I have now had my appointment at the endocrine clinic. The doctor was not really interested in my symptoms as I have ‘bloods normal’. He did not look at the comprehensive Medichecks blood profile only those relating to thyroid although the ranges are all good across the tests. After insisting that I am really not feeling well he has agreed to write to my gp for further investigations and has also ordered a 24-hour urine test and cortisol test. He feels the weight gain, breathlessness, depression is not related to thyroid. He mentioned Cushings. He also asked if I was taking any Biotin - and there is included in my Jarrod B complex. Apparently this can skew thyroid bloods? I did try with the information given here from my last post but no interest. I tried but if I mention being sad/depressed then it is only ‘why’…..not because I feel so awful. Once I have the further results and perhaps an appointment with my gp I will have answers?
As always the support from this forum helps me not feel that I am going mad - something is not right with my body whatever it may be!
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Was your last blood test the Medichecks from 10 months ago? If not - can you share your latest? Did you end up bringing your T4 down?
Good that you will get a cortisol test - just make sure it's the 4 point saliva and not just a one-time blood draw.
Also, although your Ferritin 10 months ago wasn't terrible, breathlessness can be related to low iron, so that too would be helpful to investigate.
Have you also optimized your key vitamins - Vit D, Folate, B12? We are prone to deficiencies in those, and they are each needed for optimal thryoid hormone levels.
There are certainly a list of usual suspects if we think we are nearing optimal Free Ts and still don't feel well. But we start with the Free Ts/complete thyroid panel, and then we can list out other things to tackle.
Breathlessness, weight gain and depression are indeed thyroid symptoms. They might also be caused by other things, but as far as I can tell your doctor doesn't even have the blood work available to be so sure it's not thryroid.
PS - yes, biotin interferes with the tests because for thyroid blood tests, the lab will actually use biotin itself in the process they use to analyze the blood! So biotin in the sample can skew results.
Latest results given on an earlier post were taken in January. I am currently on 100mgs Accord levo. It was a full Medichecks Well Woman and I am not sure how to post all the pages on here.
The reference to Biotin has been helpful - thank you.
I had an early menopause aged 38 (I am now almost 75). At that time the goitre was noticed and for years I had my thyroid results/goitre monitored with no meds. With results being ‘slight dysfunction - might be underactive’. I then went overactive (2012) after a sudden feeling of total panic and going to the surgery. I was on Carbimazole for years. May 2022 thyroidectomy as goitre had begun to cause some problems. The gland was eight times its normal size. Since then dosage/brand of levo has been juggled. I cannot tolerate Teva and am currently on Accord.
I used to be able to walk miles and now I struggle to walk any distance. Yesterday when I went to my appointment, which is at The Cedar Clinic at The Royal Surrey, I parked at Tesco as there is no point in trying to park at the hospital. I then walked up to the clinic which takes about 10 minutes. It is not a hill just a steady incline. By the time I reached the clinic I was really struggling. Feeling breathless and in a panic because of it!
When I was overactive I did have Atrial Fib episodes. Since the TT I have had no episodes (fingers crossed) but I do have ‘fluttering’ which I have had for most of my adult life as I have a slight murmur and that has been monitored.
Yesterday the doctor said none of my symptoms are related to the thyroid or medication but probably heart related. I have had a series of heart tests on a number of occasions - monitoring murmur years ago and then when the AF episodes occurred. All was always technically ok. My cardiologist said that all there is no science between overactive thyroids and AF we often see it!
Yesterday thyroid bloods were taken at 3pm also calcium level checks.
The urine is a 24-hour collection test which I will do next week as I have to eliminate certain foods. Following that there will be a 9am cortisol where I take a tablet the night before. Both of these tests I have done before.
The doctor is going to write to my gp asking for more investigation.
Since the TT two years’ ago my weight has increased by 10kgs and the breathlessness is getting worse. I know I do not feel well. Hopefully I can find some answers.
Thank You for all the responses and I do appreciate all the help and research you have given me over the years.
Normally with Medichecks I take no meds/food as early an appointment I can get sometime around 9am. And yes I realise yesterday’s pm tests at clinic not ideal! But doctor’s comment - it is irrelevant when the bloods are taken! And yes I had taken my morning Levo at around 5am. I split in two x 50 which seems a better way for me to be able to tolerate rather than a hot flush following the med. The doctor not interested in the private tests nor any discussion with info from the forum. At one stage I knew I was getting cross and my alternatives were to walk out or just stand my ground and say - you may think tests are normal but then why do I feel so unwell! I have seen private doctors before who, honestly, I felt were not really good about hyperthyroid conditions! Let’s see what the current tests show and then what my gp can come up with. Once I have the tests and letter from doctor re yesterday’s review - I can go to my cardiologist and see what he has to say. I am under the endocrine clinic because I was overactive and my surgery refers to consultants when patients are overactive. I never see the same person twice, the trek to Guildford and parking just make it of no sense really. I am going to ask if I can be reviewed/treated by my surgery and, if necessary, see a private gp.
The comments about my weight. I dropped to 52kgs when first overactive and it took almost two years to get my weight ‘normal for me’ again at around 60 kgs. I am 5ft6ins. And between 60-62kgs when I had my TT. Now just under 75kgs. I was told that this is my body’s normal weight. I do not drink, smoke, drink coffee or tea. I occasionally eat plain chocolate. Breakfast is three level dessert spoons of porridge with some yoghurt and some ground nuts. Lunch is grilled fish or chicken with loads of veg. I like plant-based meals. Try to stay away from sugary/crabs too much as there is Diabetes in my family. 5pm is usually toast, a boiled egg. I drink loads of bottled water throughout the day. If I do feel I need a snack it is veg sticks or nuts. I garden and do some stretching exercising as well as walk, as best I can, on level prom walks! How can my weight just be steadily increasing?
Can anybody give a reason why ‘upon waking’ I normally have a prolonged hot flush! I normally wake around 5am.
Do you have enough stocks of T4 to try a small increase? Your fT4 is too low and therefore so is fT3 which is likely causing a lot of your issues, if you could get your fT4 higher we'd have a better idea of how well you are converting
I'd also suggest upping your Vit D to get it above 100 🤗
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