase dose by 25mcg daily
Push hard for “trial increase “
Next step is to get Thyroid antibodies and vitamin levels tested
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
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 TPO and/or high TG 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.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
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 and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before 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
Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee
Get FULL testing BEFORE considering booking any consultation
likely low vitamin levels that need improvement
If high thyroid antibodies, you need coeliac blood test before trialing strictly gluten free diet
Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists
Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations
Have you tried all the doctors at your practice more than once? Have you asked for an increase as a trial? It seems less intimidating asking for a trial.
Endo is right in a wa,y hypo can be managed by your GP but then again some GPs are'nt very clued up and think its good to keep us in the middle of the normal range.
You could point out the NICE guidelines where they say to start someone on a dose by weight.
1.6 x weight in kilos = approx final dose.
Point out the difference in how much you are taking to the calculation.
If you have tried all that then a private Endo may well help but be sure to pick the right one.
email info@thyroiduk.org for a list of Endo's.
Pick one or 2 and start a new post asking for feedback by private message only on those Endo's. Explain a little why you want to see one. The post will be locked.
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