Thank you!

[Jellyfish83]

Hello all,

I've been lurking for a while and just want to thank you for all the advice you give on here. I'm so impressed by the time and effort you put in.

I've been tested loads of times over the years for all sorts of things including thyroid levels and everything comes back normal, normal, normal, but after being fobbed off yet again last Autumn (by a locum as my usual lovely GP at my relatively new practice was away) I've resolved that this time I'm going to get things sorted, even if I end up having to experimentally self-medicate with various hormones (god bless the internet!! 😄).

My usual doc is back and was happy to send me for more tests, and this time I was armed with your collective wisdom and I followed the advice on testing before 9am on an empty stomach and avoiding biotin for a week beforehand and - what do you know! - elevated TSH! He was willing to start me on a low dose of thyroxine straight away but preferred that I test again in 6-8 weeks, which I'm happy to do - I'd rather he's convinced and fully on board, and I can use the time to learn more.

He also expressed interest when I mentioned Dr Durrant-Peatfield's book so I've ordered him a copy. He's really lovely, my GP. Fairly medically conservative, but kind and genuinely willing to help in the ways he believes he can.

I have lots of questions for you all (and no doubt I'll find many of the answers in previous responses), but for now I'll leave it at just saying hello and thanking you all for your generosity in all that you share.

[TiggerMe]

Welcome aboard 👋 Your GP sounds promising 🤞

[J972]

That’s amazing! So very, very pleased for you. Kudos to that GP, too 🤗

[FoxyTed]

hi jelly, welcome🤗

similar to me just starting also - hoping it does something positive for us.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Great news Jellyfish83! Do ask your surgery to test FT4 & FT3 & thyroid antibodies alongside TSH in your next test (the antibodies will show if your thyroid condition is auto immune, aka Hashimotos). Also ask for key vitamins (ferritin, folate, B12 & vit D) as having these optimal supports thyroid health. Do share all tests with us (plus add ranges in brackets as these can vary between laboratories).

[Jellyfish83 in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you, Buddy195. I've been supplementing with all the things you've mentioned and I'm pleased to report all levels are good. T4, T3 and antibodies have also been checked - antibodies are negative, thankfully, and T4 and T3 were higher than last time though only about a third to halfway along the range. If I ask for feedback/advice later I'll be sure to include all figures and ranges 🙂